Which is the best American Airlines credit card?

The best American Airlines credit card will depend on how often you fly American Airlines, whether lounge access is important to you, and your tolerance for paying an annual fee. If you travel frequently on American Airlines, are currently paying for an annual Admirals Club membership, and don’t mind the annual fee, the AAdvantage Executive World Elite Card offers good value. The steep annual fee is offset by the complimentary Admirals Club membership alone, which can cost upwards of $850 annually.

Can American Airline miles be transferred?

American AAdvantage miles cannot be transferred to other airlines or rewards programs. However, American Airlines AAdvantage miles can be used to book flights on American and partner airlines. You can also transfer American AAdvantage miles to another account, however there are fees for doing so.

Which credit card earns American Airline miles?

All of the AAdvantage branded credit cards earn at least 1 American Airlines AAdvantage mile per dollar spent on the card. Each credit card has its own earning structure and many have bonus categories where you can earn additional miles per dollar spent. Selecting an AAdvantage credit card that earns at least 2 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines purchases and offers bonus category earnings that match your spending habits is that fastest way to earns lots of American Airlines AAdvantage miles.

Do American Airline miles expire?

American Airlines AAdvantage miles expire after 24 months of inactivity in your AAdvantage frequent flyer account. You can keep your miles from expiring by earning or redeeming miles with American Airlines or one of its partners. Each time you make a qualifying activity, your expiration date is extended by 24 months.

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The 10 Best Credit Cards for American Airlines Flyers [Lounges, Upgrades, Priority Boarding & More]

Updated: July 1, 2025, 10:06am CDT

Edited by:

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Table of Contents

The 10 Best Cards for American Airlines Flyers — Overview
The 7 Best Personal Cards for American Airlines Flyers
The 3 Best Business Cards for American Airlines Flyers
Earning AAdvantage Elite Status with American Airlines Credit Cards
Final Thoughts

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Did you know the American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer program is the world’s oldest airline loyalty program? It’s been around since 1981 and is also the world’s largest frequent flyer program.

American Airlines credit cards also carry the AAdvantage brand, as the cards are closely aligned with the frequent flyer program.

Cardholders can expect perks that include lounge access, companion tickets, flight benefits, flight credits, elevated earnings, a faster path to AAdvantage elite status, and more.

If American Airlines is your chosen airline, having an AAdvantage-branded card should be a top consideration — especially if you’re interested in earning American Airlines elite status.

We’ll share our choices for some of the best American Airlines cards for American Airlines flyers and the reasons you’d want to have an AAdvantage-branded card in your wallet.

Hide SummaryShow Summary

Best Overall Cards for American Airlines Flyers

Here are our top overall picks for the best cards for flyers who frequent American Airlines:

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^® — Best Overall AA Personal Card
Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^® — Best Card for Admirals Club, Earning on AA Purchases, AAdvantage Elite Status, AA Flight Benefits
AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Silver World Elite Mastercard^® — Best for Earning on AA Purchases, AAdvantage Elite Status, AA Flight Benefits
The Platinum Card^® from American Express — Best for Global Lounge Access, Earning on Flights, Redeeming Flexible Rewards for AA Flights
Chase Sapphire Reserve^® — Best for Redeeming Flexible Rewards for AA Flights, Statement Credits for Travel Purchases, Travel Insurance Benefits
Citi^® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard^® — Best AA Business Card

The 10 Best Cards for American Airlines Flyers — Overview

American Airlines has over a dozen cards from which to select. We’ll cover the details of our top picks and highlight the cards that can bring extra value to the American Airlines loyalist.

The 7 Best Personal Cards for American Airlines Flyers

AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Card — Best Overall AA Personal Card

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^®

U.P. Rating

Status lovers will enjoy the variety of benefits that come with this card. From free bags to reduced-price inflight beverages, AA still flies in style.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^®

Status lovers will enjoy the variety of benefits that come with this card. From free bags to reduced-price inflight beverages, AA still flies in style.

Welcome OfferEarn 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $3,500 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
80,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$1,120

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee, $99 after the first year

APR

20.24% — 29.24% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite card is a great option for American Airlines frequent flyers who want to earn more miles on their daily purchases and score perks such as free checked bags, preferred boarding, and savings on inflight food and beverage purchases.

