Difference between revisions of "American airlines credit cards"

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{{DISPLAYTITLE: American Airlines Credit Cards}}
 
{{Page|card|citi cards|airline cards}}
 
{{Page|card|citi cards|airline cards}}
  
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|Webpage2 = [//www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/miles/partners/credit-card/aadvantage-credit-cards.jsp American Airlines Webpage]
 
|Webpage2 = [//www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/miles/partners/credit-card/aadvantage-credit-cards.jsp American Airlines Webpage]
 
|ApplyLink=//www.citi.com/credit-cards/credit-card-details/citi.action?ID=citi-aadvantage-platinum-elite-credit-card
 
|ApplyLink=//www.citi.com/credit-cards/credit-card-details/citi.action?ID=citi-aadvantage-platinum-elite-credit-card
−
|Fee=95-99
+
|Fee=95-99, Citibank cards waive first year
−
|Waived=Yes
+
|Waived=
 
|FTF=No
 
|FTF=No
 
|Credit=
 
|Credit=
−
|CurrentOffer=Aviator Personal: 60,000 miles on initial purchase. Aviator Business: 50,000 miles on initial purchase.  
+
|CurrentOffer=''Aviator Personal'': 60,000 miles on initial purchase plus a waived first year fee. [//www.applyaviator.com/apply/Landing.action?campaignId=2626&cellNumber=1 Offer Link].
  
−
Citibank Personal: 60,000 miles, with $3,000 initial spend, via [//secure.fly.aa.com/citi/footer-plathv offer link]. An other option is to use [https://secure.fly.aa.com/citi/viewres-plat this link] to get 40,000 points, with $2,000 initial spend, plus a $200 statement credit for an American Airlines purchase (during the initial year). You may then be able to call in and match to 60, 70, or even 75,000 miles.  
+
''Aviator Business'': 80,000 miles: 50,000 with $1,000 initial spend plus an additional 30,000 with a total of $6,000 spend during first year.  
  
−
Citibank Business: 70,000 miles with $4,000 initial spend.
+
''Citibank Personal'': 60,000 miles ($3,000 initial spend) plus 5,000 EQMs. [//creditcards.aa.com/citi-platinum-card-american-airlines-hv/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=aa&utm_campaign=footerhv Offer Link].
 +
 
 +
''Citibank Business'': 65,000 miles ($4,000 initial spend in first 4 months)
 
|OfferLink=
 
|OfferLink=
 
|NormalOffer=
 
|NormalOffer=
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|PointType=AA Miles
 
|PointType=AA Miles
 
|SignupBonusChart=//www.uscreditcardguide.com/citi-aadvantage-platinum-select-credit-card/#Historical_Offers_Chart
 
|SignupBonusChart=//www.uscreditcardguide.com/citi-aadvantage-platinum-select-credit-card/#Historical_Offers_Chart
−
|BonusCategories=2x American Airline Purchases
+
|BonusCategories=2x American Airline Purchases (3x with Aviator Silver)
  
−
2x on Additional categories with some cards
+
2x Additional categories with some cards
  
 
1x Everywhere Else
 
1x Everywhere Else
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{{Main|card}}
 
{{Main|card}}
 +
<div class="middle">
 +
{{Card|AA|4in}}
 +
</div>
 +
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
'''If you frequently travel on American Airlines, you should get the Citibank Platinum (or Barclay Aviator card) to take advantage of free checked bags, and other American Airlines benefits. Even if you don't, you're likely to eventually sign up for several different American Airlines cards, just to collect the signup bonuses'''.
+
'''If you frequently travel on American Airlines, you should get ine of the American Airlines cards to take advantage of free checked bags and other American Airlines benefits. These cards are also interesting just for their often valuable signup bonuses. Just don't use them for your everyday spending.'''
  
 
{{TOC|All}}
 
{{TOC|All}}
 
*[[#American Airlines Credit Card Options|American Airlines Card Options]]
 
*[[#American Airlines Credit Card Options|American Airlines Card Options]]
 
*[[#Collecting American Airlines Signup Bonuses|Signup Bonuses]]
 
*[[#Collecting American Airlines Signup Bonuses|Signup Bonuses]]
−
*[[#Notable Benefits|Notable Benefits]]
+
*[[#Big Spend Bonus (Companion Certificates)|Big Spend Bonus]]
 +
*[[#Other Notable Benefits|Other Notable Benefits]]
 
*[[#Additional Benefits of the Aviator Silver|Additional Benefits of the Aviator Silver]]
 
*[[#Additional Benefits of the Aviator Silver|Additional Benefits of the Aviator Silver]]
−
*[[#Which Card to Get?|Which Card to Get?]]
 
 
*[[#Bonus Categories|Bonus Categories]]
 
*[[#Bonus Categories|Bonus Categories]]
 +
*[[#Getting Rid of the Card|Getting Rid of the Card]]
 
{{/TOC}}
 
{{/TOC}}
  
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=== American Airlines Credit Card Options ===
 
=== American Airlines Credit Card Options ===
  
−
American Airlines has several different co-branded credit cards, from two different banks. Four of these cards have very similar benefits and costs.  
+
The "standard" American Airlines card is available from both Citibank and Barclays in both a personal and business version.
 +
 
 +
Each has an annual fee of $95-99. If you are planning to keep one of these cards for the long term, the Barclays Red has slightly better features. But you might want to rotate through different versions to maximize the number of signup bonuses you receive.  
  
