Citi Is Ending Grandfathered Barclays AAdvantage Card Benefits in October

Updated: August 27, 2026, 10:19am CDT

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Grandfathered Barclays Benefits End October 25
Final Thoughts

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Citi is getting ready to pull the plug on several grandfathered benefits that former Barclays AAdvantage cardholders have continued to enjoy since their cards were converted between issuers earlier this year.

Here’s what’s going away, when the changes take effect, and which perks you may still have time to use.

Grandfathered Barclays Benefits End October 25

Earlier this year, Citi took over Barclays’ American Airlines credit card portfolio.

On April 24, 2026, former AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Red World Elite Mastercard^® cardholders were converted to the Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite™ Mastercard^®, while AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Silver Mastercard^® cardholders were moved to the Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Globe™ Mastercard^®.

As part of the transition, Citi temporarily allowed these cardholders to retain several benefits from their old Barclays cards that aren’t typically available on their new AAdvantage Citi cards. That grace period is now coming to an end. Citi is notifying affected cardholders that most of these grandfathered Barclays benefits will disappear starting October 25, 2026.

American Airlines credit cards — Image Credit: Katie Seemann

For former AAdvantage Aviator Red cardholders who now have the AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite card, the $25 annual Wi-Fi credit will end on that date.

The Barclays American Airlines Companion Certificate is also being phased out. However, eligible cardholders can still earn the certificate 1 final time on their next card membership anniversary. Any certificates you’ve already earned will remain in your AAdvantage account and can be used through their original expiration dates.

Former AAdvantage Aviator Silver cardholders who were converted to the AAdvantage Globe card are seeing a longer list of perks disappear. Beginning October 25, they’ll lose:

2x AAdvantage miles on car rentals
2x AAdvantage miles on hotels
$25 daily food and beverage credit
$50 annual Wi-Fi credit

After that, hotel and car rental purchases will earn the standard 1x AAdvantage mile per $1 spent. These cardholders will also have 1 final opportunity to earn their legacy Barclays American Airlines Companion Certificate at their next card membership anniversary.

There is a grandfathered Aviator Silver benefit that’s sticking around a little longer. Cardholders can continue earning up to 15,000 additional Loyalty Points through the AAdvantage status qualification period ending February 28, 2027, after which that benefit will also disappear.

Hot Tip:

Once these grandfathered perks disappear, you’ll want to reassess whether your Citi AAdvantage cards still justify their annual fee. Our guide to the best American Airlines credit cards can help you compare your options.

Final Thoughts

It’s nice that Citi gave former Barclays cardholders some extra time with their old benefits, but most of that gravy train ends on October 25.

If you were getting significant value from these grandfathered perks, especially the Wi-Fi credits or Companion Certificate, your next renewal is a good time to take another look at whether your Citi AAdvantage card still earns a spot in your wallet.