Best for casual American Airlines flyers
If you need Admirals Club lounge access, this card won’t help you. But if you’re a casual American Airlines traveler who just wants a few elite-like benefits when you fly with the airline, this is definitely a card you should consider adding to your wallet.
At a glance
- 2X Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants.
- 2X Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
- 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
At a glance
- 2X Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants.
- 2X Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
- 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
- Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after you spend $20,000 or more in purchases during your card membership year and renew your card
- 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
Our Take
TPG Editor's Rating
Overview
This card is a solid mid-level credit card for anyone who wants to earn American Airlines miles and enjoy elite status-like benefits.
Pros
- You’ll have access to preferred boarding, a free checked bag on domestic itineraries, a 25% discount on eligible inflight purchases and a $125 flight discount when you spend $20,000 or more on your card during your membership year and renew the card.
Cons
- Unfortunately, Citi stripped many valuable travel and purchase protection benefits from this card a few years ago. This isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, but it’s something to keep in mind before applying for this card. You also won't get access to Admirals Club lounges without paying the higher annual fee on the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.
Who is this card good for?
You don’t have to be a frequent American Airlines flyer to benefit from this card. Its travel benefits will improve your AA flying experience, even if you’re loyal to other airlines.
Earning Rewards
This card earns 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases and at restaurants and gas stations. All other spending earns 1 mile per dollar spent. There’s no cap on how many miles you can earn in a year.