 
{{List|card}}
 
{{List|card}}
  
 
{{CardItem|AA|noguide}}
 
{{CardItem|AA|noguide}}
−
'''Citibank AAdvantage Platinum'''. $99 annual fee, waived first year. This card comes in both a personal ([//www.citi.com/credit-cards/credit-card-details/citi.action?ID=citi-aadvantage-platinum-elite-credit-card&category=american-airlines-aadvantage-credit-cards Citibank Webpage], [//secure.fly.aa.com/citi/ccpage-plat AA Webpage]) and business ([//www.citi.com/credit-cards/credit-card-details/citi.action?ID=citibusiness-aadvantage-platinum-select-credit-card Citibank Webpage], [//secure.fly.aa.com/citi/ccpage-cbaa AA Webpage]) version.
+
'''Citibank AAdvantage Platinum'''. If you spend $20,000 in a year, you'll receive a $125 discount certificate. $99 annual fee, waived first year. [//www.citi.com/credit-cards/credit-card-details/citi.action?ID=citi-aadvantage-platinum-elite-credit-card&category=american-airlines-aadvantage-credit-cards Citibank Webpage]. [//creditcards.aa.com/ AA Webpage]. [//www.uscreditcardguide.com/citi-aadvantage-platinum-select-credit-card/#Historical_Offers_Chart Signup Bonus Chart].
  
 
{{CardItem|Aviator|noguide}}
 
{{CardItem|Aviator|noguide}}
−
'''Barclays Aviator Red Card'''. $95 annual fee. The fee isn't waived the first year, but the normal signup bonus for this card is better than for the Citibank version. This card comes in both a personal ([//home.barclaycardus.com/cards/aadvantage-aviator-red-world-elite-mastercard.html Barclays Webpage]) and business {[//home.barclaycardus.com/cards/aadvantage-aviator-business-mastercard.html Barclays Webpage]) version.
+
'''Aviator Red'''. If you spend $20,000 in a year, you'll receive a $99 companion certificate (rather than the Citibank card's $125 fight discount). The $95 fee isn't waived the first year, but the normal signup bonus is often better than the Citibank version's. [//cards.barclaycardus.com/banking/cards/aadvantage-aviator-red-world-elite-mastercard/ Barclays Webpage]. [//www.uscreditcardguide.com/barclaycard-aadvantage-aviator-red-credit-card/#Historical_Offers_Chart Signup Bonus Chart].  
 +
 
 +
{{CardItem|AABiz|noguide}}
 +
'''CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum'''. If you spend $30,000 in a year, you'll receive a $99 companion certificate. $99 annual fee, waived first year. [//www.citi.com/credit-cards/credit-card-details/citi.action?ID=citibusiness-aadvantage-platinum-select-credit-card Citibank Webpage], [//creditcards.aa.com/citi-business-card-american-airlines-direct AA Webpage].[//www.uscreditcardguide.com/citibusiness-aadvantage-platinum-credit-card/#Historical_Offers_Chart Signup Bonus Chart].
 +
 
 +
{{CardItem|AviatorBiz|noguide}}
 +
'''Aviator Business'''. If you spend $30,000 in a year, you'll receive a $99 compaion certificate, good for up to 2 companions. It also comes with an annual $25 WiFi credit.  [//cards.barclaycardus.com/banking/cards/aadvantage-aviator-world-elite-business-mastercard/ Barclays Webpage]. [//www.uscreditcardguide.com/barclaycard-aadvantage-aviator-business-credit-card/#Historical_Offers_Chart Signup Bonus Chart].  
 
{{/List|card}}
 
{{/List|card}}
  
−
In addition, there are three other American Airlines cards:
+
In addition, there are three other American Airlines cards.
  
 
{{List|card}}
 
{{List|card}}
  
 
{{CardItem|AviatorSilver|noguide}}
 
{{CardItem|AviatorSilver|noguide}}
−
'''Barclays Aviator Silver Card'''. $195 annual fee. You can't apply for this card directly. Instead, you apply for the regular Aviator card, and then upgrade to the Silver card, which provides some additional benefits (covered in more detail below). [//www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/miles/partners/credit-card/aadvantage-aviator-silver-world-elite-mastercard.jsp Barclays Webpage].
+
'''Aviator Silver'''. You can't apply for this card directly. Instead, you apply for the regular Aviator card and then upgrade to the Silver card. The additional benefits are covered in more detail below. $195 annual fee. [//creditcards.aa.com/barclay-credit-card-aviator-silver-american-airlines-aadvantage/ AA Webpage].
  
 
{{CardItem|AAMileUp|noguide}}
 
{{CardItem|AAMileUp|noguide}}
 
'''Citibank MileUp Card'''. No annual fee. Replaces the older AAdvantage Gold card.  
 
'''Citibank MileUp Card'''. No annual fee. Replaces the older AAdvantage Gold card.  
−
Like that card, it doesn't come with useful benefits, and getting the card interferes with earning higher signup bonuses from the Citi Platinum or Executive cards.  [//secure.fly.aa.com/citi/ecm/citi-aadvantage-mileup Citibank webpage].
+
Like that card, it doesn't come with useful benefits.  [//www.citi.com/credit-cards/credit-card-details/citi.action?ID=aadvantage-mile-up-credit-card Citibank webpage]. [//creditcards.aa.com/citi-mileup-card-american-airlines-direct AA Webpage].
  
 
{{CardItem|AAExecutive|noguide}}
 
{{CardItem|AAExecutive|noguide}}
−
'''Citibank AAdvantage Executive Card'''. $450 annual fee. Includes some valuable additional benefits, such as an Admiral Club Membership, and is discussed in its own guide. {{Card|AAExecutive|Only}}
+
'''Citibank Executive Card'''. Includes some valuable additional benefits, such as an Admiral Club Membership. The additional benefits are fully covered in its own guide {{Card|AAExecutive|Only}}. $450 annual fee.
 
