Best American Airlines AAdvantage Credit Cards: Comparing Benefits and Perks

If you’re loyal to American Airlines or want to earn more AAdvantage miles when you travel, an AAdvantage credit card can get you perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and accelerated miles earning. You have numerous options when selecting an American Airlines-branded credit card that aligns with your travel and reward-earning priorities.

Let’s look at the features and benefits of each Citi-issued American Airlines card, how they can help you earn miles, and which cards can accelerate your path to American Airlines AAdvantage elite status.

Citi AAdvantage Credit Cards

Each Citi American Airlines card comes with a generous welcome offer, the ability to earn AAdvantage miles on every purchase, and an array of travel benefits.

AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Card (Best for Free Checked Bags)

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

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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.

All information about Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^® has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

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 Offer

Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

50,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$700

Annual Fee

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

APR

19.49% to 29.49% 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 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 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.
• 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: 19.49% to 29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 0%

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Program

The welcome offer bonus fluctuates, but your bonus miles are awarded after you reach a spending threshold in the first 3 months after card approval. You earn 2x miles with American Airlines, at restaurants and gas stations, plus 1x miles on all other purchases when using the AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite card.

Travel perks include:

• Free checked bag on domestic itineraries for you and up to 4 traveling companions
• Preferred boarding on all flights operated by American Airlines
• 25% savings in the form of a statement credit when purchasing food or beverages on board during your journey.

With no foreign transaction fees, this card can be a good choice for American Airlines travelers who want basic perks without a big annual fee.

This card has a $0 intro annual fee, then $99 after the first year.

AAdvantage Globe Card (Best for Racking Up AA Miles)

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Globe™ Mastercard^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The AAdvantage Globe card gives you more value on every American Airlines flight and helps you qualify for elite status.

All information about Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Globe™ Mastercard^® has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Globe™ Mastercard^®

The AAdvantage Globe card gives you more value on every American Airlines flight and helps you qualify for elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.

60,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$840

Annual Fee

$350

APR

19.49% to 29.49% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The AAdvantage Globe card is an excellent option for American Airlines frequent flyers who want a card that offers benefits on every American Airlines flight and makes it easier to qualify for American Airlines elite status.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 6x miles on eligible AAdvantage Hotels bookings
• 3x miles on American Airlines purchases
• 2x miles at restaurants, including takeout and delivery

Cons

• $350 annual fee
• Doesn’t earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^®bonus miles after $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
• American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles are not available if you have received AAdvantage^® bonus miles for a new AAdvantage^® Globe™ account in the past 48 months or if you converted another Citi credit card account on which you earned a new account bonus in the last 48 months into a AAdvantage^® Globe™ account.
• Every calendar year, receive four Admirals Club^®Globe™ Passes.
• Global Entry^® or TSA PreCheck^® application fee credit of up to $120 every 4 years.
• Earn 6 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent on eligible hotels booked through aadvantagehotels.com.
• Earn 3 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
• Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent at restaurants, including takeout and delivery.
• Earn 1 AAdvantage^® miles for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% to 29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

Sandwiched between the AAdvantage Executive card and the AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite card is the AAdvantage Globe card. It’s for frequent American flyers who want to fast-track to American Airlines elite status but don’t fly or spend enough with American to go with the AAdvantage Executive card.

The AAdvantage Globe card comes with:

• Flight Streak bonus (for up to 15,000 loyalty points per year)
• Free checked bag for you and up to 8 traveling companions
• Companion certificate for $99 plus taxes and fees starting in your second cardmember year
• 4 Admirals Club Globe Passes annually

AAdvantage Executive Card (Best for Admirals Club Access and Global Entry Credit)

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

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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.

All information about Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Legend Mastercard^® has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Legend 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 Offer

Earn 125,000 AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $15,000 in purchases in the first 5 months of account opening.

125,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,750

Annual Fee

$695

APR

19.49% to 29.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The AAdvantage Executive 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 12x 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

• $695 annual fee
• Doesn’t earn many miles on all other eligible purchases

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• For a limited time, earn 125,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $15,000 in purchases in the first 5 months of account opening.
• The only card with Admirals Club^® membership. Membership includes access for you and up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you.
• Global Entry^® or TSA PreCheck^® application fee credit of up to $120 every 4 years.
• Earn a 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 50,000, 90,000, 165,000 and 240,000 Loyalty Points in the same status qualification year.
• 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: 19.49% to 29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

The AAdvantage Executive card may be a great choice for the frequent traveler who wants high-end travel perks and Admirals Club lounge access.

You earn 12x miles on AAdvantage Hotels and AAdvantage Cars, 4x miles on American Airlines, and 1x miles on all other purchases.