Pros & Cons

Pros

2x miles at restaurants, gas stations, and eligible American Airlines purchases
1x miles on all other purchases
1x Loyalty Point per $1 spent on all purchases

Cons

Does not earn transferable rewards
Charges an annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $3,500 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening
Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage^® mile earned from purchases
Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after you spend $20,000 or more in purchases during your card membership year and renew your card
No Foreign Transaction Fees
First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation
Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.24% — 29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 0%

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Program

The AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite card is a good choice for receiving American Airlines benefits without paying a high annual fee.

Miles will add up quickly with double miles on purchases with American Airlines, at gas stations, and restaurants.

Why We Like the Card for American Airlines Flyers

2x miles for every dollar spent on American Airlines purchases, gas stations, and restaurants
Priority boarding, a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 4 traveling companions
$125 flight discount after spending $20,000 on the card each card anniversary year
25% discount on inflight food/beverages
Generous welcome bonus after meeting minimum spending requirements
Low annual fee that is waived the first year
Elevated Loyalty Points earnings on AA hotel bookings

AAdvantage Executive World Elite Card — Best Card for Admirals Club, Earning on AA Purchases, AAdvantage Elite Status, AA Flight Benefits

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®

U.P. Rating

Access to Admirals Clubs, tons of added benefits, and a way to spend towards elite status make this a great option for American Airlines loyalists.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®

Access to Admirals Clubs, tons of added benefits, and a way to spend towards elite status make this a great option for American Airlines loyalists.

Welcome OfferEarn 100,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $10,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
100,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$980

Annual Fee

$595

APR

20.24% — 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The AAdvantage Executive World Elite card is a must-have for frequent American Airlines flyers who want Admirals Club lounge access, to earn more miles on their daily expenses, and a fast-track to American Airlines AAdvantage elite status.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Earn 10x miles on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through aadvantagehotels.com and aadvantagecars.com
Earn 4x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, and 5x miles after you spend $150,000 in purchases in a calendar year
Earn 1x mile and 1 Loyalty Point on all other purchases

Cons

$595 annual fee
Doesn’t earn many miles on all other eligible purchases

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
Admirals Club^® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage^® mile earned from purchases
First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.24% — 29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees:

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

If you’re a frequent American Airlines flyer and lounge access is important, you’ll want to consider the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card.

Admirals Club memberships can cost up to $1,650 for an annual household membership (or 165,000 miles) and $850 for an annual single membership (or 85,000 miles).

Cardholders receive complimentary membership as long as they have the card. Plus, they can bring immediate family members or up to 2 guests. This means a family of 3, 4, or more could enjoy the club while traveling together without extra charges. Lounge benefits are also extended to partner lounges where American Airlines has a reciprocal agreement.

Authorized users added to the card ($175 fee for up to 3 users) also receive Admirals Club access.

Swivel chairs at the Admirals Club at Boston Logan Airport — A key benefit of the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card is Admirals Club membership. Image Credit: Chris Hassan

Why We Like the Card for American Airlines Flyers

Complimentary Admirals Club membership for cardholder; guest access for immediate family or up to 2 guests
4x miles on American Airlines and 10x miles on hotels/car rentals via aa.com
Earn Loyalty Points toward AAdvantage elite status
Free checked bag for cardholder and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation
Priority boarding, priority check-in, and priority TSA screening lines for cardholders and up to 8 companions
Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement statement credit
25% statement credit for inflight food and beverage purchases

Hot Tip:

The AAdvantage Executive World Elite card is the best American Airlines card for lounge access, earning on American Airlines purchases, and flight benefits. The card does come with a higher annual fee.

AAdvantage Aviator Silver Card — Best for Earning on AA Purchases, AAdvantage Elite Status, AA Flight Benefits

The AAdvantage Aviator Silver card is also a solid personal card for American Airlines flyers.

While the AAdvantage Aviator Silver card is not available for new applications, it can be secured as an upgrade from the AAdvantage Aviator Red card (which we’ll detail next).

