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8 Best Credit Cards for American Airlines Flyers of October 2026

Most of the cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you approve through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Please view our  advertising policy and  product review methodology for more information.

The best American Airlines credit cards offer benefits for both occasional and frequent American flyers. Whether you’re looking to earn AAdvantage miles and unlock premium perks like lounge access and free checked luggage or seeking a card that offers flexible rewards and benefits across multiple airlines, there’s a great option from our partners for you.

At The Points Guy, our goal is to help you maximize your travel experiences while minimizing spending. Our travel and credit cards experts share their own experiences and give honest analyses to help you make decisions that benefit you the most. While we do receive compensation through our credit card application links, ads, and clearly indicated sponsored content, our editorial content, points valuations and card analysis are entirely our own.

Comparing the best American Airlines credit cards

Limited-Time Offer

Best for occasional American Airlines flyers

3 / 5
Go to review
Rewards rate
2XEarn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
Earn 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles
Annual fee
$99, waived for first 12 months
Regular APR
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
670-850Excellent, Good

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is a solid mid-tier card for American Airlines flyers who want useful travel perks without paying a premium annual fee. It offers a free first checked bag on eligible domestic American Airlines flights, priority boarding and bonus AAdvantage miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, dining and at gas stations. It can be especially valuable for travelers who can use the checked bag benefit and priority boarding without needing lounge access.

Pros

  • Free first checked bag on eligible domestic American Airlines flights
  • Priority boarding
  • Bonus AAdvantage miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, dining and at gas stations
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Inflight food and beverage savings

Cons

  • Weaker earning rates compared to some flexible rewards cards
  • No lounge access included
  • Free checked bag benefit is limited to eligible domestic American Airlines flights
  • Some benefits require significant spending to unlock
  • For a limited time, 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.
  • 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.
Limited-Time Offer

Best for American Airlines lounge access

3.5 / 5
Go to review
Rewards rate
4XEarn 4x AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
1X1 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on other purchases
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
For a limited time, earn 125,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles
Annual fee
$695
Regular APR
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
670-850Excellent, Good

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard is the only credit card that includes an American Airlines Admirals Club membership, making it a compelling option for frequent AA flyers. Beyond lounge access, the primary cardmember can receive up to $500 in annual American Airlines Vacations credits, complimentary Omni Hotels & Resorts Champion Status and up to $100 in annual credits for eligible inflight and Admirals Club purchases. The card also offers priority airport benefits, a first checked bag free on eligible domestic itineraries and other travel perks. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • Admirals Club membership
  • Annual American Airlines Vacations credit
  • Complimentary Avis President’s Club Status and Omni Hotels & Resorts Champion Status
  • Earn bonus Loyalty Points toward AAdvantage elite status
  • Free checked bag and priority airport benefits on eligible American Airlines itineraries
  • Annual credits for eligible inflight and Admirals Club purchases

Cons

  • Has a large annual fee
  • Statement credits may be difficult to maximize if you don't regularly use the eligible services
  • Authorized user fee
  • 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.

Best for mid-tier American Airlines rewards

3 / 5
Go to review
Rewards rate
6XEarn 6 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible hotels booked through aadvantagehotels.com.
3XEarn 3 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
2XEarn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at restaurants, including takeout and delivery.
1XEarn 1 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
Earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles
Annual fee
$350
Regular APR
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Good, Excellent Credit

The Citi AAdvantage Globe Mastercard is a mid-tier travel card designed for American Airlines flyers. It stands out for its combination of travel perks and value, offering Four Admirals Club Globe passes each calendar year (worth over $300), one annual American Airlines Companion Certificate after card renewal and up to $100 in statement credits on inflight purchases made on qualifying American Airlines flights each calendar year.

Cardholders also enjoy preferred Group 5 boarding on American Airlines flights, up to $240 in annual Turo credits (up to $30 in statement credits for each eligible completed trip on Turo) and access to Citi Entertainment presales and experiences, making it a well-rounded option for travelers who want premium perks without the premium price tag.

The card also stands out for its Flight Streak bonus, rewarding cardmembers with 5,000 points after every four qualifying American Airlines flights for up to 15,000 additional points each status-qualifying year. This is the only card currently available that offers this feature.

