What the American Airlines Barclays Card Offers
The American Airlines Barclays credit card is a co-branded card issued by Barclays Bank that earns miles in American Airlines' AAdvantage loyalty program. You earn miles on every purchase, receive a sign-up bonus of miles after you meet a spending threshold, and get benefits tied to your card tier — such as checked bag fee waivers, priority boarding, and seat upgrades. The card comes in two versions: the standard card and the premium card, which charges an annual fee but includes more valuable perks.
The card works like any other credit card for everyday purchases, but the rewards go toward AAdvantage miles instead of cash back. Those miles can be redeemed for flights on American Airlines and its partners, seat upgrades, or other travel benefits within the AAdvantage program. You do not have to be an AAdvantage member to open the card, but you will be enrolled automatically when you do.
Key Takeaways
- The American Airlines Barclays card earns AAdvantage miles on purchases and offers a sign-up bonus after you spend a set amount within the first few months.
- The standard card has no annual fee, while the premium card charges an annual fee but includes a free checked bag, priority boarding, and other perks for frequent American Airlines travelers.
- You earn miles at different rates depending on the category: more miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases and less on other purchases.
- The card's benefits — such as checked bag waivers and seat upgrades — are tied to your card tier and reset each calendar year.
- Miles do not expire as long as your account remains active, but your account closes if the card is inactive for a set period.
How to Open an American Airlines Barclays Card Account
To open an account, visit Barclays' website or American Airlines' website and select the card version you want. You will be asked for personal information: your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and employment details. Barclays will check your credit report to decide whether to approve you. The entire process takes place online and typically takes a few minutes.
After you are approved, Barclays will mail your physical card to the address you provided. The card usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you can set up it through Barclays' website or mobile app, or by calling the number on the back of the card. You can also add the card to your digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay) and use it when ready for contactless payments before the physical card arrives.
When you open the account, you will be asked whether you want to link it to an existing AAdvantage account or create a new one. If you already have an AAdvantage number from flying American Airlines or holding a previous card, provide that number so miles post to the same account. If you are new to the program, Barclays will create an AAdvantage account for you automatically.
Understanding the Sign-Up Bonus and Earning Rates
The sign-up bonus is a large number of miles offered for opening the card and spending a certain amount within a set timeframe — typically three months. The exact bonus amount and spending requirement vary depending on which card version you choose and current promotions. You do not have to do anything special to earn the bonus; it posts automatically once you meet the spending threshold.
After the sign-up period, you earn miles on every purchase at different rates. On American Airlines purchases — flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees — you earn more miles per dollar spent. On other purchases, you earn fewer miles per dollar. Some cards also offer bonus miles in specific categories, such as dining or gas stations, for a limited time after opening. Check your card's terms or Barclays' website to see the current earning rates.
Miles earned on the card post to your AAdvantage account within one to three business days of the transaction. You can track your balance and redemption options by logging into your AAdvantage account online or through the American Airlines mobile app.
Annual Fees and Card Tiers
The standard American Airlines Barclays card has no annual fee. You can hold it indefinitely without paying anything, though Barclays may close the account if it remains inactive for an extended period (typically 12 months or more with no charges).
The premium card charges an annual fee, usually charged on your statement each year on the anniversary of your account opening. In exchange, you receive benefits that can offset the cost for frequent American Airlines travelers: a free checked bag on American Airlines flights, priority boarding, seat upgrade certificates, and other perks. These benefits reset each calendar year, so you receive them again on January 1 even if you received them earlier in December.
If you decide the premium card is not worth the annual fee, you can downgrade to the standard card without closing your account or losing your miles. Contact Barclays to request a downgrade, and your annual fee will be waived going forward.
How to Pay Your Balance and Manage Your Account
You can pay your bill through Barclays' website, mobile app, by phone, or by mail. Set up automatic payments so your balance is paid in full each month, or make manual payments whenever you choose. Barclays will send you a statement each month showing your purchases, balance due, and payment due date.
If you carry a balance, Barclays will charge interest at the card's annual percentage rate (APR), which varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. You can see your APR on your statement or by logging into your account online. Paying your full balance by the due date avoids interest charges.
You can view your account details, update your address, set spending alerts, and freeze or unfreeze your card through Barclays' mobile app or website. If your card is lost or stolen, call the number on the back of your card or contact Barclays directly to report it and request a replacement.
Redeeming Miles and Using Card Benefits
Miles can be redeemed through your AAdvantage account for flights on American Airlines and its partner airlines, seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other travel-related purchases. You can also transfer miles to partner hotel and car rental programs, though the exchange rate is typically less favorable than redeeming for flights. Log into your AAdvantage account to see available redemption options and current award availability.
Card benefits — such as checked bag waivers and priority boarding — are automatic. You do not need to do anything to set up them. When you check a bag on an American Airlines flight, the fee is waived automatically if you are the cardholder. Priority boarding is applied to your boarding pass when you check in. Seat upgrade certificates, if included with your card tier, can be used to upgrade to premium cabin seats when you book or check in for a flight.
Some benefits are limited. For example, checked bag waivers typically cover only the first checked bag and explore only when you are the cardholder on the ticket. Seat upgrades may not be available on all flights or routes. Check your card's terms or the American Airlines website for the full list of what is and is not covered.
What Happens If You Close Your Account or Stop Using the Card
If you close your American Airlines Barclays card account, your miles remain in your AAdvantage account and do not disappear. However, your AAdvantage account itself will close if it has no activity for a set period — typically 18 to 24 months. Activity includes earning miles, redeeming miles, or flying on American Airlines. Once your AAdvantage account closes, your miles are forfeited and cannot be recovered.
To keep your miles, keep your AAdvantage account active even if you close the card. You can do this by flying American Airlines occasionally, holding another American Airlines co-branded card, or earning miles through American Airlines' partners (such as hotels or car rentals). You do not need to hold the Barclays card to maintain your account.
If you want to close the card but keep your miles, contact Barclays to request account closure. Your annual fee, if applicable, will not be charged after the account closes. Make sure your AAdvantage account remains active through other means.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn miles on purchases made outside the United States?
Yes, you earn miles on all purchases made with the card, regardless of where you are or where the merchant is located. However, Barclays may charge a foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the United States, which is a percentage of the purchase amount. Check your card's terms to see the foreign transaction fee rate.
What is the difference between the standard and premium American Airlines Barclays card?
The standard card has no annual fee and earns miles on purchases. The premium card charges an annual fee but includes a free checked bag, priority boarding, seat upgrade certificates, and other perks. Choose the standard card if you fly American Airlines occasionally, and the premium card if you fly frequently and value the perks enough to justify the annual fee.
Do my miles expire?
Miles do not expire as long as your AAdvantage account remains active. Activity includes earning miles, redeeming miles, or flying on American Airlines. If your account has no activity for 18 to 24 months, it closes and your miles are forfeited. Keep your account active by flying occasionally or earning miles through partner merchants.
Can I transfer my miles to someone else?
You cannot transfer miles to another person's AAdvantage account. However, you can use your miles to purchase a ticket for someone else, or you can add someone as an authorized user on your card and they can earn miles on their purchases. Miles earned by an authorized user post to your primary AAdvantage account.
What should I do if I notice a fraudulent charge on my statement?
Contact Barclays when ready by calling the number on the back of your card or logging into your account online to report the charge. Barclays will investigate and may issue a temporary credit while the dispute is being reviewed. You are not responsible for fraudulent charges, but you must report them within a set timeframe — typically 60 days from when the charge appeared on your statement.