Why We Like the Card for American Airlines Flyers

3x miles on American Airlines, hotels, and car rentals
Bonus Loyalty Points toward AAdvantage elite status for spending on the card
Flight Cents lets you round up your purchases to the nearest dollar to earn more miles
A free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 8 traveling companions
Preferred boarding
Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
Up to $50 in statement credits annually for inflight Wi-Fi purchases
$25 per day back as a statement credit for inflight food and beverage purchases made with the card
$99 companion ticket after spending $20,000 on the card

AAdvantage Aviator Red Card — Best for Earning on AA Purchases, Free Checked Bags, Companion Ticket

Holding the AAdvantage Aviator Red card is a prerequisite for upgrading to the AAdvantage Aviator Silver card. The card provides a foundation for earning American Airlines miles, basic flight benefits, and qualifying for a discounted companion ticket after spending on the card.

Why We Like the Card for American Airlines Flyers

Generous welcome bonus
2x miles on American Airlines purchases
Flight Cents
Free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 4 companions
25% statement credit for inflight food/beverage purchases
$99 companion ticket after spending $20,000 on the card in a calendar year

AAdvantage MileUp Card — Best Card for Earning on AA Purchases with No Annual Fee

American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^®

U.P. Rating

Earn 2x miles per dollar spent on American Airlines flights and at grocery stores, all without needing to pay an annual fee.

American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^®

Earn 2x miles per dollar spent on American Airlines flights and at grocery stores, all without needing to pay an annual fee.

Welcome OfferEarn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
15,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$210

Annual Fee

APR

20.24% — 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^® is perfectly suited for those looking for a way to earn more American Airlines miles and earn Loyalty Points, all with a $0 annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

2x miles per $1 on American Airlines and grocery store purchases
1x miles per $1 on all other purchases
25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases

Cons

Other cards are more rewarding for frequent American Airlines flyers
Charges a 3% foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
No Annual Fee
Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services
Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
Earn 1 AAdvantage^® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage^® mile earned from purchases
Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flight

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.24% — 29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

If you’re looking to earn American Airlines miles and want a card with no annual fee, the AAdvantage MileUp card may be a good option. You’ll still be earning 2x miles on AA purchases.

Why We Like the Card for American Airlines Flyers

No annual fee
2x miles on American Airlines and grocery store purchases
25% rebate as a statement credit for inflight food and beverage purchases

Hot Tip:

In addition to the associated American Airlines benefits, Citi and Barclays-issued cards may come with car rental collision damage waiver; lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed baggage insurance; trip cancellation, trip interruption, or trip delay coverage; travel, emergency, and roadside assistance; no foreign transaction fees; and shopping protections, including purchase protection and extended warranty coverage. Coverage will vary by card issuer. Each card’s Guide to Benefits provides full coverage descriptions, terms, and conditions.

Amex Platinum Card — Best for Global Lounge Access, Earning on Flights, Redeeming Flexible Rewards for AA Flights

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome OfferYou may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

$695 annual fee (rates and fees)
Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel^® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel^®.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club^® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
$200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
$199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card^®.
Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
$695 annual fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Platinum card has all the key benefits of a premium travel rewards card. The card earns flexible rewards that are redeemable with a wide selection of Amex transfer partners versus the limited option of flights with just 1 airline alliance.

The card also comes with a long list of travel perks and protections.

Why We Like the Card for American Airlines Flyers

5x Membership Rewards points on flights purchased from American Airlines or from AmexTravel.com, on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year
Complimentary access to over 1,400 lounges worldwide in the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including access to the prestigious Centurion Lounge network and Priority Pass Select membership upon enrollment
Transfer Membership Rewards points earned on the card to Oneworld partners and redeem them for American Airlines flights
Redeem points via AmexTravel.com for American Airlines flights
Up to $200 airline incidental fee credit each year so long as you select American Airlines as your qualifying airline when enrolling for the benefit

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card — Best for Redeeming Flexible Rewards for AA Flights, Statement Credits for Travel Purchases, Travel Insurance Benefits

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome OfferEarn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
100,000 points + $500 Chase Travel credit

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$2,000

Annual Fee

$795

APR

20.24% - 28.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
5x points on Lyft rides
4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

Cons

$795 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^® every 4 years
Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music - all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 - a value of $250 annually
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.24% - 28.74% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

One downside of an airline-branded credit card is that redeeming miles is limited to that airline or an alliance partner airline. With the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can redeem rewards for any airline or transfer points to travel partners for even greater potential value.

