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Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers of April 2024

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 perks like lounge access and free checked luggage or seeking a more general travel rewards card that offers flexible rewards and benefits across multiple airlines, there’s a great option for you.

We have firsthand experience getting and utilizing many of the best American Airlines credit cards — so check out our analysis of the current offers below from our partners.

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.
  • Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: Best for American Airlines lounge access
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for travel insurance
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for luxury benefits
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for travel credits

Best for American Airlines lounge access
Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review
4XEarn 4x AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
1X1 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on other purchases
Open Intro bonus
Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
70,000 miles
$595
21.24% - 29.99% (Variable)
Open Credit score description
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
670-850Excellent, Good

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is best for American Airlines flyers who value lounge access. It provides a full Admirals Club membership, as well as a number of other benefits that make flying American Airlines more enjoyable, such as a free checked bag, priority check-in, priority airport screening and priority boarding privileges, along with a boost toward elite status.

Pros

  • Offers Admirals Club lounge access
  • Priority check-in, airport screening, boarding and a free checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions
  • 25% discount on inflight food and beverages
  • Receive a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Fee Statement Credit

Cons

  • Miles redemption limited to American Airlines and its Oneworld partners
  • 25% inflight credit doesn't include Wi-Fi
  • Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
  • Admirals Club® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
  • Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
  • 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 travel insurance
Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
4.5 / 5
Go to review
5x5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
3x3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
2x2x on all other travel purchases.
1x1x on all other purchases.
Open Intro bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
60,000 bonus points
$95
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Open Credit score description
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
670-850Excellent/Good

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit card on the market. Offering an excellent return on travel and dining purchases, the card packs a ton of value that easily offsets its $95 annual fee. Cardholders can redeem points at 1.25 cents each for travel booked through Chase or transfer points to one of Chase’s 14 valuable airline and hotel partners. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

Pros

  • You’ll earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases, 2 points per dollar on all other travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else
  • Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance

Cons

  • The card comes with a $95 annual fee
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC

Best for luxury benefits
Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
4.5 / 5
Go to review
5XEarn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
5XEarn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
Open Intro bonus
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 80,000 points
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
Open Credit score description
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
670-850Excellent/Good

The Amex Platinum is unmatched when it comes to travel perks and benefits. If lounge access, hotel elite status and annual statement credits are important to you, this card is well worth the high annual fee. Read our full review of the Platinum Card from American Express.

Pros

  • The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative
  • This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, and at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more (enrollment required)
  • The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway

Cons

  • The $695 annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost
  • Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning bonus rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories
  • The annual airline fee credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
  • $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Best for travel credits
Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
4.5 / 5
Go to review
10xEarn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
5xEarn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠.
3xEarn 3x points on other travel and dining.
1xEarn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Open Intro bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
60,000 bonus points
$550
22.49% - 29.49% Variable
Open Credit score description
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
740-850Excellent

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of our top premium travel cards. With a $300 travel credit, bonus points on dining and travel purchases and other benefits, you can get excellent value that far exceeds the annual fee on the card. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Pros

  • $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
  • Access to Chase Ultimate Rewards hotel and airline travel partners
  • 10 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals and Chase Dining purchases through the Chase Travel℠ portal, 5 points per dollar on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 3 points per dollar on all other travel and dining, 1 point per dollar on everything else
  • 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel directly through Chase Travel℠

Cons

  • Steep initial $550 annual fee
  • May not make sense for people that don't travel frequently
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
  • Member FDIC

Comparing the best credit cards

Credit card
Best forIntro offerEarning rateAnnual fee
3
Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
at Citi's secure site
American Airlines lounge access
70,000 miles
Open Intro bonus
Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
1 - 4X miles
$595
4.5
Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
at Chase's secure site
travel insurance
60,000 bonus points
Open Intro bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
1 - 5X points
$95
4.5
Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
at American Express's secure site
luxury benefits
Earn 80,000 points
Open Intro bonus
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
5X points
$695
4.5
Open Editors rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
at Chase's secure site
travel credits
60,000 bonus points
Open Intro bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
1 - 10X points
$550

More details on the best credit cards

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

The Citi AAdvantage Executive card has a massive $595 annual fee (see rates and fees). But we love it for the valuable perks it provides to frequent American Airlines flyers — including full membership access to Admirals Club lounges and up to 20,000 additional Loyalty Points each AAdvantage status-qualifying year.