{{/List|card}}
 
{{/List|card}}
  
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<ul class="bulletlist">
 
<ul class="bulletlist">
−
<li>'''It is worth signing up for these cards, just to collect the signup bonuses'''. For example, a typical signup bonus of 50,000 American Airlines miles, is valued at $600. And somewhat better offers are sometimes available.</li>  
+
<li>'''It is worth signing up for these cards, just to collect the signup bonuses'''. Typical signup bonuses are around 30-50,000 American Airline miles.</li>
 +
 
 +
<li>'''You can take advantage of signup bonuses from multiple different American Airlines cards'''. You can earn the bonus from each Citibank card and the Barclays card. And if you have any type of small business, you can collect bonuses from both the Citibank and Barclay business cards as well. {{Link|Business Cards}}</li>
 +
 
 +
<li>'''You can only receive the signup bonus for each Citibank card once every 48 months'''. Each card has its own separate "clock". Some targeted offers bypass this rule.</li>
 +
 
 +
<li>'''Barclays doesn't have a specific signup bonus limit, but it is hard to get more than one or two cards per year'''. This limits your ability to cancel and apply for the Aviator card over and over again. If you are collecting signup bonuses, it is sometimes hard to get approved for new Barclays cards. </li>
 +
 
 +
<li>'''If you are interested in the standard benefits and want to optimize your rewards, you can rotate through the various cards'''. Rather than getting the cards all at once, spread them out over time. Make sure to apply for the new card before it is time to cancel the previous one. Assuming you are eligible for business cards and can continue to get approved for the Barclays card, you should be able to get a new bonus every year to offset the cost of holding onto one of the cards. </li>
  
−
<li>'''You can take advantage of signup bonuses from multiple different American Airlines cards'''. You can collect a bonus from both the Aviator card and the Citibank card. And, if you have any type of small business, you can collect bonuses for the Citibank and Barclay business cards as well. {{Link|Business Cards}}</li>  
+
Remember to only cancel an existing Citibank card right after getting approved for a new one. If you need to get rid of it at another time, downgrade to the no-annual-fee version so that you don't reset the 48 month clock.  
 +
</ul>
  
−
<li>'''Citibank limits your ability to collect another signup bonus within 24 months of signing up for, or cancelling, any of the personal versions of the Citibank American Airlines cards'''. For example, if you collect the signup bonus on the AAdvanage Executive card, you won't be eligible for the signup bonus on the AAdvantage Platinum card, until two years later. And if you cancel the Executive card during that time, the clock resets.</li>
+
=== Big Spend Bonus (Companion Certificates) ===
  
−
As a result, you'll need to settle on just one Citibank card to start off with. The Platinum version is usually your best bet. If you want to hold onto the Platinum Card, you can get the Gold card two years later, and earn an additional signup bonus. Then, a few months later, you can cancel the Gold card, and reset the clock for your next bonus.  
+
The main difference between the different versions of the card is the extra benefit you get for using the card for a lot of spending.  
  
−
From a signup bonus perspective, the Gold card is a better option than the Executive card. You'll receive 25,000 miles without having to pay an annual fee (the first year), rather than 50,000 miles with a $450 annual fee. The extra 25,000 miles is not worth the extra $450.
+
<ul class="simplelist">
 +
<li>The Citibank personal card gives you a very flexible $125 flight discount certificate if you spent at least $20,000.</li>
  
−
If you are holding onto an Aviator card instead, or aren't interested in keeping any of these cards, you are best off signing up for the AAdvantage Platinum card, holding onto it for a few months, and then re-applying two years after you cancel.  
+
<li>The Barclays personal card give you a potentially more valuable $99+tax companion certificate with the same $20,000 spending requirement. This certificate can only be used on domestic economy flights, but is otherwise pretty flexible (and likely to be worth more than the Citibank's card $125 discount. {{Link|Companion Certificates}}.</li>
  
−
<li>'''Barclays doesn't have a specific signup bonus limit, but it is hard to get more than one or two cards per year'''. This limits your ability to cancel and apply for the Aviator cards over and over again. If you are holding onto one of the Citibank cards, or aren't interested in holding onto any American Airlines cards, we'd sign-up for the card, hold onto it until your first year anniversary, cancel it before paying your second annual fee, and re-apply a few months later.</li>  
+
<li>The business cards from both Citibank and Barclays also give you a $99+tax companion certificate, but require $30,000 of spending (instead of $20,000).</li>  
  
−
<li>'''The business versions of the cards are handled separately'''. You can qualify for the signup bonus for the Citibank version, even if you've recently opened or closed a personal Citibank American Airlines card.</li>  
+
<li>The premium Barclays Silver Card gives you a $99 companion certificate with $20,000 of spending (like the Barclays Red card). But the Silver Card's certificate can be used for up to two companions, rather than for one.</li>  
−
</ul>
+
</ul>  
 +
 
 +
All of the certificates expire one year after you earn them. Keep in mind that you only receive these benefits weeks after you pay the annual fee to renew the card.
  
