Best Credit Card for American Airlines

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Candis is a solo traveler, and she would not have been able to afford to go to as many places and do as much as she’s done without using points to her advantage. She has been able to get free hotel stays with Marriot Bonvoy and has even gotten an entire roundtrip flight to Colombia for free with the use of her credit card rewards. Candis wants to help her readers understand exactly how you can use your points by sharing her own experiences.

My Favorite American Airlines Credit Card

The American Airlines credit card that I like best is the Citi/ AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard. It provides everything that I need in an American Airlines credit card.

I earn 2X AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and 1X AAdvantage miles for everything else. Between my travels and everyday spending, I can rack up miles quickly. I like that I can get 50,000 miles when I spend $2,500 in the first 3 months because $2,500 is doable for me. I can definitely spend that amount of money in 90 days.

Not to mention, the annual fee is only $99 after the first year. In my opinion, that’s not too expensive considering all of the benefits that come with this card.

My Top American Airlines Credit Cards at a Glance

American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Mastercard

This card is a standard credit card, but it provides loads of perks. It offers an incredible welcome bonus, plus no annual fee. It’s perfect for people who travel a few times a year.

Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard

Of course, this option is my favorite. It takes the benefits up a notch and doesn’t require too much from the cardholder. It’s just right for me.

CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard

This card is a lifesaver for busy businesspeople. Receiving cash back on telecommunication providers and telecommunication providers is a game-changer! Business owners have to spend a lot of money on company expenses, so it’s nice to get a little something back. Plus, the annual fee is inexpensive.

Tips for Choosing an American Airlines Credit Card

Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard

Look at the Annual Fee

Usually, I opt for cards with no annual fee. However, I understand that’s not always a good idea. Of course, credit cards with no annual fee don’t offer as many perks.

But that doesn’t mean they’re a lousy card. I go over all the perks and benefits of the no-annual-fee cards first to see if they meet my needs. Most times, they do, so I’ll go that for one of those.

I’ve signed up for cards that had such a big annual fee, it canceled out all of the perks that I earned through the year. Therefore, I make sure to compare value vs. fee. I ask myself, “Is the value of the card’s perks and rewards worth the fee?” If it is, then I’ll sign up for it. If not, then I’ll keep looking.

For instance, the Citi / AAdvantage Executive Mastercard has a $450 annual fee. However, it offers quite a few beneficial perks. So, if the benefits of the card work for you, go for it!

Go Over the Interest Rate

I always check out the interest rate before signing up for a credit card. If I carry a balance, I don’t want to be saddled with a high interest rate that will make my debt grow, instead of shrink. So, I try to find a card with a low interest rate. This is especially important if you think you might carry a balance from month-to-month.

I also check the interest rate on cash advances and balance transfers. I avoid cards that have a higher interest rate for those transactions.

Compare Perks

When choosing an American Airlines Credit Card, my biggest question is, “What are the benefits?” I want a card that offers me the best rewards for my spending. As a frequent traveler, it’s easy to rack up points through American Airlines and its partners.

As a result, I can move up through the tier statuses as an AAdvantage member—which comes with perks of its own.

Therefore, I look for cards that’ll give me special perks that I may not get otherwise—like bonus points, Global Entry, and an Admirals Club membership.

Review Spending Habits

What are your spending habits like? This is something that you should really think about before signing up for any credit card. After all, you don’t want to get a card that has high fees, and you’re only using it for a few purchases per year.

Outline your spending habits for the last few months and/or years. This will give you a good idea of where you’re spending the most money. Then, find a card that offers rewards in those specific categories.

For example, let’s say you spend a lot of money on groceries and gas. In that case, you might want to get a card that offers 2X the rewards for those types of purchases.

Additionally, it’s wise to be realistic about your spending. If you’re a single person, or someone who lives on a tight budget, you’re probably not going to spend enough to make the card worth your while.

Not to mention, American Airlines offers hefty sign-up bonuses for people who spend a lot. To get your reward miles, you’ll have to spend a few thousand dollars within 3 months or so. But if you don’t have lmany bills or buy lots of merchandise, their cards may not be the best option for you.

How I Chose the Credit Cards on This List

Suitability

I chose the credit cards on this list because they suit a variety of needs. These cards cater to different types of spenders, whether you’re a casual spender or a business owner. I’ve also included cards with different annual fee structures. That way, you can find one that fits your budget.

Welcome Bonuses

The welcome bonuses on these cards are generous, and can help you earn AAdvantage miles quickly.

