Citi Provides Details and Timeline for Conversion of Barclays American Airlines Credit Cards

We’ve known for a while now that Barclays will stop issuing American Airlines co-branded credit cards and that Citi will become the sole issuer of AAdvantage credit cards. What we didn’t know was … everything else.

Now, we have some more information. As of January 31, 2026, Citi has confirmed details for this changeover, indicating that Barclays cardholders will have their credit cards converted into a comparable Citi credit card.

We also have details on when this transition will occur and how it will work. If you’re an existing Barclays Aviator cardholder, here’s what you need to know about these upcoming changes.

What’s Happening With Barclays Aviator AAdvantage Cards?

At the end of 2024, Citi announced an extension of its partnership with American Airlines. In that announcement, we learned that American Airlines would end its partnership with Barclays, which has been issuing AAdvantage co-branded credit cards since 2013.

Back in 2024, we learned that existing Barclays cards would be converted into Citi credit cards — still within the AAdvantage rewards program — at some point in 2026.

Beyond these big-picture elements, little was known about the specifics of these conversions.

Timeline of Conversions From Barclays to Citi

We now know that existing Barclays AA credit cards will convert to Citi products starting in late April. Citi says that new cards will be mailed to cardholders “within 6 to 8 weeks starting April 27, 2026.” That means existing cardholders should receive a new Citi credit card by mid-June.

Luckily, those with an existing Barclays Aviator card can continue using it until the new one arrives in the mail. These new cards will need to be activated, and Citi says the transition will kick off on April 24 — and that it should be seamless for current cardholders.

For information about the transition, customers can visit LandingAtCiti.com.

Overview of Card Transitions

For those with Barclays’ American Airlines credit cards, here’s what your new Citi credit card will be:

It’s worth noting that several of these cards aren’t open to new applicants, though people who have these accounts have been able to continue to use their cards normally. Those are factored into the conversion matrix.

If you happen to have an American Airlines co-branded card from both issuers and your conversion from Barclays to Citi results in you having 2 of the same Citi cards, you can link your card accounts online or through Citi’s mobile app (iOS, Android).

Current Barclays cardholders transitioning to a Citi product will be subject to the same welcome bonus eligibility rules as current Citi cardholders. This means you won’t be excluded from eligibility for a welcome bonus just because one of your Citi accounts originated from a transitioned Barclays product. But, those accounts will still be subject to Citi’s rules when it comes to welcome bonus eligibility pertaining to that specific card.

Final Thoughts

Citi has provided details on the card conversion process, including dates and which cards will become which. The transition for Barclays cardholders will start in late April, and your new card should also come with a benefits guide to keep you informed.

It looks like Citi is acquiring all AAdvantage credit card accounts from Barclays, rather than requiring cardholders to choose between sticking with Barclays (and converting to a non-AAdvantage credit card) or converting to Citi. Instead, everyone’s accounts will move to Citi, and we have a list of which Barclays card each account will turn into once this goes live.

If you’re an existing cardholder, the only action you need to take is to activate your new card when it arrives.