−
=== Notable Benefits ===
+
=== Other Notable Benefits ===
  
 
==== Benefit List ====
 
==== Benefit List ====
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{{Benefit Bags|four}}
 
{{Benefit Bags|four}}
  
−
<li>'''10% rebate on AA miles used for award tickets''' (some cards). For example, if you redeem 50,000 miles for an award ticket to Europe, you'll get 5,000 miles back. Your rebate is capped at 10,000 miles each year. This benefit is only available on the personal version of the cards. The Aviator Business card gives you a 5% bonus on miles earned, instead of the 10% rebate on miles used; and the AAdvantage Business card doesn't have either benefit.</li>
+
<li>'''Priority boarding'''.</li>
  
−
<li>'''Priority boarding'''.</li>  
+
<li>'''25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases'''.</li>  
  
−
<li>'''Access to reduced mileage awards'''. Cardholders can book a rotating set of awards for 7,500 fewer miles than normal. This is in addition to the rebate you'll receive. Current set of [//aa.com/reducedmileageawards reduced mileage awards].</li>  
+
<li>'''$25 inflight Wi-Fi credit''', every anniversary year. (Aviator Red card only).</li>
  
−
<li>'''25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases'''.</li>  
+
<li>'''$3,000 elite qualifying dollars if you spend $25,000''' on the card during a calendar year (Aviator Business card only).</li>  
  
 
{{Benefit Elite}}
 
{{Benefit Elite}}
  
−
<li>'''An annual $99 companion certificate (with a $30,000 spending requirement,''' business cards only). You can only use the certificate on American-operated flights within the continental United States. Your companion will only need to pay $20-40 in additional taxes and fees. Using one of these cards for $30,000 worth of spending, translates to about $300 in lost rewards you could have earned from the best general-purpose reward cards. So, the effective cost of the companion ticket is about $400. The certificate from the Aviator Silver card can be used by up to two companions, so can be a better deal. Spending for the Citibank card is based on each 12 month period, starting from when you opened the credit card. Spending for the Barclay card is based on each 12 month period including your anniversary month.</li>  
+
<li>'''Primary Rental Car Insurance''' (Business Platinum Card only). The Business Platinum card comes with primary rental car insurance. Unlike the secondary insurance that comes with most other credit cards, if you get in an accident, you won't need to involve your personal auto insurance company. The personal version of the Premier card doesn't come with this benefit. {{Link|primary insurance}}.</li>
  
−
<li>'''Primary Rental Car Insurance''' (Business Platinum Card only). The Business Platinum card comes with primary rental car insurance. Unlike the secondary insurance that comes with most other credit cards, if you get in an accident, you won't need to involve your personal auto insurance company. The personal version of the Premier card does not come with this benefit. {{Link|primary insurance}}.</li>
+
<li>'''Flight Cents'''. (Barclays cards only). You have the option of rounding up your purchases to the nearest dollar and using the extra money to purchase American Airlines miles at 2 cents each. In their example, if you bought a cup of coffee for $3.10, your purchase would be rounded up to $4.00, you would receive an additional 45 miles plus the normal 3 miles from the original purchase. We wouldn't buy AA miles at this price, but some people may want to.</li>
  
−
<li>'''Annual $100 flight discount coupon''' (with $20,000 spend, Citibank personal card only}. You'll miss out on around $200 worth of rewards, by using this card instead of your general-purpose reward card, for $20,000 in spending. So, unless you can take advantage of bonus reward rates for much of this spending, it isn't worthwhile to try to earn the discount. Spending is based on each 12 month period, starting when you received your card. </li>
 
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
−
The Gold version of the card doesn't provide the key benefits that make getting one of the other cards worthwhile. However, it does come with the Elite Mastercard benefits (rental car elite status and luxury hotel access), a smaller discount on reduced mileage awards, and the 25% inflight food and beverage credit.
+
The MileUp version of the card doesn't provide the key benefits that make getting one of the other cards worthwhile. However, it does come with the Elite Mastercard benefits (rental car elite status and luxury hotel access), and the 25% inflight food and beverage credit.
−
 
 
 
==== Comparison Table ====
 
==== Comparison Table ====
  
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!style="width: .75in;"|Platinum
 
!style="width: .75in;"|Platinum
 
!style="width: .75in;"|Platinum Business
 
!style="width: .75in;"|Platinum Business
−
!style="width: .75in;"|Aviator
+
!style="width: .75in;"|Aviator  
 
!style="width: .75in;"|Aviator Business
 
!style="width: .75in;"|Aviator Business
−
!style="width: .75in;"|Gold
+
!style="width: .75in;"|MileUp
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Free checked bag (total passengers)
 
|Free checked bag (total passengers)
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| 5
 
| 5
 
|  
 
|  
−
|-
 
−
|10% point rebate
 
−
| yes
 
−
|
 
−
| yes
 
−
|
 
−
| yes
 
−
|-
 
−
|5% point earning bonus
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
| yes
 
−
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Priority boarding
 
|Priority boarding
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| yes
 
| yes
 
|
 
|
−
|-
 
−
|Reduced mileage award discount
 
−
| 7,500
 
−
| 7,500
 
−
| 7,500
 
−
| 7,500
 
−
| 5,000
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Inflight purchase discount
 
|Inflight purchase discount
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| yes
 
| yes
 
| yes
 
| yes
 +
|-
 +
|$25 annual Wi-Fi credit
 +
|
 +
|
 +
| yes
 +
|
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Elite car rental status
 
|Elite car rental status
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| yes
 
| yes
 
|-
 
|-
−
|-
+
|$99 companion certificate
−
|Can earn $99 companion certificate
 
 
|  
 
|  
−
| yes
+
|$30K spend
 
|
 
|
−
| yes
+
|$30K spend
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|$100 flight discount (with $20,000 spend)
+
|$100 flight discount
−
|yes
+
|$20K spend
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
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|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Bonus rewards on other purchases
+
| $3,000 elite qualifying dollars
 
|
 
|
−
| yes
+
|  
 
|
 
|
−
| yes
+
| $25K spend
 
|
 
|
 
{{/Table}}
 
{{/Table}}
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==== Additional Benefits of the Aviator Silver ====
 