With the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, for example, you can earn 50,000 AAdvantage miles after you spend $2,500 in the first 3 months. I think that’s awesome! Trust me, those bonus miles will take you far and save you plenty of money.

Earnings Potential

All of the cards on this list offer great earnings potential. It’s important to get cashback on everyday purchases like groceries and gas, as well as on American Airlines flights and other travel expenses. With all of these options, you can easily rack up AAdvantage miles and redeem them for free travel.

Perks and Benefits

The perks and benefits on these cards are top-notch. For example, with the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, you get a complimentary Admirals Club membership and a $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. For frequent travelers, those benefits alone are worth the annual fee.

The American Airlines Credit Card Options

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

This card offers a great way to earn rewards toward American Airlines AAdvantage® miles. You can earn 2X AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1X AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on other purchases.

There’s also a welcome bonus offer of 50,000 AAdvantage miles after you spend $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

You could also get a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after you spend $20,000 in purchases during your membership year. But you have to renew your card.

There are no foreign transaction fees with this card. You’ll also get preferred boarding on American Airlines flights. The annual fee is $0 intro for the first year, then $99 per year after that.

American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Mastercard®

This card offers 2X AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines and grocery store purchases. You can also earn 1X AAdvantage mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.

You’ll receive a welcome bonus offer of 10,000 AAdvantage miles and a $50 statement credit after you buy $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of having the card. Plus, you’ll get preferred boarding on American Airlines flights. There’s a 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card.

With this credit card, there’s no annual fee.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

This is American Airlines’ premium credit card. You can earn 2X AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.

You can also earn 1X AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on other purchases. There’s a welcome bonus offer of 50,000 AAdvantage miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

Plus, you’ll receive 10,000 Loyalty Points after you spend $40,000 in purchases within the year. This card includes priority boarding and a free first checked bag for you and up to 8 guests traveling on the same reservation. There’s an annual fee of $450 with this card.

CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

This card is best for business owners who fly American Airlines often. You can earn 2X AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and gas stations.

You can also earn 1X AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on other purchases. Furthermore, it offers 2X for every $1 spent on telecommunication providers, as well as cable and satellite merchants.

With this card, you’ll receive 25% on in-flight Wi-Fi purchases and preferred boarding on American Airlines flights. You’ll also get a Companion Certificate for domestic travel after you spend $30,000 in purchases within the year and renew your card. The annual fee is $0 intro for the first year, then $99 after that.

FAQs

Question: What are the credit limits for American Airlines Credit Cards?

Answer: The credit limit you receive depends on your creditworthiness and other factors. Before applying, it’s best to check your credit score to see where you stand. Generally speaking, the higher your credit score, the higher your credit limit will be. In most cases, the limit is $1,500 or more.

Question: What Credit Score do I need to get Approved for an American Airlines Credit Card?

Answer: There is no set credit score you need to get approved for an American Airlines credit card. However, your chances of getting approved are high if you have a score that’s over 700. And of course, it helps to not have any current credit card debt.

Question: Why Should I get an American Airlines Credit Card over Another Air Carrier?

Answer: There are a few reasons you might want to get an American Airlines credit card instead of other air carriers. First, if you’re a frequent flyer on American Airlines, it makes sense to get a card that will help you earn AAdvantage miles. Second, American Airlines credit cards come with great perks. Not to mention, it’s one of the largest air carriers in the world, so you can use your card to book flights to just about anywhere.

Question: How Many American Airlines Credit Cards can I Have?

Answer: You can have as many American Airlines credit cards as you want. However, I advise against it. It’s best to focus on one or two cards so you can really maximize the benefits. Plus, it’s easier to keep track of your spending and rewards if you have fewer cards. Also, if you have multiple AA credit cards, they may restrict some of your perks, like bonuses.

Question: Is there a Limit to the Number of Miles that I can Accumulate with my Card?

Answer: No. You can earn as many miles as you want. This is a big deal because you can accumulate your points without any restrictions or worrying about losing them.

My Final Thoughts on the Best Credit Card for American Airlines

If you were on the fence about applying for an American Airlines credit card, I hope this content helped you out. They have a card for everyone, and if you’re a frequent traveler, the perks you’ll receive are top-tier.I really appreciate the hefty welcome bonuses and the low annual fees. Not to mention, most of their cards waive the annual fee for the first year. It’s a win-win!
With that said, be sure to apply for an American Airlines card before your next trip!