The card is a great option if you want Admirals Club access before and after eligible same-day flights marketed or operated by American Airlines (or marketed and operated by any other Oneworld carrier). These privileges even extend to two guests (or immediate family members). Authorized users on your card also get access to Admirals Clubs during eligible travel. However, you’ll need to pay $175 per year for up to three authorized users (and $175 for each authorized user after that).

“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. The information for the Citi Platinum Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of our favorite travel rewards cards. We love that you can earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points on your purchases, including multiple bonus categories. Plus, you’ll get up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through the Chase travel portal.

If you travel at least a few times each year, don’t always fly on American Airlines and want to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points on your purchases, the Chase Sapphire Preferred may be well worth its modest annual fee.

“The Chase Sapphire Preferred has remained a top card in my wallet for years. Between the consistently strong sign-up bonus, low annual fee and continual improvements that have been made over the years, it's hard for any other mid-tier rewards card to compare. I love that I can earn bonus rewards on travel, dining, streaming and online grocery purchases — all with just one card. Plus, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are valuable and easy to use whether you're new to points and miles or an expert.” — Madison Blancaflor, senior content operations editor

If you’d rather earn Citi ThankYou Rewards points, the Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees) is another solid mid-tier travel rewards card with a sub-$100 annual fee. The Citi Premier earns 3 points per dollar at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and hotels and on air travel, but only offers 1 point per dollar on other travel purchases.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Amex Platinum carries a hefty $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). But we still love it due to the sheer number of cardmember perks it offers. This includes a up to $200 airline fee credit, a up to $189 Clear Plus credit and 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar). Enrollment is required.

If you want to earn Amex Membership Rewards points on your purchases, have a Centurion Lounge at airports you frequently transit, don’t need perks specific to American Airlines flights and will use many of the benefits and statement credits offered by the Amex Platinum, then it may be the right card for you.

“Whilst this card has a high annual fee, it more than justifies itself for frequent travelers like me. The lounge access options that come with the Platinum are unrivaled by competitors. I put all of my flights — whether bought with cash or points — on this card to earn 5 points per dollar spent (on the first $500,000 per calendar year) and trip protection insurance. I make sure to take full advantage of the Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hulu/Disney+ and Clear credits (enrollment required). And, honestly, pulling a Platinum card out of your wallet to pay for something does feel pretty fancy.” — Matt Moffitt, senior credit cards editor

If you don’t frequently see Centurion Lounges in your travels and don’t want to squeeze value from the Amex Platinum’s many statement credits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® might be a better premium travel rewards card for you. You’d earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points instead of Amex Membership Rewards points, but the Sapphire Reserve’s $300 annual travel credit is easy to use, and you’d earn at least 3 points per dollar on all your travel purchases.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve carries a $550 annual fee but offers a $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass Select membership and a number of bonus categories. The card also offers some of the best travel protections when you use your card to book.

If you frequently book travel and want to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points on your purchases, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a good option. You’ll get the most value when you transfer your points to Chase’s partners, but Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can also redeem points at a rate of 1.5 cents apiece for travel purchased through the Chase travel portal.

“I've had the Sapphire Reserve for years, and it's going to stay in my wallet for the near future. I get $300 off travel every year, along with great earning rates on travel and dining (3 points per dollar) and varied travel protections that can reimburse me when things go wrong. And by leveraging other cards in the Ultimate Rewards ecosystem, I'm able to maximize the earnings across all of my purchases.” — Nick Ewen, director of content

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a lower annual fee and fewer perks but still offers solid travel protections, at least 2 points per dollar on all travel purchases and the ability to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Maximizing American Airlines credit cards

Decide what benefits are important

If you are searching for an American Airlines credit card, you may want one that provides perks when you fly American Airlines. For example, if you want Admirals Club access when flying American Airlines and select partners, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is the best card. Meanwhile, if you don’t need lounge access but want preferred boarding and a first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries, the lower-annual-fee Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® might be best.