The card also provides the economic value of statement credits for travel purchases and valuable travel insurance benefits.

Why We Like the Card for American Airlines Flyers

4x Ultimate Rewards points on airfare booked directly with an airline
The cardholder and 2 guests receive complimentary access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide with a Priority Pass Select membership (upon activation)
Ultimate Rewards points earned on the card can be transferred to Oneworld partners and then redeemed for American Airlines flights
A $300 annual travel credit that can be used for American Airlines flights
The card comes with several premium travel insurance benefits

The 3 Best Business Cards for American Airlines Flyers

AAdvantage Business Card — Best AA Business Card

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Business™ World Elite Mastercard^®

U.P. Rating

A low annual fee, a free checked bag, and tons of perks and discounts make this card valuable for business owners who frequently travel with American Airlines.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Business™ World Elite Mastercard^®

A low annual fee, a free checked bag, and tons of perks and discounts make this card valuable for business owners who frequently travel with American Airlines.

Welcome OfferEarn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
65,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$910

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99

APR

20.24% – 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

With the Citi^® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®, you get a card that helps you earn more miles on all of your business expenses, and gives you perks like preferred boarding, free checked bags, and discounts on inflight purchases, while also helping you qualify for higher levels of elite status.

Pros & Cons

Pros

2x miles per $1 spent on American Airlines purchases
2x miles per $1 spent on cable and satellite providers, at gas stations, on car rentals, and on select telecommunications merchants
1 Loyalty Point per $1 spent

Cons

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99 annual fee
Does not earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Designed for businesses
Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening
First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries to reduce travel costs and boost your bottom line
25% savings on American Airlines inflight Wi-Fi when you use your card
Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants, and gas stations
Earn 1 AAdvantage^® mile per $1 spent on other purchases
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage^® mile earned from purchases
No foreign transaction fees

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.24% – 29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

If you’re a business owner and fly American Airlines, the AAdvantage Business card could be a fit for earning American Airlines miles. Not only will you earn bonus miles on American Airlines purchases but also on select business purchases.

Business travel could also be more comfortable with preferred boarding, and you (and your travel companions) will receive free checked bag benefits, even during personal travel.

Why We Like the Card for American Airlines Flyers

2x miles on American Airlines and telecommunications, satellite and cable providers, car rentals, and gas stations
Preferred boarding and free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 4 traveling companions
25% statement credit for inflight Wi-Fi purchases
Companion ticket for $99 after spending $30,000 on the card in a calendar year

AAdvantage Aviator Business Card — Best for Earning on AA Purchases, Companion Flight Ticket, Earning on Select Business Purchases

Business owners may also consider the AAdvantage Aviator Business card. We like that the card earns 2 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines and select business purchases. Traveling business owners will also appreciate the savings of having free checked bags.

Why We Like the Card for American Airlines Flyers

2x miles on American Airlines purchases, telecommunications, office supply stores, and rental cars
Free checked bag for cardholder and up to 4 companions
Discounted $99 companion ticket after spending $30,000 on the card in a card member year
5% miles bonus on the total number of miles earned annually
25% statement credit for inflight food/beverage purchases
Annual fee of $95 which is not waived the first year

Bottom Line:

While the American Airlines business credit cards are similar, the best card for earning miles will be the one that closely matches your spending mix. Beyond that, consider the welcome bonus, annual fee, and whether benefits match your preferences.

