What the American Airlines credit card is and who issues it

The American Airlines credit card is a co-branded card issued by Citi in partnership with American Airlines. It is designed for people who fly American Airlines regularly or want to earn rewards on everyday purchases that convert to airline miles. The card comes in several versions — the basic card, a premium card with an annual fee, and a business version — each with different earning rates and perks.

When you use the card, you earn American Airlines miles on purchases. Those miles can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, checked baggage fees, or other travel-related expenses within the American Airlines program. The card also typically comes with a sign-up bonus: a large number of miles awarded after you spend a certain amount in the first few months of holding the card.

Citi handles the account management, billing, and customer service. American Airlines manages the miles themselves and the redemption options. You will deal with Citi for card issues and with American Airlines for questions about your miles balance or how to book a flight.

Key Takeaways

  • The American Airlines card earns miles on purchases, with higher earning rates on American Airlines tickets and certain categories like dining and gas.
  • A sign-up bonus gives you a large number of miles upfront if you spend a set amount within the first few months — this is often the best value in the card.
  • The basic card has no annual fee, while premium versions charge $99 or more per year and include perks like free checked bags and seat upgrades.
  • Miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and fees, but their value depends on when and how you book — peak travel dates often cost more miles.
  • You can transfer miles to travel partners or use them for non-flight purchases, though flight redemptions typically offer better value.

How earning miles works on the American Airlines card

The earning structure varies by card version, but the basic pattern is the same: you earn a certain number of miles per dollar spent in different categories. On the standard American Airlines card, you typically earn miles at a higher rate on American Airlines purchases and in bonus categories like dining, gas, and groceries. On other purchases, you earn at a lower rate — often 1 mile per dollar.

The sign-up bonus is separate from everyday earning. When you first open the card and meet the spending requirement — usually $500 to $1,000 in purchases within the first three months — Citi deposits a large number of bonus miles into your American Airlines account. This bonus is often worth more than a year of everyday spending, which is why many people open these cards specifically to capture it.

Miles post to your American Airlines account within a few days of the purchase posting to your credit card. You can check your balance anytime by logging into your American Airlines account online or through their app. The miles do not expire as long as you have account activity — a flight, a credit card purchase, or even a phone call to customer service — at least once every 18 months.

Annual fees and what they include

The basic American Airlines card has no annual fee. You can hold it indefinitely without paying anything beyond your regular credit card interest if you carry a balance.

The premium versions — typically called the "AAdvantage Platinum" or similar — charge an annual fee, usually $99 or $150. This fee is charged to your card once per year on your anniversary date. In exchange, you receive perks that may offset the cost: a free checked bag on American Airlines flights, priority boarding, a statement credit toward baggage fees or seat upgrades, and sometimes a bonus miles award on your anniversary.

Whether the premium card makes sense depends on how often you fly American Airlines and whether you use the included perks. If you fly American Airlines at least twice a year and check a bag, the free checked bag alone ($35 to $40 per flight) can cover part of the annual fee. If you rarely fly or fly other airlines, the basic no-fee card is usually the better choice.

How to redeem miles for flights and other rewards

To book a flight with miles, log into your American Airlines account and search for flights as you normally would. During the search, select the option to pay with miles instead of cash. The system will show you how many miles each flight costs. Award availability varies by route, date, and how far in advance you book — popular routes and peak travel dates typically cost more miles.

You can also use miles to pay for seat upgrades, checked baggage fees, or other ancillary charges. Some people find this a lower-value use of miles compared to booking full flights, but it can be useful if you have leftover miles that would not cover a full award ticket.

American Airlines allows you to transfer miles to travel partners — other airlines and hotel chains in their alliance network. The transfer rate is usually 1 to 1, though some partners offer bonus miles for larger transfers. Transfers take several days to process and cannot be reversed, so confirm the partner's redemption rates before you transfer.

Interest rates, fees, and how to avoid them

The American Airlines card carries a variable interest rate, which means the rate changes based on market conditions. The actual rate you receive depends on your credit score and credit history. Citi will disclose the rate range in the terms and conditions before you open the card.

If you carry a balance from month to month, you will pay interest on that balance at the card's APR. The easiest way to avoid interest is to pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. If you can only pay part of the balance, pay as much as you can — even paying above the minimum reduces the interest you owe on the remaining balance.

Late payment fees explore if you miss your due date. A missed payment also damages your credit score and may trigger a higher interest rate. If you are struggling to pay, contact Citi before the due date to discuss options — they may be able to work with you on a payment plan.

Foreign transaction fees explore if you use the card outside the United States. These fees are typically 3% of the purchase amount. If you travel internationally, this is a cost to factor in, though some premium travel cards waive this fee.

Comparing the American Airlines card to other airline cards

Other airlines issue co-branded cards through different banks — United through Chase, Delta through American Express, Southwest through Chase. Each card has its own earning structure, annual fee, and perks. The best card for you depends on which airline you fly most often and which perks matter to you.

If you fly American Airlines exclusively or most of the time, the American Airlines card makes sense because your miles are concentrated in one program and you can use the airline-specific perks. If you split your flying between two or three airlines, you might earn miles faster with a general travel rewards card that earns points redeemable across multiple airlines, though you lose the airline-specific perks like free checked bags.

Some people hold multiple airline cards to capture sign-up bonuses from each one. This strategy works if you can meet the spending requirements and manage multiple accounts, but it requires discipline to avoid overspending just to hit the bonus threshold.

How to open an American Airlines credit card

You can open the card online through Citi's website or through American Airlines' website — both links lead to the same process. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, income information, and current address. The process takes about 10 minutes.

Citi will run a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. You will receive a decision within minutes to a few days. If you are approved, your card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Once your card arrives, set up it through Citi's website or app, then set up your account to link to your American Airlines frequent flyer account. This connection allows miles to post automatically when you use the card. You can also add authorized users to your card account — they earn miles on their purchases too, though the account remains your responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Your miles stay in your American Airlines account and do not disappear when you close the card. However, if you close the card and have no other account activity with American Airlines for 18 months, your miles will expire. To keep them active, you need to fly, call customer service, or use another American Airlines co-branded card.

Can I use miles to book flights for other people?

Yes. You can book award flights for family members or friends using your miles. The passenger name must be entered correctly during booking, and the ticket is non-transferable — the person named on the ticket must be the one who flies. You cannot book a ticket and then give it to someone else to use.

Do I earn miles on my credit card payment?

No. Payments to your credit card bill do not earn miles. Only purchases of goods and services earn miles. Balance transfers and cash advances also do not earn miles and typically carry higher interest rates.

What is the difference between award flights and paid flights?

Award flights are booked with miles and cost no cash, though you still pay taxes and fees (usually $5 to $15 per flight). Paid flights are booked with your credit card or cash. Some award flights are cheaper in miles on certain routes or dates, while others cost significantly more. You can compare both options during booking to see which offers better value.

Can I use my miles if I am not a frequent flyer member?

You must have an American Airlines frequent flyer account to hold miles. When you open the credit card, you can create a new frequent flyer account or link an existing one. If you do not link an account, your miles will not post, so this step is essential.