What the American Airlines credit card does

The American Airlines credit card is a co-branded card issued by Citi in partnership with American Airlines. It earns miles on purchases and offers perks tied to American Airlines frequent flyer membership. 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 benefits.

The card's main purpose is to let you accumulate miles faster than flying alone, then use those miles for flights, seat upgrades, or other rewards through the AAdvantage program. You earn miles on every purchase, with bonus miles for airline and dining purchases. The premium versions add benefits like annual mile bonuses, priority boarding, and baggage fee waivers.

Unlike some airline cards that lock you into one carrier, you can use American Airlines miles on partner airlines and for non-flight rewards, though the value is usually highest when redeemed for flights. The card also reports to the three major credit bureaus, so responsible use builds your credit history.

Key Takeaways

  • The American Airlines card earns miles on all purchases, with higher earning rates on airline and dining transactions.
  • Premium versions charge an annual fee but include benefits like annual mile bonuses and checked baggage waivers that may offset the cost.
  • Miles can be redeemed for American Airlines flights, partner airline flights, seat upgrades, or other rewards through the AAdvantage program.
  • The card requires a credit check and approval based on your credit history, income, and existing debt.
  • You must set up the card and set up online account access before your first purchase to track miles and manage benefits.

Earning rates and bonus miles

The basic American Airlines card typically earns 1 mile per dollar spent on most purchases and 2 miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases and dining at restaurants. Premium versions often earn higher rates — sometimes 2 miles per dollar on airline purchases and 3 miles per dollar on dining — though the exact rates vary by card version and change periodically.

New cardholders usually receive a welcome bonus of miles after meeting a minimum spending threshold within the first few months. This bonus is often the fastest way to accumulate enough miles for a domestic flight. The spending requirement is typically $500 to $1,000 depending on the card version, and you have three to six months to reach it.

Premium cards often include an annual bonus of miles just for keeping the card open, separate from spending. Some versions also offer bonus miles on your card anniversary or when you reach certain spending milestones during the year.

Annual fees and when they explore

The basic American Airlines card has no annual fee. Premium versions charge between $95 and $550 per year, depending on the tier. The fee posts to your account on your card anniversary — the date you were approved — every year you keep the card open.

Premium cards often include a statement credit or annual mile bonus that partially or fully offsets the fee if you use the card regularly. For example, a card with a $95 annual fee might include a $100 annual mile bonus, making the net cost negative if you keep the card. Read the specific terms for your card version to understand what benefits come with the fee.

You can close the card at any time to stop future annual fees. If you close it before your anniversary date, you typically will not be charged. If you close it after the fee posts, most issuers will not refund it, though calling customer service to request a courtesy refund sometimes works.

how the process works and what you need

You can explore for the American Airlines card online through Citi's website, through American Airlines' website, or at a bank branch if Citi has a retail presence in your area. The online process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information.

Citi will pull your credit report during the process, which is a hard inquiry and may temporarily lower your credit score by a few points. You need a credit score of roughly 670 or higher to have a reasonable chance of approval, though the exact requirement is not public. If you have recent late payments, high existing debt, or a very short credit history, approval is less likely.

You will receive a decision when ready or within a few business days. If approved, the card ships within 7 to 10 business days. If denied, Citi will mail you a letter explaining the reason, and you can call to ask whether reapplying later makes sense.

Activating your card and setting up your account

When your card arrives, you must set up it before using it. You can set up online through your Citi account, by calling the number on the back of the card, or through the Citi mobile app. set up is when ready and takes less than a minute.

After set up, log into your Citi account online or through the app to link your card to your AAdvantage frequent flyer account. This connection is what allows miles to post to your AAdvantage account when you make purchases. Without linking, you will earn miles but they may not appear in your frequent flyer account for several weeks.

Set up online bill pay or autopay for at least the minimum payment to avoid missed payments, which damage your credit and trigger late fees. You can pay the full balance, a fixed amount, or the minimum — the choice is yours, but carrying a balance means paying interest on the unpaid amount.

Using your card and tracking miles

Every purchase posts to your account within one to three business days. Miles usually appear in your AAdvantage account within one to two billing cycles, though they sometimes take longer during high-volume periods. You can check your current mile balance anytime through the AAdvantage website or app.

Premium card benefits like priority boarding or baggage waivers are usually automatic once your card is activated — you do not need to do anything to use them. Some benefits require you to add a companion or link your boarding pass, so read your card's benefits guide to understand what each perk requires.

If you do not use the card for several months, your account may go inactive, though this does not affect your miles balance. If you close the card, your miles remain in your AAdvantage account as long as you have some account activity (a flight, a purchase with a partner, or a mile transfer) at least once every 24 months.

Redeeming miles and understanding value

Miles can be redeemed for American Airlines flights, flights on partner airlines like British Airways or Cathay Pacific, seat upgrades, or other rewards like hotel stays or car rentals through the AAdvantage program. The cost in miles varies by route, demand, and how far in advance you book.

A domestic flight typically costs between 7,500 and 50,000 miles depending on the route and how busy the flight is. Premium cabin seats (business or first class) cost significantly more. Off-peak flights cost fewer miles, while peak travel times cost more. You can search for award availability on the American Airlines website to see the mile cost before you commit.

The value of a mile varies widely. On a cheap domestic flight, a mile might be worth less than one cent. On a premium cabin international flight, a mile might be worth three cents or more. This is why using miles strategically — on expensive flights or premium cabins — usually gives you more value than redeeming them on cheap flights.

Managing your account and avoiding problems

Pay your bill on time every month to avoid late fees and credit damage. Late payments stay on your credit report for seven years and make it harder to get approved for other credit products. Set up autopay for the full balance if you can, or at minimum the amount due, to avoid missing a payment.

Keep your contact information current in your Citi account so you receive billing statements and fraud alerts. If you notice a purchase you did not make, report it to Citi when ready — you are not responsible for unauthorized charges once you report them, but you must do so promptly.

Review your statement each month to make sure all purchases are correct and that miles are posting as expected. If miles are missing or posting slowly, contact Citi or American Airlines to investigate. Miles sometimes take longer to post from certain merchants or during promotional periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need to get approved?

Citi does not publish a minimum credit score, but most people with a score of 670 or higher have a reasonable chance of approval. If your score is lower or you have recent late payments, approval is less likely. You can explore and see what happens — a single process does not hurt your credit much.

Can I use the miles on flights other than American Airlines?

Yes. Miles can be redeemed on American Airlines partner airlines including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and others through the AAdvantage program. Partner flights sometimes cost fewer miles than American Airlines flights on the same route, so it is worth checking both options before you book.

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Your miles stay in your AAdvantage account even after you close the card. They do not expire as long as your account has some activity — a flight, a purchase with a partner, or a mile transfer — at least once every 24 months. Closing the card does not affect your miles at all.

How long does it take to earn enough miles for a free flight?

It depends on your spending and the welcome bonus. A welcome bonus of 50,000 miles is often enough for a domestic flight by itself. If you spend $2,000 per month on the card and earn 1 to 2 miles per dollar, you earn 2,000 to 4,000 miles per month, which means a domestic flight takes three to six months of spending after the welcome bonus.

Do I have to use the card for American Airlines flights only?

No. You can use the card for any purchase — groceries, gas, utilities, restaurants — and earn miles on all of it. The card earns bonus miles on dining and airline purchases, but regular purchases still earn miles at a lower rate. Many people use it as their everyday card to maximize mile accumulation.