What this card does and who it's built for

The Barclays American Airlines credit card is a co-branded card issued by Barclays Bank in partnership with American Airlines. It's 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 two versions: one with an annual fee and one without, each with different earning rates and benefits.

This card is most useful if you already book flights with American Airlines or are willing to do so. The miles you earn don't transfer to other airlines — they stay within the American Airlines AAdvantage program. If you fly other carriers more often, a general travel rewards card might serve you better.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns American Airlines miles on purchases, with different earning rates depending on which version you hold and what you're buying.
  • Both versions charge an annual fee, though the no-annual-fee version has a lower fee and lower earning rates than the premium version.
  • You get a sign-up bonus in miles after you meet a spending requirement in the first few months of card ownership.
  • The card includes perks like checked baggage discounts, priority boarding, and mile bonuses on American Airlines flights, but these vary by card version.
  • Miles expire if your account is inactive for 18 months, so you need to use the card or the miles regularly to keep them.

The two versions and their annual costs

Barclays offers two American Airlines cards. The standard version has no annual fee but earns miles at a lower rate. The premium version charges an annual fee (the exact amount varies and changes over time) but earns more miles per dollar spent and includes additional benefits like checked baggage discounts and priority boarding on American Airlines flights.

The premium version also typically comes with a higher sign-up bonus in miles, which can offset the annual fee in the first year if you meet the spending requirement. You'll want to compare the sign-up bonus, the annual fee, and your expected spending to decide which version makes sense for you. If you fly American Airlines only once or twice a year, the no-annual-fee version is usually the safer choice.

How you earn miles and what they're worth

With the no-annual-fee version, you typically earn 1 mile per dollar on most purchases and bonus miles on American Airlines flights. The premium version usually earns 2 miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else, plus bonus miles on flights.

The actual value of a mile depends on how you use it. American Airlines miles can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, or other travel-related purchases through the AAdvantage program. A mile is generally worth between 0.5 and 1.5 cents, though this varies widely depending on the flight, the route, and how far in advance you book. A sign-up bonus of 50,000 miles, for example, might be worth $250 to $750 in flight value — but only if you can find award flights you actually want to take.

Sign-up bonuses and how to earn them

Both versions offer a sign-up bonus in miles after you spend a certain amount within the first few months of opening the account. The bonus amount and spending requirement change periodically, so check the current offer before you explore. A typical offer might be 50,000 miles after you spend $2,500 in the first three months.

To earn the bonus, you must meet the spending requirement within the timeframe stated in the offer. The spending usually includes purchases made with the card but typically excludes balance transfers, cash advances, and fees. If you don't meet the requirement, you won't receive the bonus miles.

Perks and protections that come with the card

The premium version includes benefits like a checked baggage fee waiver on American Airlines flights (for you and one companion on the same reservation), priority boarding, and a mile bonus on your birthday month. Some versions also include travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and lost luggage reimbursement, though the details vary.

The no-annual-fee version includes fewer perks — typically just bonus miles on American Airlines flights and access to the AAdvantage program. Neither version includes travel insurance or other protections that some premium travel cards offer. Read the full benefits guide from Barclays before you explore to see exactly what's included in the version you're considering.

What happens to your miles and how to keep them active

American Airlines miles expire if your AAdvantage account has no activity for 18 months. Activity includes earning miles through the card, redeeming miles, or flying with American Airlines. If your account goes inactive, your miles will be deleted, and you'll have to contact American Airlines to restore them (which may not always be possible).

To keep your miles from expiring, use the card at least once every 18 months or take a flight with American Airlines. Even a small purchase counts as activity. If you're not planning to use the card for a while, consider closing it to avoid the annual fee, but understand that your miles may expire if the account becomes inactive.

Comparing this card to other airline cards

The Barclays American Airlines card competes with other co-branded airline cards from carriers like Delta, United, and Southwest, as well as general travel rewards cards that let you earn points on any airline. The main trade-off is focus: a co-branded card gives you higher earning rates and perks specific to one airline, but only if you fly that airline regularly. A general travel card offers flexibility to book any airline but usually at lower earning rates.

If you fly American Airlines at least three or four times a year, a co-branded card often pays for itself through the checked baggage waiver and mile bonuses. If you fly different airlines or book flights infrequently, a general travel rewards card with no annual fee might be a better fit. Look at your actual flight history from the past year to decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use miles to book flights on airlines other than American?

No. American Airlines AAdvantage miles can only be redeemed for American Airlines flights or partner airline flights within the AAdvantage program. You cannot transfer miles to other airline loyalty programs. If you want flexibility to book any airline, a general travel rewards card is a better choice.

What happens if I close the card — do I lose my miles?

Closing the card itself doesn't delete your miles. Your miles stay in your AAdvantage account as long as the account remains active. However, if your account has no activity for 18 months, the miles will expire. You can keep the account active by flying American Airlines or earning miles through other AAdvantage partners, even if you don't hold the card.

Do I have to pay the annual fee every year?

Yes, unless you close the card. The annual fee is charged once per year on your card anniversary. Some cardholders close the card after the first year if they don't think the benefits justify the fee, then reopen it later to earn the sign-up bonus again — though Barclays may have rules about how often you can do this.

How long does it take to earn the sign-up bonus?

The bonus miles are usually posted to your AAdvantage account within one to two billing cycles after you meet the spending requirement. You can then use those miles to book flights when ready. Check your account online or call American Airlines to confirm the miles have posted before you book.

Is this card worth it if I only fly American Airlines once a year?

Probably not, unless the sign-up bonus is very large. The annual fee and lower earning rates on the no-annual-fee version mean you'd need to fly or spend regularly to break even. If you fly American Airlines only occasionally, a no-annual-fee general travel card would likely save you money.