If you fly American Airlines and are looking for a credit card that aligns to the airline, you are in luck: there are a number of options.
In fact, there may be more options for American Airlines credit cards than any other airline.
Like other large airlines, American Airlines flies all across the United States and abroad. This is the same reason I found the United MileagePlus program so attractive. Whether or not the airline is one of the “best” airlines, I’m happy as long as I have the flexibility of a wide range of destinations.
Here’s some options for American Airlines credit cards.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® is a great consumer credit card if you fly American Airlines. Not only does it have a solid sign-up bonus right now, it also comes with the additional perks of first bag checked free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation, it also comes with preferred boarding.
Bonus: Earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Annual Fee: $99 (waived for the first 12 months)
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®
If you own a small business, you can take advantage of the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®. Similar to the consumer card, this card offers first bag checked free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation. It also offers a great sign-up bonus.
Bonus: Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
Annual Fee: $99 (waived for the first 12 months)
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
A really intriguing credit card that is aligned to American Airlines is the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®.
What’s interesting about this card is you get the bonus of 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making just one purchase on the card. Even with the annual fee not being waived the first year, this is a very uncommon offer that I have not seen before.
Just like the consumer and small business credit cards, this card offers first bag checked free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation.
Bonus: Earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making one purchase on the card.
Annual Fee: $95
Alternative Travel Rewards credit cards
Undecided on whether to get a credit card for an airline? A good alternative can be a general travel rewards credit card. These cards have bonuses that can be used for general travel expenses.
One good option (and one of my personal favorites is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. With this card you can earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That translates to $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.