==== Additional Benefits of the Aviator Silver ====
  
−
Once you've had your Aviator Red card for 90 days, you can call to upgrade it to the Aviator Silver card. Your annual fee will increase to $19, but you'll get a number of additional benefits. [https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/miles/partners/credit-card/aadvantage-aviator-silver-world-elite-mastercard.jsp Aviator Silver webpage].  
+
Once you've had your Aviator Red card for 90 days, you can call and upgrade it to the Aviator Silver card. Your annual fee will increase to $195, but you'll get a number of additional benefits. [//creditcards.aa.com/barclay-credit-card-aviator-silver-american-airlines-aadvantage/ Aviator Silver webpage].  
  
 
<ul class="bulletlist">
 
<ul class="bulletlist">
−
<li>'''Earn up to 10,000 qualifying miles per year'''. You'll receive 5,000 qualifying miles, for each $25,000 you spend, up to a maximum of 10,000 miles. You can combine these with qualifying miles from the premium AAdvantage Executive card, to earn up to 20,000 miles per year (by spending a total of $90,000).</li>  
+
<li>'''Earn up to 10,000 qualifying miles per year'''. You'll receive 5,000 qualifying miles for every $25,000 you spend, up to a maximum of 10,000 miles. You can combine these with qualifying miles from the premium AAdvantage Executive card to earn up to 20,000 miles per year (by spending a total of $90,000).</li>
 +
 
 +
<li>'''Earn additional qualifying dollars'''. If you spend $50,000 with the card, you'll earn $3,000 qualifying dollars.</li>  
  
−
<li>'''Earn additional qualifying dollars'''. If you spend $50,000 with the card, you'll earn $3,000 qualifying dollars. For 2018, you earn 3,000 miles for each $25,000 of spending (up to 6,000 miles total). </li>  
+
<li>'''The $99 companion certificate is good for 2 people'''.</li>  
  
−
<li>'''Access to the $99 companion certificate'''. Like the American Airlines business cards, you'll earn a companion certificate, if you spend $30,000 per year on the card.</li>  
+
<li>'''$25 inflight food and beverage credit EVERY day you fly'''. Based on an Eastern Standard Time calendar day. Only on American (and their regional affiliate) operated flights. This can add up if you fly American a lot.  Plus your annual Wi-Fi credit is $50, rather than $25.</li>  
  
−
<li>'''Earn 3x AA miles on AA purchases'''. This makes the card a much more competitive option for your American Airline purchases, compared to cards that generally earn good rewards on general airfare purchases. If you are a big American Airlines fan, this can be a reason to get this card.</li>  
+
<li>'''Earn 3x AA miles on AA purchases'''. This makes the card a much more competitive option for your American Airline purchases compared to cards that generally earn good rewards on general airfare purchases. If you are a big American Airlines fan, this can be a reason to get this card.</li>  
  
 
<li>'''The free baggage benefits applies to nine, instead of five passengers'''.</li>
 
<li>'''The free baggage benefits applies to nine, instead of five passengers'''.</li>
 +
 +
{{Benefit TSA|five}}
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
−
=== Which Card to Get? ===
+
=== Bonus Categories ===
−
 
 
−
Assuming that you want to get one of these cards, to take advantage of the American Airlines benefits, which is your best option?
 
  
 
<ul class="bulletlist">
 
<ul class="bulletlist">
  
−
<li>'''The optimum strategy is usually to switch back and forth between the AAdvantage Platinum card and the Aviator Card'''. You'd start with the AAdvantage Platinum card. Then just before you needed to pay the annual fee at the end of your first year, apply for the Aviator card, and cancel the Platinum card. Two years later, apply for the Platinum card again, and cancel the Aviator card. Then, a year later, switch back again. This maximizing the amount of miles you can earn from the signup bonuses, while continuously holding onto your American Airline benefits.</li>  
+
<li>'''You are better off making your American Airlines purchases with a card that earns a high reward rate on all your airfare spending, rather than with one of the American Airlines cards (other than the Aviator Silver)'''. 2x American Airlines are not as good as what you'd earn from a card that earns high bonus rewards on airfare purchases. The 3x rewards you can earn from the Aviator Silver card (if you have it), is more compelling and better than what you can earn from most other cards, but still not as good as the best travel rewards cards.{{Link|Travel Spending}}.</li>
  
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Cancelling just before your annual fee is due, minimizes the fees you'll pay. Waiting to cancel, until after you've been approved for the next card, gives you the option of keeping your existing card, if for some reason, you don't get approved.  
+
<li>'''Most American Airlines cards offer 2x miles on some additional categories'''. These are probably more than what you can earn from your general-purpose card. But other cards earn more valuable rewards.</li>
  
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<li>'''If you want to keep things simpler, there isn't much reason to prefer one card to the other'''. Just get whichever card currently has the highest signup bonus, factoring in that Citibank waives the annual fee the first year you have the card.</li>  
+
<ul>
 +
<li>The Citibank personal card offers 2x miles on restaurants. {{Link|restaurant spending}}.</li>
  
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<li>'''Some people may be interested in the business version—if so, you are better off with the Aviator Business card'''. If you have any type of side business, even if you haven't made any money yet, you are eligible for a small business card. To learn more read {{Link|Business cards}}. The Aviator version has a 5% point earning bonus on your points, and earns bonus rewards on Office Supplies (which is less common from other cards), rather than gas (which is more common). That usually makes it a better option, despite the need to spend the extra $95 during the first year. </li>
+
<li>Both Citibank personal cards offer 2x miles on gas. {{Link|Gas spending}}.</li>
  