Pros

  • Four Admirals Club Globe passes per calendar year (each valid for 24 hours)
  • One American Airlines Companion Certificate each year after card renewal
  • Free first checked bag (on qualifying domestic American Airlines itineraries) for the primary cardmember and up to eight companions on the same reservation
  • Up to $120 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credits every four years (issued as statement credits every four years, as reimbursement for the application fee)
  • Up to $100 Annual Splurge Credit each calendar year (choice of two eligible categories)
  • Access to Citi Entertainment for exclusive event presales and experiences
  • Access to Mastercard’s World of Legends benefits

Cons

  • Complimentary lounge access is limited to four passes per year
  • 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.

Best for travel insurance

4.5 / 5
Go to review
Rewards rate
5xEarn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
3xEarn 3x on dining, vacation homes at top brands, gas & EV charging, top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs).
2xEarn 2x on all other travel purchases.
1xEarn 1x on all other purchases.
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
75,000 bonus points.
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.49% - 27.74% Variable
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
670-850Excellent/Good

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card remains one of the easiest travel rewards cards to recommend because it has elevated rewards across everyday spending categories, valuable travel protections, useful statement credits and an approachable annual fee. Whether you're new to points and miles or already maximizing transfer partners, it offers a rare combination of flexibility and long-term value for both beginners and experienced travelers alike.

Pros

  • Earn elevated rewards in popular categories, including travel, dining, gas, EV charging and vacation home stays at top brands
  • Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance
  • Versatile airline and hotel transfer partners
  • Features up to $100 in annual hotel credits through Chase Travel℠

Cons

  • Has an annual fee
  • No airport lounge access
  • Transfers to Hyatt at a lower rate than other Sapphire cards
  • Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes at top brands, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.
  • Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation, and more.
  • Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $180.
  • Complimentary DashPass membership, a $120 value for 12 months. Enjoy $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible DoorDash orders, plus exclusive Chase savings on grocery, everyday essentials, and more. Activate by 12/31/29.
  • Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS application.
  • Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs.
  • Member FDIC

Best for earning AAdvantage miles without flying

3.5 / 5
Go to review
Rewards rate
12XEarn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com.
6XEarn 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com.
6XEarn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time.
1.5XEarn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases.
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus Points
Annual fee
$595
Regular APR
20.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
740-850Excellent

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is a premium travel card that balances premium benefits alongside flexible lifestyle perks. It offers elevated earning rates on Citi Travel bookings, a generous mix of travel and lifestyle statement credits and exclusive 1:1 point transfers to American Airlines AAdvantage — something no other issuer currently provides. With unique benefits like four Admirals Club passes and elevated weekend dining rewards, the card delivers strong value for those who fly American Airlines a few times a year or frequently book through Citi’s travel portal. While the $595 annual fee is steep, the credits and perks can easily outweigh the cost for the right cardholder.

Pros

  • The only major issuer with American Airlines as a travel partner
  • Four Admirals Club passes annually
  • Up to $1,100 in combined lifestyle and travel statement credits
  • High earning potential through Citi Travel and weekend dining
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • Limited travel bonus categories outside of Citi Travel
  • Limited lounge access compared to other premium travel cards
  • Authorized user fee of $75
  • Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
  • Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com and 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
  • Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time
  • Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
  • Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees

Comparing the best American Airlines credit cards

Credit card
Best forIntro offerEarning rateAnnual fee
Limited-Time Offer
3

at Citi's secure site

See rates & fees

occasional American Airlines flyers
Earn 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles
Open Intro bonus
2X miles
Open Rewards rates
$99, waived for first 12 months
Limited-Time Offer
3.5

at Citi's secure site

See rates & fees

American Airlines lounge access
For a limited time, earn 125,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles
Open Intro bonus
1 - 4X miles
Open Rewards rates
$695
3

at Citi's secure site

See rates & fees

mid-tier American Airlines rewards
Earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles
Open Intro bonus
1 - 6X miles
Open Rewards rates
$350
4.5

at Chase's secure site

See rates & fees

travel insurance
75,000 bonus points.
Open Intro bonus
1 - 5X points
Open Rewards rates
$95
3.5

at Citi's secure site

See rates & fees

earning AAdvantage miles without flying
Earn 75,000 bonus Points
Open Intro bonus
1.5 - 12X points
Open Rewards rates
$595

More details on the best American Airlines credit cards

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

The Platinum Select offers useful American Airlines perks, including a free first checked bag on eligible domestic flights and priority boarding. It also earns bonus miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, dining and at gas stations.

