American Airlines Best Credit Cards
overall best
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®*
3.4
Forbes Advisor has created additional star ratings so you can see the best card for your specific needs. This card is great for this use, but overall star ratings may differ compared to other cards.
Up to 2x bonus rate
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every US dollar spent; Earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
welcome bonus
50,000 miles + Admirals Club® membership
annual fee
450 $
TAEG normal
20.49 % - 29.49 % (variable)
credit-worthiness
Excellent, Good (700 - 749)
why we chose it
For AA frequent flyers who take advantage of complimentary access to the Admirals Club Lounge, that alone more than offsets the annual fee. When you consider that all authorized cardholders are eligible, this can be incredible value. Additional perks like VIP check-in, priority boarding, concierge service and free checked baggage make the offer even more special.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Complimentary checked baggage on American Airlines domestic flights for up to 8 guests on the same reservation
- Up to 10 authorized users get access to the Admirals Club® lounge when they fly American Airlines
- High annual fee with no first-year waiver
- Blackout dates apply in some cases
- Lackluster bonus rates
- Requires excellent credit
card details
- Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, get a complimentary Admirals Club® membership (worth up to $650)
- $450 annual fee
- Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every US dollar spent and 1 mile for all other purchases
- Admirals Club® Membership: Access to nearly 50 lounge locations worldwide for you and your immediate family (or up to 2 traveling guests accompanying you)
Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus Admirals Club® Membership (worth up to $650)
Credit score ranges are based on FICO® credit scores. This is an evaluation method only and a credit card issuer may use a different method when evaluating your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best American Airlines Annual Fee Card Under $100
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
No site do Citi
3.0
Forbes Advisor has created additional star ratings so you can see the best card for your specific needs. This card is great for this use, but overall star ratings may differ compared to other cards.
No site do Citi
Up to 2x bonus rate
Earn double AAdvantage® miles for every US dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants and on qualifying purchases on American Airlines; Winsee more information
welcome bonus
50,000 miles
annual fee
$99 waived for the first 12 months
TAEG normal
20.49 % - 29.49 % (variable)
credit-worthiness
Excellent, Good (700 - 749)
why we chose it
For American Airlines frequent flyers, this card offers a number of nice perks and a strong welcome bonus. The miles you can earn on American Airlines, gas, and food purchases easily justify the annual fee—unless you have a balance on this high APR card.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Complimentary checked baggage for you and up to four companions on American Airlines domestic flights
- Preferred boarding privileges
- No foreign transaction fees
- Unlimited mileage credit
- Ongoing lackluster rewards
- The free first checked bag is not valid on international flights
- It doesn't have other perks like lounge access or travel protection
card details
- Earn 50,000 bonus American Airlines AAdvantage® miles on purchases of $2,500 within the first 3 months of account opening
- Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every US dollar spent at gas stations, restaurants and eligible purchases on American Airlines
- Earn 1 loyalty point for every 1 qualifying AAdvantage® mile you earn on purchases
- Get $125 off American Airlines flights after spending $20,000 or more on purchases during your card membership year and renew your card
- No foreign transaction fees
- First checked bag is complimentary on American Airlines domestic routes for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation
- Enjoy priority boarding on American Airlines flights
Earn 50,000 bonus American Airlines AAdvantage® miles after spending $2,500 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Credit score ranges are based on FICO® credit scores. This is an evaluation method only and a credit card issuer may use a different method when evaluating your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best American Airlines Card issued by Barclays
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
2.0
Forbes Advisor has created additional star ratings so you can see the best card for your specific needs. This card is great for this use, but overall star ratings may differ compared to other cards.
Up to 2x bonus rate
Earn double AAdvantage® miles for every dollar spent on qualifying American Airlines purchases; Earn 1X miles each timesee more information
welcome bonus
50,000 miles
annual fee
99 $
TAEG normal
20.49%, 24.49% or 29.49% variable
credit-worthiness
Excellent/Good (700 - 749)
why we chose it
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® card is a great option for anyone who can take AA flights to justify the annual fee. Factoring in the welcome bonus and companion induction certificate, the first-year rewards are pretty impressive, but beyond 2x miles on AA purchases, the 1x base reward rate is underwhelming.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Easy to earn generous welcome bonus
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual Companion Certificate earned after spending $20,000 in one year of card renewal
- Extensive AA flight benefits
- No bonus spend categories other than AA purchases
- Depending on your creditworthiness, the effective annual interest rate can be very high
card details
- Earn 50,000 bonus AAdvantage® miles after you make your first purchase and pay the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
- Anniversary Companion Certificate Each Anniversary Year, after spending $20,000 on purchases, you will receive a Companion Certificate valid for 1 guest for $99 (plus taxes and fees) and your account will remain open for 45 days after the anniversary
- Receive up to $25 back in statement credit for inflight Wi-Fi purchases on American Airlines-operated flights every anniversary
- Inflight Savings Earn 25% Inflight Savings in Food & Beverage Settlement Credit when you use your card on American Airlines operated flights.
- Earn double miles for every dollar spent on qualifying American Airlines purchases
- Earn 1X AAdvantage® miles for every dollar spent on all other purchases
Earn 50,000 bonus AAdvantage® miles after you make your first purchase and pay the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
Credit score ranges are based on FICO® credit scores. This is an evaluation method only and a credit card issuer may use a different method when evaluating your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best American Airlines card with no annual fee
American Airlines AAdvantage® Mile Up®*
1.9
Forbes Advisor has created additional star ratings so you can see the best card for your specific needs. This card is great for this use, but overall star ratings may differ compared to other cards.
Up to 2x bonus rate
Earn double AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery; Earn double AAdvantage® milessee more information
welcome bonus
10,000 bonus AAdvantage® miles and a $50 statement credit
annual fee
$ 0
TAEG normal
20.49 % - 29.49 % variable
credit-worthiness
Excellent, Good (700 - 749)
why we chose it
This card makes sense for a select group of people: occasional AA fliers who want a fee-free card with moderate rewards and don't need to carry a balance. To maximize award earnings, spend on AA groceries and groceries to earn double miles. The 3% outbound transaction fee and lack of perks will put frequent international travelers off.
Advantages and disadvantages
- no annual fee
- Earn unlimited miles
- 25% discount on inflight purchases
- Earn 2 miles per dollar on groceries and AA purchases
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Lackluster travel benefits
- Blackout dates apply to some redemptions
card details
- Earn 10,000 bonus American Airlines AAdvantage® miles and a $50 statement credit after spending $500 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- 2 x $1 AAdvantage miles on grocery shopping, including grocery delivery, 2 x $1 AAdvantage miles on eligible purchases on American Airlines, and 1 x $1 AAdvantage miles on all other purchases
- $0 annual fee
- 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights when the card is used
Earn 10,000 bonus American Airlines AAdvantage® miles and receive a $50 credit after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Credit score ranges are based on FICO® credit scores. This is an evaluation method only and a credit card issuer may use a different method when evaluating your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
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