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The business versions of both cards gives you access to the $99 companion certificate (and bonus rewards in some additional categories), but give up the 10% rebate on points used for awards, and the World Elite Mastercard benefits. Given the opportunity cost of earning rewards with any of these cards, compared to a good general-purpose reward card, the limitation of the companion certificate to domestic flights, and the loss of up to $150 in value from the points rebate, we don't usually recommend getting the business card, just to earn the companion certificate. If you really want the certificate, it is usually better to get the Aviator silver card instead.  
+
<li>Both business cards offer 2x miles on telecommunication providers and car rentals and the Barclays business card offers 2x miles at office supply stores. This might be useful if you don't have any cards that offer more valuable rewards on this common "business categories. {{Link|Uncommon Categories}}.</li>
  
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<li>'''If you are an American Airlines frequent flyer, you may want to get the AAdvantage Executive or Aviator Silver card instead'''. The Executive card costs $250, but you are likely to be able to get good use from the Admiral Club membership. The Silver card gives you the added benefit of getting the companion certificate and qualifying dollars, at the same time that you are using the card to earn qualifying miles. In addition, you'll get increased rewards on any American Airlines purchases. Most people aren't going to want to spend the extra money every year to unlock the extra benefits, but it can easily be worth it, if you are flying on American a lot.</li>  
+
<li>The Aviator Silver offers 2x miles on hotels and car rentals. {{Link|travel spending}}.</li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
  
−
=== Bonus Categories ===
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{{Bonus Everyday|plural}}
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</ul>
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=== Getting Rid of the Card ===
  
 
<ul class="bulletlist">
 
<ul class="bulletlist">
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<li>{{Cancel Keep Points|American Airlines miles|miles|American Airlines}} As long as you hold your card for 45 days after the anniversary date, any unused companion certificates should be safe as well.</li>
  
−
<li>'''You are better off making your American Airlines purchases with a card that earns a high reward rate on all your airfare spending, rather than with one of the American Airlines cards (other than the Aviator Silver)'''. 2x American Airlines miles are better than what you'd earn from most general-purpose reward cards, but not as good as what you'd earn from a card that earns high bonus rewards on airfare purchases. However, the 3x rewards you can earn from the Aviator Silver card (if you have it), is more compelling, and better than what you can earn from most other cards. {{Link|Travel Spending}}.</li>
+
<li>'''You can wait to cancel your card until after the annual fee shows up on your statement'''. As long as you cancel within 30 days of the statement closing date, both Citibank and Barclays will refund the fee. After 30 days, Citibank will give you a pro-rated refund when you downgrade to a lower-priced card.</li>
  
−
<li>'''The business versions of the cards earn 2x miles on some additional categories'''. The Citibank card earns bonuses on telecommunications, car rentals, and gas stations. The Barclays card earns bonuses on telecommunications, car rentals, and office supplies. But, if you are applying for business cards, you've got access to other cards which earn higher rewards for these categories. {{Link|Uncommon Categories}}.</li>
+
<li>'''Cancelling your Citibank AA card resets the clock for earning another Citibank Aadvantage signup bonus'''. You aren't eligible if you've opened or closed account within the last 48 months. Product changing, rather than cancelling, shouldn't reset the clock. But sometimes it does and there is really no rhyme or reason to it. You should theoretically be able to product change to any other Citibank personal credit card, such as the no-annual-fee MileUp or Rewards+ Card.</li>
  
−
<li>'''The Citi Platinum card earns 2x miles on Restaurants and Gas'''. That's better than what you would earn from a general-purpose reward card, but not as good as you could earn from cards that earn good bonus rewards for these categories. {{Link|Restaurant spending}}. {{Link|Gas Spending}}. </li>
+
<li>'''You can product change between the personal versions of the Aviator Card and you can product change between any personal Citibank cards'''. There is a "secret" no-annual-fee Aviator card and a not-so-secret no-annual-fee Citibank card, so both types of personal cards can be temporarily converted to no-annual-fee versions.</li>  
  
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{{Bonus Everyday|plural}}
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<li>{{Cancel Retention}}</li>
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</ul>  
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</ul>
  
 
{{/Main|card}}
 
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{{/Page|card}}

Latest revision as of 14:23, 10 September 2021

  Citibank Credit Cards, Airline Credit Cards

AACard.jpg

Citibank Webpage
American Airlines Webpage
Annual Fee

$95-99, Citibank cards waive first year

Current Offer

Aviator Personal: 60,000 miles on initial purchase plus a waived first year fee. Offer Link.

Aviator Business: 80,000 miles: 50,000 with $1,000 initial spend plus an additional 30,000 with a total of $6,000 spend during first year.

Citibank Personal: 60,000 miles ($3,000 initial spend) plus 5,000 EQMs. Offer Link.

Citibank Business: 65,000 miles ($4,000 initial spend in first 4 months)
Typical Signup Offer

Aviator cards: 40,000 AA miles, on initial purchase.

Citibank Personal: 30,000 AA miles, with $1,000 initial spend.

Citibank Business: 50,000 AA miles, with $3,000 initial spend.

Signup Bonus Chart
Bonus Categories

2x American Airline Purchases (3x with Aviator Silver)

2x Additional categories with some cards

1x Everywhere Else


No Foreign Transaction Fee


AACard.jpg


If you frequently travel on American Airlines, you should get ine of the American Airlines cards to take advantage of free checked bags and other American Airlines benefits. These cards are also interesting just for their often valuable signup bonuses. Just don't use them for your everyday spending.