This card is best suited to travelers who fly American Airlines a few times a year and want airline-specific perks without paying for a premium card with lounge access.

If you check bags when flying American, the card's free checked bag benefit can help offset the annual fee ($0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99). It can be especially worthwhile if you fly American a few times a year and regularly take advantage of its flight-day perks.

If you want more flexible rewards and higher earning rates on everyday spending, consider the Citi Strata Premier® Card, which earns transferable Citi ThankYou points that can be transferred to AAdvantage. Or, if you fly American frequently and want premium perks such as Admirals Club access, consider the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard®.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard®

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive stands out for its Admirals Club membership, but its value goes beyond lounge access. Frequent American Airlines flyers can also take advantage of valuable travel credits, priority airport benefits, free checked bag on domestic itineraries and credits for eligible inflight purchases.

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive is best for frequent American Airlines flyers who regularly visit Admirals Clubs and can take advantage of the card's travel benefits. It's also a strong option for those pursuing AAdvantage elite status, as you earn Loyalty Points on every dollar you spend, and additional Loyalty Points by reaching certain milestones.

“I frequently find myself on American out of Miami International Airport (MIA), and I love that I can access the Admirals Club with my immediate family. I can also add up to three authorized users for an additional $175 (total) per year — and each of them gets club access as well. Beyond that, I save hundreds of dollars a year thanks to Citi Merchant Offers on the card.”  — Nick Ewen, director of content

If you want a card that earns American Airlines miles with a lower annual fee, consider the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®. You won’t get Admirals Club access, but you’ll enjoy preferred boarding and a first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®

Lounge benefits, a free checked bag on qualifying domestic American Airlines itineraries and elevated earning rates on eligible AAdvantage Hotels bookings and American Airlines purchases make this card a rewarding option for frequent travelers. The annual $100 Splurge Credit and access to Mastercard’s World of Legends experiences add extra flexibility and value beyond air travel.

American Airlines loyalists who travel often enough to take advantage of the premium travel perks.

If you are looking for a rewarding airline card that offers lounge access, valuable statement credits and elevated earning rates on American Airlines purchases, the Citi AAdvantage Globe Mastercard could be a worthwhile addition to your wallet.

For travelers who prefer a lower annual fee, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, restaurants and gas stations, plus a free checked bag on domestic itineraries — all for a $0 introductory annual fee in the first year, then $99.

For frequent travelers who value unlimited lounge access, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard® may be a better fit. It carries a $695 annual fee but includes a complimentary Admirals Club membership and additional elite-style perks.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Cardholders earn strong rewards on travel, dining, gas, EV charging and vacation rentals while enjoying premium benefits like trip cancellation insurance and primary rental car coverage. Additional perks, including a $100 hotel credit and a credit for the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee, add meaningful value. Combined with Chase's excellent transfer partners, it's one of the strongest travel cards in the sub-$100 annual fee category.

Travelers who regularly spend on dining, streaming, vacation rentals and general travel and who want flexible ways to redeem their rewards, including the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners without paying a premium annual fee.

The Sapphire Preferred packs an impressive collection of rewards and benefits into a card with a modest annual fee. Elevated earning rates across several categories, statement credits that outweigh the annual fee and strong travel protections make this card easily justifiable year after year. It offers an easy entry point into earning travel rewards while still providing enough upside to satisfy more experienced travelers with valuable transfer partners.

If you prefer a simpler rewards structure, consider the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Rather than tracking multiple bonus categories, Venture cardholders earn elevated rewards on every purchase. However, travelers willing to maximize bonus categories may find greater long-term value with the Chase Sapphire Preferred thanks to its stronger earning rates on dining, gas purchases and vacation rentals, valuable transfer partners and robust travel protections.

