What AAdvantage Credit Cards Are
AAdvantage credit cards are issued by Citi and Barclays in partnership with American Airlines. They let you earn miles on everyday purchases and redeem those miles for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel rewards. Unlike a general rewards card that gives you cash back, an AAdvantage card ties your spending directly to American Airlines' frequent flyer program.
The cards come in several versions — some designed for frequent flyers, some for occasional travelers, and some for business spending. Each version has different earning rates, annual fees, and sign-up bonuses. The miles you earn never expire as long as your account stays active, even if you don't use the card for a period of time.
You don't need to be an American Airlines frequent flyer already to open one of these cards. When you open the account, you automatically become an AAdvantage member if you aren't one already.
Key Takeaways
- AAdvantage cards earn miles on purchases that you can use for American Airlines flights, upgrades, and other rewards through the AAdvantage program.
- Different card versions offer different earning rates and annual fees, so the right card depends on how much you fly and spend.
- Sign-up bonuses typically offer a large number of miles after you spend a certain amount in the first few months, and this bonus is often the biggest value you'll get from the card.
- Miles earned on the card can be combined with miles from flying American Airlines, and they don't expire as long as your account stays active.
- You can redeem miles for flights, seat upgrades, checked baggage fees, and other travel-related purchases through the AAdvantage program.
The Main AAdvantage Card Options
Citi issues the most common AAdvantage cards: the AAdvantage Platinum Select, the AAdvantage Gold, and the AAdvantage Platinum Business. Barclays issues the AAdvantage Aviator card. Each has a different annual fee, earning structure, and set of perks.
The Platinum Select is the most popular consumer card. It charges an annual fee and gives you a certain number of bonus miles each year just for keeping the card open. It also earns miles on every purchase you make.
The Gold card has a lower annual fee and is designed for people who don't fly American Airlines as often. The Platinum Business card is built for business owners and employees who put company spending on a card.
The Aviator card from Barclays typically has a lower annual fee than the Citi cards and may appeal to people who want AAdvantage miles without paying as much to hold the card. Compare the annual fees, bonus miles offers, and earning rates across all versions before you decide which fits your spending and travel patterns.
How Sign-Up Bonuses Work
When you open an AAdvantage card, you receive a sign-up bonus if you meet a spending requirement within a set timeframe — usually three to six months. The bonus is typically 50,000 to 75,000 miles, though this amount changes based on current offers.
To earn the bonus, you must spend a specific amount on the card during the may have access to period. For example, you might need to spend $3,000 in the first three months. Once you hit that threshold, the miles post to your account automatically, usually within one or two billing cycles.
The sign-up bonus is often the largest chunk of miles you'll earn in the first year, so it's worth factoring into whether the card makes sense for you. If you don't think you can meet the spending requirement naturally, the bonus may not be worth pursuing.
Earning and Redeeming Miles
AAdvantage cards earn miles at different rates depending on the card and the type of purchase. Most cards earn a base rate on all purchases — typically one mile per dollar spent — and a higher rate on American Airlines purchases and certain categories like dining or gas.
You can redeem miles for American Airlines flights, seat upgrades, checked baggage fees, and other travel perks through your AAdvantage account online or by calling American Airlines. The number of miles required for a flight depends on the route, the time of year, and how far in advance you book. A short domestic flight might cost 7,500 miles, while a long international flight could cost 50,000 or more.
Miles can also be transferred to other loyalty programs, used to purchase gift cards, or donated to charity, though these options typically give you less value than redeeming for flights. You can combine miles earned on the card with miles earned from flying American Airlines or from other AAdvantage partners.
Annual Fees and Other Costs
Every AAdvantage card charges an annual fee, which ranges from around $95 to $550 depending on the card. The fee is charged to your account each year on your card anniversary, and you're responsible for paying it as part of your regular bill.
Some cards waive the annual fee for the first year, while others charge it when ready. Many cards also offer a statement credit or bonus miles each year that partially or fully offset the annual fee, so the true cost to you may be lower than the stated fee.
Beyond the annual fee, you pay interest on any balance you carry from month to month, just like with any credit card. If you pay your full balance each month, you won't pay interest. There are no other hidden fees specific to AAdvantage cards — foreign transaction fees, late fees, and other charges follow standard credit card rules.
How to Open an AAdvantage Card
You can open an AAdvantage card online through Citi's or Barclays' website, or by phone. You'll need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and income information. The issuer will run a credit check to decide whether to approve you and what credit limit to offer.
Most decisions come back within minutes to a few hours. If you're approved, your card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can often request expedited delivery for a fee if you need the card sooner.
Once your card arrives, set up it through the issuer's website or app, then set up your account to link it to your AAdvantage frequent flyer profile. This connection ensures that miles you earn on the card post to your AAdvantage account automatically.
Comparing AAdvantage Cards to Other Airline Cards
AAdvantage cards are one option among many airline-branded cards. Other airlines — United, Delta, Southwest, and others — offer their own co-branded cards with similar structures: annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and earning rates tied to their loyalty programs.
The best card for you depends on which airline you fly most often, how much you travel, and what perks matter to you. If you fly American Airlines regularly, an AAdvantage card makes sense because your miles are most valuable on that airline. If you split your flying among multiple carriers, a general rewards card that lets you transfer miles to multiple airlines, or a card from your most-flown airline, might be a better fit.
Consider the annual fee relative to the perks and earning rates. A card with a $95 annual fee might make sense if you fly enough to use the benefits, but the same fee could be wasteful if you only take one or two trips a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do my AAdvantage miles expire?
No, as long as your AAdvantage account remains active. Your account stays active as long as you have account activity — which includes earning or redeeming miles, flying American Airlines, or using an AAdvantage credit card. If your account goes inactive for 24 months with no activity, American Airlines may close it and forfeit your miles.
Can I use my miles on airlines other than American Airlines?
You can redeem miles for flights on American Airlines and its partner airlines, which include carriers like British Airways, Qantas, and others. You can also transfer miles to partner loyalty programs, though the value is usually lower than booking a flight directly. Check the AAdvantage website for the full list of partners.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Closing the card does not close your AAdvantage account or forfeit your miles. Your miles stay in your AAdvantage account as long as the account remains active. However, you'll stop earning miles on the card once it's closed, and you'll lose any annual benefits tied to holding the card.
How do I know if an AAdvantage card is worth the annual fee?
Calculate whether the annual fee is offset by the perks and bonuses. If the card offers a $100 annual statement credit and you earn enough miles to cover the fee through sign-up bonuses and regular spending, the net cost is lower. Track your actual spending and redemptions over a year to decide whether to keep the card or switch.
Can I have more than one AAdvantage card at a time?
Yes, you can hold multiple AAdvantage cards from different issuers or different versions from the same issuer. However, each card charges its own annual fee, so holding multiple cards increases your total costs. Most people benefit from holding just one card unless they have high spending that justifies the extra fees.