Jump to


American Airlines Credit Card Options

The "standard" American Airlines card is available from both Citibank and Barclays in both a personal and business version.

Each has an annual fee of $95-99. If you are planning to keep one of these cards for the long term, the Barclays Red has slightly better features. But you might want to rotate through different versions to maximize the number of signup bonuses you receive.

AACard.jpg

Citibank AAdvantage Platinum. If you spend $20,000 in a year, you'll receive a $125 discount certificate. $99 annual fee, waived first year. Citibank Webpage. AA Webpage. Signup Bonus Chart.

AviatorRed.png

Aviator Red. If you spend $20,000 in a year, you'll receive a $99 companion certificate (rather than the Citibank card's $125 fight discount). The $95 fee isn't waived the first year, but the normal signup bonus is often better than the Citibank version's. Barclays Webpage. Signup Bonus Chart.

AABizCard.jpg

CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum. If you spend $30,000 in a year, you'll receive a $99 companion certificate. $99 annual fee, waived first year. Citibank Webpage, AA Webpage.Signup Bonus Chart.

AviatorBiz.png

Aviator Business. If you spend $30,000 in a year, you'll receive a $99 compaion certificate, good for up to 2 companions. It also comes with an annual $25 WiFi credit. Barclays Webpage. Signup Bonus Chart.

In addition, there are three other American Airlines cards.

AviatorSilver.jpg

Aviator Silver. You can't apply for this card directly. Instead, you apply for the regular Aviator card and then upgrade to the Silver card. The additional benefits are covered in more detail below. $195 annual fee. AA Webpage.

AAMileUp.png

Citibank MileUp Card. No annual fee. Replaces the older AAdvantage Gold card. Like that card, it doesn't come with useful benefits. Citibank webpage. AA Webpage.

AAExecutive.jpg

Citibank Executive Card. Includes some valuable additional benefits, such as an Admiral Club Membership. The additional benefits are fully covered in its own guide American Airlines Executive Card. $450 annual fee.

Collecting American Airlines Signup Bonuses

  • It is worth signing up for these cards, just to collect the signup bonuses. Typical signup bonuses are around 30-50,000 American Airline miles.
  • You can take advantage of signup bonuses from multiple different American Airlines cards. You can earn the bonus from each Citibank card and the Barclays card. And if you have any type of small business, you can collect bonuses from both the Citibank and Barclay business cards as well. Unlock Extra Reward Points with Business Credit Cards
  • You can only receive the signup bonus for each Citibank card once every 48 months. Each card has its own separate "clock". Some targeted offers bypass this rule.
  • Barclays doesn't have a specific signup bonus limit, but it is hard to get more than one or two cards per year. This limits your ability to cancel and apply for the Aviator card over and over again. If you are collecting signup bonuses, it is sometimes hard to get approved for new Barclays cards.
  • If you are interested in the standard benefits and want to optimize your rewards, you can rotate through the various cards. Rather than getting the cards all at once, spread them out over time. Make sure to apply for the new card before it is time to cancel the previous one. Assuming you are eligible for business cards and can continue to get approved for the Barclays card, you should be able to get a new bonus every year to offset the cost of holding onto one of the cards.

    • Remember to only cancel an existing Citibank card right after getting approved for a new one. If you need to get rid of it at another time, downgrade to the no-annual-fee version so that you don't reset the 48 month clock.

Big Spend Bonus (Companion Certificates)

The main difference between the different versions of the card is the extra benefit you get for using the card for a lot of spending.

  • The Citibank personal card gives you a very flexible $125 flight discount certificate if you spent at least $20,000.
  • The Barclays personal card give you a potentially more valuable $99+tax companion certificate with the same $20,000 spending requirement. This certificate can only be used on domestic economy flights, but is otherwise pretty flexible (and likely to be worth more than the Citibank's card $125 discount. Get 2 for 1 Airplane Tickets with Credit Card Companion Certificates.
  • The business cards from both Citibank and Barclays also give you a $99+tax companion certificate, but require $30,000 of spending (instead of $20,000).
  • The premium Barclays Silver Card gives you a $99 companion certificate with $20,000 of spending (like the Barclays Red card). But the Silver Card's certificate can be used for up to two companions, rather than for one.

All of the certificates expire one year after you earn them. Keep in mind that you only receive these benefits weeks after you pay the annual fee to renew the card.

Other Notable Benefits

Benefit List

The personal and business versions of the AAdvantage Platinum and Aviator Red card have the following benefits.