Amex Business Platinum Card — Best Business Card for Global Lounge Access, Earning on Flights, Redeeming Flexible Rewards for AA Flights

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome OfferEarn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
150,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to   $3,300

Annual Fee

$695

APR

18.49% - 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight and hotel packages booked through Amex Travel
Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection (as of 10/2024).
Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year)

Cons

High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

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Card Highlights

Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 10/2024.
Unlock over $2,000 in statement credits with business and travel benefits annually* on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply. Learn more. *After meeting qualifying spend thresholds
New! Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
New! Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
Make the Business Platinum Card^® work even harder for you. Hilton For Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Benefit enrollment required.
5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com
1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
1X points on other eligible purchases
Use the Business Platinum Card^® and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
$695 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 18.49% - 29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Business owners who fly American Airlines should also consider the Amex Business Platinum card. Similar to the personal version, the card offers elevated earnings on flights and worldwide lounge access.

Additionally, you’ll find several statement credits for travel-related purchases.

Why We Like the Card for American Airlines Flyers

5x Membership Rewards points on American Airlines flights purchased via AmexTravel.com
Complimentary access to lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection
Redeem rewards for premium American Airlines flights and receive a 35% point rebate
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement
Up to $209 CLEAR Plus statement credit
Up to $200 airline incidental fee credit each year that can be used on American Airlines so long as you select American Airlines as your qualifying airline during benefit enrollment

Bottom Line:

The best overall card for the American Airlines flyer may not be an AAdvantage branded credit card. Premium travel rewards credit cards can offer broader lounge access opportunities, greater rewards on travel purchases, flexible redemption options, and premium travel benefits.

Earning AAdvantage Elite Status with American Airlines Credit Cards

American Airlines A321T Flagship Business welcome champagne — One of the benefits of airline elite status is complimentary upgrades. Image Credit: Daniel Ross

The benefits of airline elite status are many. Free checked bags, priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, and access to dedicated assistance, make elite status the goal of many American Airlines flyers.

Unfortunately, having an American Airlines credit card alone will not give you elite status. Fortunately, having an American Airlines credit card will help you achieve elite status.

First, let’s review the requirements for achieving American Airlines AAdvantage elite status:

AAdvantage Gold — 40,000 Loyalty Points
AAdvantage Platinum — 75,000 Loyalty Points
AAdvantage Platinum Pro — 125,000 Loyalty Points
AAdvantage Executive Platinum — 200,000 Loyalty Points

Achieving elite status requires earning these Loyalty Points during the status qualification year from March through February of the following year. You can earn Loyalty Points in the following ways:

Flying on American Airlines and partner flights
Spending on an AAdvantage-branded credit card
AAdvantage Dining
Shopping via the AAdvantage shopping portal or the SimplyMiles program
Qualifying hotel bookings, vacation packages, rental cars, and cruises
Paying utility bills with select vendors
Miles for Opinions surveys

Hot Tip:

Did you know you can achieve American Airlines AAdvantage elite status without flying? To learn how to shortcut the process by earning Loyalty Points, you’ll find some great tips in our article on the topic.

Earn Bonus Loyalty Points by Spending on American Airlines Cards

While AAdvantage-branded American Airlines credit cards earn 1 Loyalty Point for every dollar spent on the card, these 2 American Airlines cards offer additional bonus Loyalty Point earnings:

AAdvantage Executive World Elite Card — You’ll reach elite status faster as you’ll earn 10,000 additional Loyalty Points after reaching the 50,000 Loyalty Point level in your AAdvantage account. You’ll earn an additional 10,000 Loyalty Points when you reach 90,000 Loyalty Points.
AAdvantage Aviator Silver Card — The card offers bonus Loyalty Points for spending on the card. You’ll receive 15,000 bonus Loyalty Points when you spend a total of $50,000 on the card during each status qualification period (March through February).

Bottom Line:

You’ll earn 1 Loyalty Point toward AAdvantage Elite status for every dollar you spend on an American Airlines credit card. The AAdvantage Executive World Elite card and AAdvantage Aviator Silver card each allow you to earn additional Loyalty Points when reaching designated Loyalty Point levels in your AAdvantage account or specific card spending levels.

Final Thoughts

The best American Airlines card will be the one that closely matches your priorities for earning American Airlines miles, the benefits you prefer, and your comfort level for paying an annual fee. The good news is that every type of American Airlines flyer can find the perfect American Airlines card.