Travel perks include:

• Admirals Club membership for the cardholder and up to 2 guests or immediate family members
• Up to $500 back on eligible American Airlines Vacations packages and experiences (up to $250 back from January to June and up to $250 back from July to December)
• Up to $100 back on eligible inflight and Admirals Club purchases
• Up to $180 in Lyft credits: when you take 3 eligible rides in a month, you’ll earn a $15 credit, up to $180 annually
• A free checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions on domestic itineraries
• Priority check-in, boarding, and screening for the primary cardholder
• Up to $120 back on prepaid rentals with Avis or Budget
• $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every 4 years
• Earn 10,000 Loyalty Points after reaching 50,000, 90,000, 165,000, and 240,000 Loyalty Points in the same status qualification year
• Omni Hotels & Resorts Campion status and a free night reward after a stay of 2 or more nights
• Complimentary Avis President’s Club status

The card comes with a hefty $695 annual fee, but the welcome offer and Admirals Club membership more than offset this expense. A new membership to the Admirals Club costs $1,400 for general members or $1,200 for anyone with Executive Platinum status, so the membership alone is worth the annual fee.

This card does not charge foreign transaction fees, and it comes with World Legend Mastercard benefits.

Hot Tip: With the Loyalty Points program, you can earn AAdvantage elite status just through credit card spending.

AAdvantage Business Card (Best for Companion Certificate)

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

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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.

All information about Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Business™ World Elite Mastercard^® has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

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 Offer

Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after spending $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

19.49% to 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

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 spending $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 at 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: 19.49% to 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

If you’re looking for a card that earns miles for your business expenses, the AAdvantage Business card might be a good choice.

Of course, you can get started with a bank of miles from your welcome offer once you meet the initial spending threshold after card approval. You then continue to earn 2x miles on sll American Airlines purchases, telecommunications merchants, car rental merchants, and gas stations. All other purchases earn 1x miles.

Since additional employee cards are issued for no extra charge, you can be sure all your business expenses (even purchases made by your employees) earn miles. You can also use online tracking tools to keep tabs on your business expenses.

Earn a $99 domestic economy American Airlines companion certificate after making $30,000 or more in purchases on the card during each account anniversary year. You receive a companion ticket for $99 plus government taxes and fees when you purchase a qualifying domestic American Airlines economy ticket. Travel is valid on flights within the 48 contiguous U.S. states.

Travel perks for this card include:

• A free checked bag on domestic itineraries for you and up to 4 traveling companions
• Preferred boarding on all flights operated by American Airlines
• A 25% statement credit when purchasing inflight food, beverages, and Wi-Fi with the card

This card does not charge foreign transaction fees and comes with World Mastercard benefits. There is an annual fee of $99, which is waived for the first year. 

AAdvantage MileUp Card (Best for Earning Miles With No Annual Fee)

American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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

All information about American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^® has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

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 Offer

Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after making $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

15,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$210

Annual Fee

$0

APR

19.49% to 29.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

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 making $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from date of account opening for balance transfers only. After that the variable APR will be 19.49% – 29.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
• Balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each credit card balance transfer, whichever is greater. Balance Transfers must be completed within 4 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
• Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% to 29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

The AAdvantage MileUp card is a good choice for anyone wanting to earn more AAdvantage miles and earn loyalty points without paying an annual fee.

After earning the welcome bonus, you continue to earn 2x miles on American Airlines and grocery store purchases and 1x miles on everything else.

Because this is an entry-level card, the only travel perk is the 25% rebate on inflight food and beverage purchases. If you’re looking for more exclusive travel benefits, you need to look at one of the other AAdvantage credit cards.

Where Can Your American Airlines Miles Take You?

By planning ahead, the miles you earn with your Citi AAdvantage card can take you just about anywhere in the world.

Here’s a look at the AAdvantage award chart for American Airlines flights:

Partner awards are not included in this abbreviated award chart. These can be good for off-peak travel dates that can save you plenty of miles. For example, a round-trip economy class ticket to Europe may be 45,000 miles during off-peak travel times.

Head off for a weekend in Mexico or the Caribbean in coach class for as few as 25,000 miles round-trip for an off-peak award ticket or 50,000 miles round-trip in business class for a MileSAAver award ticket.

In addition to booking flights on American Airlines, you can now book flights on many Oneworld partner airlines directly on AA.com using your American Airlines frequent flyer miles.

Final Thoughts

Wondering which American Airlines-branded credit card is right for you? The AAdvantage Executive card is an obvious choice for frequent American Airlines travelers who value travel perks and lounge access. The AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite card offers a great way to earn American miles and get perks like upgraded boarding and free checked bags without a big annual fee.

If you’re a small business owner who travels on American Airlines, the AAdvantage Business card can help you ensure all of your expenses earn miles while providing additional travel perks.