However, if you frequently fly other airlines besides American Airlines, you may want to get a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® that offers Priority Pass Select lounge membership and statement credits for travel purchases you make with your card.

Choose the rewards you want to earn

Some of the cards we’ve highlighted above earn American Airlines miles. These miles are valuable, but you can only redeem them with the American Airlines AAdvantage program.

However, some cards earn transferable rewards you can redeem in many ways. For example, a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points allows you to book travel on any airline through the Chase travel portal, but you can also redeem points for hotels, rental cars and even activities. Alternatively, you can transfer points to one of Chase’s fantastic partners. These rewards are much more flexible than miles associated with an individual airline loyalty program.

Earn Loyalty Points through spending

One other aspect to consider is whether you’re hoping to earn Loyalty Points when you spend on your credit card. Loyalty Points are the metric American Airlines uses for elite status qualification, and you can spend your way to AAdvantage elite status using cobranded American Airlines credit cards.

However, know that bonuses and accelerators will earn redeemable miles but not Loyalty Points. As such, you’ll earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent with the cobranded American AAdvantage cards highlighted above.

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.

What is American Airlines?

American Airlines is a major airline headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

American Airlines pins its start to a flight in 1926 when a chief pilot of Robertson Aircraft Corporation stowed a bag of mail in his DH-4 biplane. In 1940, American Airlines opened airport lounges for its customers. And in 1981, American Airlines launched the AAdvantage loyalty program.

Types of American Airlines credit cards

Each cobranded American Airlines credit card offers its own set of valuable perks and benefits. Here are a few that should factor into deciding which might be best for you.

Frequent travelers who are loyal to American Airlines will enjoy the perks of having a cobranded credit card that provides them with benefits that include lounge access. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® offers Admirals Club access where cardholders can enjoy snacks, made-to-order food, drinks and more.

American Airlines credit card benefits

Cobranded American Airlines credit cards offer many benefits for travelers. Here’s a look at what you can expect from some of the AAdvantage credit cards we discussed above.

All of the cobranded American Airlines credit cards earn AAdvantage miles. Here’s a look at how many miles you’ll earn on purchases with some of the best American Airlines credit cards:

The information for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp, and AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

You can often earn a sign-up bonus if you’re approved for a new American Airlines credit card and meet the minimum spending requirements for the bonus. Many of the current offers are available in this story — though be sure to review our guide to credit card application restrictions and our history of Citi welcome bonuses to ensure you’re maximizing your chances of approval and getting the best possible offer.

Three of the cobranded American Airlines credit cards we highlighted above offer a first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to a set number of companions traveling with you on the same reservation.

Cardholders of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard get a first checked bag free for up to eight companions, while cardholders of the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard and AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard get a first checked bag free for up to four travel companions.

Many credit cards offer a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit. This credit usually provides a statement credit for an eligible Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee charged to your card every four to five years. A few of the cards highlighted in this guide offer this perk, including:

The information for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, and AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.
For rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.

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

Ask our experts

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

Pros + Cons of American Airlines credit cards

Pros

  • Using American credit cards responsibly can help you build your credit score
  • American credit cards can earn AAdvantage miles (or flexible travel rewards) every time you use them
  • Spending on cobranded American Airlines cards helps 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

  • Spending beyond your means with an American credit card can damage your credit score
  • Earning American AAdvantage miles means you’re limited to awards through that program
  • You may not travel with American and its partners enough to make an AAdvantage credit card worthwhile

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 Elite 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.

Only one major credit card currency allows transfers to American AAdvantage: Bilt Rewards. These transfers occur at a 1:1 ratio, and they usually process within 24 hours. You also 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.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.
For rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.