  • Free checked bags. The first checked bag is free for the primary cardholder and up to four companion. Get Free Checked Bags with Airline Credit Cards.
  • Priority boarding.
  • 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases.
  • $25 inflight Wi-Fi credit, every anniversary year. (Aviator Red card only).
  • $3,000 elite qualifying dollars if you spend $25,000 on the card during a calendar year (Aviator Business card only).
  • Elite car rental status. As with all World Elite MasterCards, you get free National Emerald Club Executive and Sixt Platinum status. Instant Car Rental Elite Status.
  • Access to Mastercard's luxury hotel program. Another benefit of high-end MasterCards is access to MasterCard's luxury hotel program. When you use the program to book one of the participating hotels, you'll get a number of valuable benefits, like free breakfast, a $100 hotel credit, a room upgrade, and late checkout.Take Advantage of Luxury Hotel Programs for Valuable Extra Perks.
  • Free ShopRunner membership. Like all World Elite MasterCards, your card entitles you to a complimentary ShopRunner membership, which provides free two-day and return shipping from around 150 of the largest online retailers. ShopRunner.
  • DoorDash and Hello Fresh discounts. Cardmembers who have a DoorDash membership get $5 off their first two orders each month when paid for by their Mastercard. If you don't have a free membership from Chase, you can get your first three months membership for free through Mastercard. You also get a 5% credit back on each HelloFresh purchase.
  • Some additional discounts. If you pay for at least 3 Lyft rides each calendar month with your Mastercard, you'll receive a $5 Lyft credit good for the following month (once you enroll in the Lyft app). You also receive double Fandango points, a 5% reward rebate at Boxed, and $5 off every Postmates order of $25 or more.
  • Primary Rental Car Insurance (Business Platinum Card only). The Business Platinum card comes with primary rental car insurance. Unlike the secondary insurance that comes with most other credit cards, if you get in an accident, you won't need to involve your personal auto insurance company. The personal version of the Premier card doesn't come with this benefit. Credit Cards That Provide “Primary” Rental Car Coverage.
  • Flight Cents. (Barclays cards only). You have the option of rounding up your purchases to the nearest dollar and using the extra money to purchase American Airlines miles at 2 cents each. In their example, if you bought a cup of coffee for $3.10, your purchase would be rounded up to $4.00, you would receive an additional 45 miles plus the normal 3 miles from the original purchase. We wouldn't buy AA miles at this price, but some people may want to.

The MileUp version of the card doesn't provide the key benefits that make getting one of the other cards worthwhile. However, it does come with the Elite Mastercard benefits (rental car elite status and luxury hotel access), and the 25% inflight food and beverage credit.

Comparison Table

Benefit Platinum Platinum Business Aviator Aviator Business MileUp
Free checked bag (total passengers) 5 5 5 5
Priority boarding yes yes yes yes
Inflight purchase discount yes yes yes yes yes
$25 annual Wi-Fi credit yes
Elite car rental status yes yes
Luxury hotel program yes yes yes yes yes
$99 companion certificate $30K spend $30K spend
$100 flight discount $20K spend
$3,000 elite qualifying dollars $25K spend

Additional Benefits of the Aviator Silver

Once you've had your Aviator Red card for 90 days, you can call and upgrade it to the Aviator Silver card. Your annual fee will increase to $195, but you'll get a number of additional benefits. Aviator Silver webpage.

  • Earn up to 10,000 qualifying miles per year. You'll receive 5,000 qualifying miles for every $25,000 you spend, up to a maximum of 10,000 miles. You can combine these with qualifying miles from the premium AAdvantage Executive card to earn up to 20,000 miles per year (by spending a total of $90,000).
  • Earn additional qualifying dollars. If you spend $50,000 with the card, you'll earn $3,000 qualifying dollars.
  • The $99 companion certificate is good for 2 people.
  • $25 inflight food and beverage credit EVERY day you fly. Based on an Eastern Standard Time calendar day. Only on American (and their regional affiliate) operated flights. This can add up if you fly American a lot. Plus your annual Wi-Fi credit is $50, rather than $25.
  • Earn 3x AA miles on AA purchases. This makes the card a much more competitive option for your American Airline purchases compared to cards that generally earn good rewards on general airfare purchases. If you are a big American Airlines fan, this can be a reason to get this card.
  • The free baggage benefits applies to nine, instead of five passengers.
  • $100 TSA fee credit. Every five years, you can receive an automatic reimbursement of your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee (up to $100).

Bonus Categories

  • You are better off making your American Airlines purchases with a card that earns a high reward rate on all your airfare spending, rather than with one of the American Airlines cards (other than the Aviator Silver). 2x American Airlines are not as good as what you'd earn from a card that earns high bonus rewards on airfare purchases. The 3x rewards you can earn from the Aviator Silver card (if you have it), is more compelling and better than what you can earn from most other cards, but still not as good as the best travel rewards cards.Best Credit Cards for Travel Spending.
  • Most American Airlines cards offer 2x miles on some additional categories. These are probably more than what you can earn from your general-purpose card. But other cards earn more valuable rewards.
  • You don't want to use these cards for your everyday spending. You'll earn higher rewards from a good general-purpose reward card. Get a Great General Purpose Reward Card and Use It for All of Your Spending.

Getting Rid of the Card

  • You can cancel without worrying about losing your American Airlines miles. Once you earn them, they are treated like any other miles in your American Airlines account. As long as you hold your card for 45 days after the anniversary date, any unused companion certificates should be safe as well.
  • You can wait to cancel your card until after the annual fee shows up on your statement. As long as you cancel within 30 days of the statement closing date, both Citibank and Barclays will refund the fee. After 30 days, Citibank will give you a pro-rated refund when you downgrade to a lower-priced card.
  • Cancelling your Citibank AA card resets the clock for earning another Citibank Aadvantage signup bonus. You aren't eligible if you've opened or closed account within the last 48 months. Product changing, rather than cancelling, shouldn't reset the clock. But sometimes it does and there is really no rhyme or reason to it. You should theoretically be able to product change to any other Citibank personal credit card, such as the no-annual-fee MileUp or Rewards+ Card.
  • You can product change between the personal versions of the Aviator Card and you can product change between any personal Citibank cards. There is a "secret" no-annual-fee Aviator card and a not-so-secret no-annual-fee Citibank card, so both types of personal cards can be temporarily converted to no-annual-fee versions.
  • You might be able to receive a retention offer to keep your card. It could be enough to make it worthwhile to keep the card.



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