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

Citi is the only major issuer that lets you transfer points to American Airlines AAdvantage at a 1:1 rate. Add in four annual Admirals Club passes, elevated earning on Citi Travel bookings and more than $800 in flexible statement credits, and the Strata Elite delivers serious value for the right traveler.

Frequent diners, Citi loyalists and travelers who want American Airlines access without a full lounge membership.

If you want to earn American Airlines miles without flying, enjoy airport lounge access without a full Admirals Club membership and easily offset a high annual fee with versatile statement credits, the Citi Strata Elite deserves a spot in your wallet.

The American Express Platinum Card® offers more robust lounge access and flexible travel credits, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers a more flexible annual travel credit and access to a broader range of travel partners.

American Express Platinum Card®

The American Express Platinum Card® is a great travel companion thanks to perks like no foreign transaction fees and enhancements like a generous up to $600 hotel credit (disbursed as up to $300 in statement credits biannually). Now, it also features more lifestyle credits that cardmembers can take advantage of to help offset its hefty annual fee. Enrollment required.

Frequent travelers and digital entertainment subscribers will enjoy travel perks like lounge access and an up to $219 Clear+ statement credit in addition to an up to $300 digital entertainment credit (disbursed as up to $25 per month in statement credits). Enrollment may be required and you may be subject to auto-renewal.

Adding this card to your rotation makes sense if you can use its perks and statement credits to offset its $895 annual fee.

If you want a premium travel and lifestyle card that’s not nearly $900, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. It features a $795 annual fee — which is still a big figure — but offers several similar perks and credits that offset this fee, and it earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points, one of the most valuable reward currencies on the market.

Citi Strata Premier® Card

When you take advantage of the $100 annual hotel credit on this card, you essentially cancel out the $95 annual fee — while still being able to take advantage of solid earning rates and other benefits the Strata Premier offers.

The Citi Strata Premier is a good card for both occasional and frequent travelers who will take advantage of the annual $100 hotel credit and elevated travel bonus rates.

Even if you only travel a few times each year, this card basically pays for itself when you utilize its perks and benefits.

If you’re seeking a more premium travel card that earns miles instead of points, consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. The Venture X earns a flat rate of 2 miles per dollar spent across all purchases with the exception of 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals also booked within the Capital One Travel portal.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Sapphire Reserve offers exceptional value for frequent travelers through generous rewards on travel spending, flexible point transfers and over $3,000 in potential annual perks.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is best suited for travelers who can take full advantage of its elevated earning rates, statement credits and wide range of luxury benefits.

If you regularly spend on travel and lifestyle purchases, and want a premium reward card that delivers both luxury benefits and long-term value, the Sapphire Reserve is a card you should consider.

If you're looking for similar premium travel benefits but are an Amex loyalist, the American Express Platinum Card® is a strong competitor. It carries a comparable annual fee of $895 (see rates and fees) and offers extensive luxury perks, including access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection for eligible card members, complimentary Hilton and Marriott elite status (enrollment is required for select benefits), and annual statement credits across categories like airfare, hotels, ridesharing services, digital entertainment and more. Its rewards are also flexible to redeem for general travel, but are mostly focused on luxury experiences.

For those looking for a more budget-friendly entry point into travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular alternative — and one of our favorite beginner travel cards here at TPG. It has a much lower fee of $95, earns 3 points per dollar spent on dining, 2 points per dollar spent on travel and offers access to the same Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners. While it lacks the premium perks of the Sapphire Reserve, it still provides solid travel protections and the ability to build up a stash of valuable points over time. It’s a great starter card for those new to travel rewards or not yet ready to commit to a premium card.

How we rate

We rated the best American Airlines credit cards based on several factors, including reward earning rates, the perks associated with each card and the overall value each card delivers to you. To learn more about how TPG evaluates and chooses cards for our roundups, check out our methodology here.
Welcome bonusTPG’s picks include cards that offer a range of welcome bonuses to suit different budgets and spending habits.
Annual feeWe chose cards with varying annual fees, including those that cost less than $100 annually to premium cards with heftier fees.
Earning ratesYou’ll find various earning rates — and reward programs — making it easier to match your needs to the right credit card.
Redemption optionsThe best cards will provide you with redemption options in the form of miles and even the ability to use rewards with transfer partners, depending on the card issuer.
Added benefitsOur top picks include insurance perks so you can travel with peace of mind knowing you’re protected against flight delays, lost baggage and more.

