What the American Airlines card does
The American Airlines credit card is issued by Citi and earns miles on every purchase you make. You get a sign-up bonus of miles after you spend a certain amount in the first few months, and you earn additional miles on American Airlines flights and everyday purchases. The card also comes with benefits like checked baggage waivers, priority boarding, and seat upgrades on American flights.
The card is not free to hold. Citi charges an annual fee, which varies depending on which version of the card you choose. There are typically two main versions: the standard card and a premium version with higher benefits and a higher annual fee.
Miles you earn can be used to book American Airlines flights, upgrade existing tickets, or transfer to American's partner airlines. You can also use miles for hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel purchases through American's rewards program.
Key Takeaways
- The American Airlines card earns miles on purchases and comes with a sign-up bonus after you meet a spending threshold in the first few months.
- You pay an annual fee to hold the card, and the amount depends on which version you choose.
- Benefits include a checked baggage waiver, priority boarding, and seat upgrade certificates on American Airlines flights.
- Miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel through American's rewards program.
- The card requires a credit check and approval from Citi before you can open an account.
How to earn miles with the card
You earn miles in two main ways: through a sign-up bonus and through everyday spending. The sign-up bonus is a large number of miles you receive after you spend a set amount within the first three to six months of opening the account. This amount changes periodically, so check the current offer before you open the card.
After the sign-up period, you earn miles on every dollar you spend. The earning rate varies by category. You typically earn more miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases and less on other categories like groceries or gas. Some versions of the card offer bonus miles in specific categories for a limited time after you open the account.
You also earn miles automatically when you fly American Airlines, regardless of whether you use the credit card for the ticket. If you use the card to buy the ticket, you earn miles from both the card and your flight.
Annual fees and ongoing costs
Citi charges an annual fee to hold the American Airlines card. The standard version typically costs less per year than the premium version. The premium card comes with higher benefits, such as more upgrade certificates and additional perks, but the annual fee is significantly higher.
Some cardholders receive a statement credit or bonus miles each year that offset part or all of the annual fee, depending on how much they spend or which card version they hold. You should review your cardholder agreement to understand exactly what credits or bonuses explore to your account.
Beyond the annual fee, there are no other required costs to hold the card. However, if you carry a balance month to month, you will pay interest at the rate Citi sets for your account. Paying your full statement balance each month avoids interest charges.
Benefits that come with the card
The card includes a checked baggage waiver, which means you and an when ready family member traveling on the same ticket do not pay the checked bag fee on American Airlines flights. This benefit applies to your first checked bag on each flight.
You also receive priority boarding on American Airlines flights, which means you board before most other passengers. The premium version of the card may include higher boarding priority or additional boarding passes for family members.
Seat upgrade certificates come with the card and allow you to upgrade to a higher cabin on American flights. The number of certificates you receive per year depends on which card version you hold. Premium cardholders typically receive more upgrade certificates and higher-value upgrades.
Additional benefits may include travel insurance, emergency information services, and discounts on American Airlines purchases like seat selections or in-flight purchases. Review your cardholder agreement for the complete list of benefits available on your specific card.
How to open an American Airlines credit card account
To open an account, you will need to provide personal information including your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. Citi will run a credit check to determine whether to approve your process. The credit check is a hard inquiry, which means it appears on your credit report and may temporarily lower your credit score by a few points.
You can start the process online through Citi's website or through American Airlines' website. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. After you submit, you will receive a decision within minutes in most cases, though some applications may take a few days.
If Citi approves your process, your card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up the card online or by phone once it arrives. After set up, you can begin earning miles when ready on purchases.
What happens if your process is denied
If Citi denies your process, you will receive a letter in the mail explaining the reason. Common reasons include a low credit score, recent negative marks on your credit report, or too many recent credit inquiries. You can request a copy of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to review what information Citi saw.
You can reapply after you address the issue that led to the denial. If your credit score was the problem, waiting several months while you pay down existing balances and make on-time payments can improve your score. If there was an error on your credit report, you can dispute it with the credit bureau and reapply once it is corrected.
Some people are denied because they have too many recent credit applications. In that case, waiting at least three to six months before reapplying may improve your chances.
Redeeming miles for flights and other rewards
Miles can be redeemed through American Airlines' AAdvantage program. You log into your account on American's website or app and search for available flights. Award flights are priced in miles rather than dollars, and the price varies depending on the route, time of year, and how far in advance you book.
You can also use miles to upgrade an existing ticket to a higher cabin, book hotel stays through American's travel partners, rent a car, or purchase gift cards. The value you get per mile varies by redemption type, so it is worth comparing options before you redeem.
Miles do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 18 months. Account activity includes earning miles, redeeming miles, or flying American Airlines. If your account becomes inactive for more than 18 months, your miles may be forfeited.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do I need to open an American Airlines card?
Citi does not publish a minimum credit score requirement, but most cardholders have a score of 670 or higher. If your score is lower, you may still be approved, but approval is less likely. Checking your own credit score before you explore can give you a sense of your chances.
Can I transfer miles to another airline?
Yes. American Airlines is part of a network of partner airlines, and you can transfer your miles to partner programs at a 1:1 ratio in most cases. Partner airlines include British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and others. Transfers are permanent, so review the partner program's redemption options before you transfer.
Do I have to use the card to earn miles on American flights?
No. You earn miles on every American Airlines flight you take as long as your ticket is linked to your AAdvantage account. Using the card to purchase the ticket earns you additional miles, but the flight miles are separate and automatic.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your AAdvantage account and do not disappear when you close the card. However, if your account becomes inactive for 18 months, your miles may expire. Keeping the account active by earning or redeeming miles periodically preserves them.
Is there a way to avoid paying the annual fee?
The annual fee is required to hold the card. Some cardholders receive statement credits or bonus miles that offset the fee, depending on their card version and spending. You can also close the card after the first year if you decide the benefits do not justify the cost.