Finally, if you have American Airlines elite status and an AAdvantage-branded card would duplicate some of those benefits, you may want to consider a premium travel rewards card. The Amex Platinum card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offer far more premium travel benefits and flexible redemption options, which can result in more potential value for your rewards.

The cards also include travel insurance benefits, shopping protections/benefits, and statement credits for select purchases.

Card	Welcome Offer and Annual Fee	Earning Rates and Top American Airlines Benefits
Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^®	80,000 milesCiti^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^®Earn 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $3,500 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. Annual fee of $0 intro annual fee, then $99 after the first year	1x to 2x milesCiti^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^® Earn 2x AAdvantage^® miles at restaurants Earn 2x AAdvantage^® miles at gas stations Earn 2x AAdvantage^® miles on eligible American Airlines purchases Earn 1x AAdvantage^® mile on all other purchases $125 American Airlines flight discount after spending $20,000 per card anniversary year Free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 4 traveling companions Preferred boarding
Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®	100,000 milesCiti^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®Earn 100,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after spending $10,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. Annual fee of $595	1x-10x milesCiti^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^® Earn 10x AAdvantage^® miles on eligible hotels booked through aa.com/hotels and on eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars Earn 4x AAdvantage^® miles spent on eligible American Airlines purchases Earn 5x AAdvantage^® miles after you spend $150,000 in purchases in a calendar year on eligible American Airlines purchases for the remainder of the year Earn 1x AAdvantage^® miles on all other purchases Access to Admirals Club for the cardholder and 2 guests or immediate family Dedicated check-in areas, expedited airport screening, and priority boarding Free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 8 traveling companions
AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Silver World Elite Mastercard^®	No welcome offer available. Annual fee of $199	3x miles on American Airlines purchases Free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 8 traveling companions Preferred boarding Up to $50 in statement credits annually for inflight Wi-Fi purchases
AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Red World Elite Mastercard^®	Earn 60,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days. Annual fee of $99	2x miles on American Airlines purchases Free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 4 traveling companions Preferred boarding
American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^®	15,000 milesAmerican Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^®Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Annual fee of $0	1x-2x milesAmerican Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^® Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases Earn 1 AAdvantage^® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage^® mile earned from purchases
The Platinum Card^® from American Express	NEW OFFERAs High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.The Platinum Card^® from American ExpressYou may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)	1x-5x pointsThe Platinum Card^® from American Express Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® Point on other purchases American Express global lounge access Up to $200 airline incidental fee credit (enrollment required)
Chase Sapphire Reserve^®	100,000 points + $500 Chase Travel creditChase Sapphire Reserve^®Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve. Annual fee of $795	1x-10x pointsChase Sapphire Reserve^® 10x points on eligible Peloton equipment and accessory purchases 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases 5x points on Lyft rides 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly Earn 3x points on all dining purchases worldwide Earn 1x points per $1 spent on all other purchases Worldwide lounge access Transfer points to travel partners Up to $300 travel purchase statement credit
Citi^® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard^®	65,000 milesCiti^® / AAdvantage^® Business™ World Elite Mastercard^®Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99	1x-2x milesCiti^® / AAdvantage^® Business™ World Elite Mastercard^® Earn 2x AAdvantage^® miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, and on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations Earn 1x AAdvantage^® miles spent on other purchases Free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 4 traveling companions Priority boarding Companion Certificate for domestic travel after you spend $30,000 or more in purchases in a cardmember year
AAdvantage^® Aviator^® World Elite Business Mastercard^®	Earn 80,000 AAdvantage bonus miles and a $95 statement credit after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. Annual fee of $95	2x miles on American Airlines purchases Free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 4 traveling companions Preferred boarding
The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express	150,000 pointsThe Business Platinum Card^® from American ExpressEarn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)	1x-5x pointsThe Business Platinum Card^® from American Express Earn 5x Membership Rewards^® points on flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight and hotel packages booked through Amex Travel Earn 1.5x points on each eligible purchase at: U.S. construction material Hardware suppliers Electronic goods retailers Software & cloud system providers Shipping providers Earn 1.5x points on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus. Earn 1x points on other eligible purchases American Express global lounge access 35% points rebate on premium flights Up to $200 airline incidental fee credit (enrollment required)