Ask our experts

What's your favorite American Airlines card — and why?

Is American the best US airline in 2024?

The data is in, and TPG’s annual report on the best U.S. airlines has American in fourth place — just six hundredths of a point behind United. American benefited from having the largest domestic route network of any carrier, and it also scored well for the travel experience and its AAdvantage loyalty program. However, American was the worst airline at handling checked baggage and was the second-least affordable — dropping it down the rankings.

Here’s where the data placed American this year.

*TPG’s proprietary formula uses data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, public information from carrier websites and internal valuation calculations to numerically rank the largest 10 airlines in the U.S. in terms of reliability, cost, experience and loyalty.

How to choose the best American Airlines credit card

The best American Airlines credit card for your specific needs will heavily rely on what you want the card for and what your spending habits look like. Consider welcome bonuses, travel protections, lounge access and more when deciding which card is best for you.
Here are some of the main points to consider when choosing an American Airlines credit card:
  • 1
    Sign-up bonus
    Choose the best American Airlines card that offers a solid sign-up bonus you can use for future trips. Additionally, consider the minimum spend threshold required to earn a sign-up bonus and make sure your budget and spending align with that figure.
  • 2
    Annual fee
    Depending on what your goals are when opening a new credit card, you may want to opt for a budget-friendly, low annual fee card or a premium travel card — with premium protections and benefits — with a premium annual fee.
  • 3
    Bonus categories
    The best American Airlines credit cards feature various bonus categories for different types of travelers and spenders. Whether you want a cobranded airline card or a travel card that’s also great for general everyday purchases, one of our top picks is sure to suit your needs.
Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage - The Points Guy
Curious about this loyalty program? Read our guide to get the lowdown

Pros + Cons of American Airlines credit cards

Pros

  • American credit cards can earn AAdvantage miles (or flexible travel rewards) every time you use them
  • Spending on cobranded American Airlines cards can help you unlock AAdvantage elite status
  • Many American credit cards include perks to enhance your travel experience — including lounge access, free checked bags and priority boarding

Cons

  • Earning American AAdvantage miles means you’re limited to awards through that program

Frequently asked questions

The best American Airlines credit card will vary depending on your needs. If you want Admirals Club access, the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard will be the best American Airlines card. But if you are primarily interested in getting your first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines flights, one of the cards with a lower annual fee will likely be best.

An American Airlines card may be worth getting if its perks provide more value than the cost of the annual fee. For example, you'd only need to check a bag four times per year to cover the cost of the mid-tier AAdvantage cards. And the annual fee on the Citi AA Executive card is less than the cost of an Admirals Club membership.

You can apply for some American Airlines cards, including the Citi AA Executive card, by clicking the hyperlinked card names on our page. You can apply for other American Airlines cards by searching for the card on the Citi or Barclays websites. You can also pick up a paper application for the Aviator Red on board some American Airlines flights.

You have the ability to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 ratio, which allows you to leverage various Marriott credit cards to earn American miles. However, we only recommend transferring Marriott points to airline programs for very specific redemptions.

Most American Airlines credit cards don’t have foreign transaction fees. But some, including the AAdvantage MileUp card, do charge foreign transaction fees. So, check the fine print before assuming your American Airlines credit card doesn't have foreign transaction fees.

You can use your cobranded American Airlines credit card to make purchases at most merchants that accept credit cards.

Cardholders of the Citi AA Executive card automatically get priority boarding in Group 4. Cardholders of most other eligible AAdvantage cards get preferred boarding in Group 5. You won’t get preferred boarding with the AAdvantage MileUp card, though.

Some American Airlines credit cards, including the Citi AA Executive card, offer worldwide car rental insurance coverage when you pay for your rental with your card. See your card's guide to benefits to determine whether your card offers rental car coverage and, if so, the coverage details.

You'll typically need good credit — which means a credit score of at least 670 — to be approved for an American Airlines credit card. However, you can improve your chances of getting approved with an excellent score in the high 700s or low 800s.