Introduction:
If you’re a frequent American Airlines flyer, then you know that one of the best ways to save money on flights is to use an American Airlines credit card. There are a number of different American Airlines credit cards available, each with its own set of rewards and benefits. In this blog post, we’ll compare the top 3 American Airlines credit cards to help you decide which one is the best fit for your Flying Journey.
The three best American Airlines credit cards for 2023 are:
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Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
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AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
- Annual fee: $95
- Welcome bonus: 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- APR: 16.49% – 24.49% (variable)
- Rewards:
- Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
- Earn 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Earn a 25% anniversary bonus on redeemed miles.
- Other benefits:
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Companion certificate after you spend $20,000 on purchases in a calendar year.
- Early boarding.
- Baggage fee waiver for the primary cardholder and one companion.
- Annual fee: $95
- The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is a great option for students who want to earn miles with American Airlines and who don’t mind paying an annual fee. The card offers a great welcome bonus, and it earns you 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. The card also has a few other benefits that can make it a good value for students, such as no foreign transaction fees and a companion certificate after you spend $20,000 on purchases in a calendar year.However, it’s important to note that the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® does have a few drawbacks. The annual fee is $95, which can be expensive for students. The card also has a relatively high APR, so it’s important to pay your bill on time in full to avoid interest charges. Additionally, the card requires good to excellent credit, so it may not be available to all students.Overall, the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is a great option for students who want to earn miles with American Airlines and who are willing to pay an annual fee. The card offers a great welcome bonus, and it earns you 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. The card also has a few other benefits that can make it a good value for students, such as no foreign transaction fees and a companion certificate after you spend $20,000 on purchases in a calendar year.
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®
How to choose the right American Airlines credit card for you?
Now that you know the top 3 American Airlines credit cards, how do you choose the right one for you? Here are a few things to consider:
Your travel habits:
How often do you fly American Airlines? If you’re a frequent flyer, then you’ll want to choose a card that offers a lot of rewards and benefits. If you only fly American Airlines a few times a year, then you may be able to get away with a card that has a lower annual fee and fewer rewards.
Your spending habits:
What do you typically spend your money on? If you spend a lot of money on travel, then you’ll want to choose a card that earns bonus miles on travel purchases. If you don’t spend a lot of money on travel, then you may be better off with a card that earns bonus miles on everyday purchases.
Your budget:
How much money are you willing to spend on an annual fee? American Airlines credit cards can have annual fees ranging from $0 to $95. If you’re on a tight budget, then you may want to choose a card with no annual fee.
Your credit score:
American Airlines credit cards typically require good to excellent credit. If you have bad credit, you may not be approved for an American Airlines credit card.
Once you’ve considered these factors, you can start to narrow down your choices and choose the right American Airlines credit card for you.
How To Determine the Right Credit Cards?
Read the fine print:
Before you apply for any credit card, be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully. This includes the annual fee, the rewards program, and the eligibility requirements.
Compare different cards:
There are a number of different American Airlines credit cards available, so be sure to compare different cards before you make a decision. This will help you find the card that offers the best rewards and benefits for you.
Consider your goals:
What are your goals for using an American Airlines credit card? Do you want to earn enough miles for a free flight? Do you want to save money on travel? Once you know your goals, you can choose a card that will help you achieve them.
Get pre-approved:
Before you apply for a credit card, you can get pre-approved. This will give you an idea of whether you’re likely to be approved for the card and what your credit limit will be.
American Airlines credit card for maximum Rewards
Once you’ve chosen the right American Airlines credit card, you can start using it to earn rewards. Here are a few tips for using your card for maximum rewards:
Use your card for all of your eligible purchases:
The more you use your card, the more rewards you’ll earn.
Take advantage of bonus categories:
Many American Airlines credit cards offer bonus rewards for spending in certain categories, such as travel or dining. Be sure to use your card for these purchases to earn even more rewards.
Pay your bill on time and in full:
This will help you avoid interest charges and keep your credit score healthy.
Transfer your miles to partners:
American Airlines has a number of partners that you can transfer your miles to. This can give you even more options for redeeming your miles.
Comparing American Airlines credit card Interest rates:
here is a comparison of the interest rates for the top 3 American Airlines credit cards:
| Card | Annual Fee | Interest Rate (Variable) |
|---|---|---|
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® | $99 (waived for the first year) | 16.24% – 26.24% |
| AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® | $95 | 16.49% – 26.49% |
| American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® | $0 | 16.49% – 26.49% |
As you can see, the interest rates for all three cards are in the same range. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has a slightly lower interest rate than the other two cards, but it also has a higher annual fee. The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® and the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® have the same interest rate and annual fee.
It’s important to note that these are just the standard interest rates for these cards. If you have a good credit score, you may be able to get a lower interest rate. You can also get a lower interest rate by signing up for a balance transfer offer.
If you’re concerned about interest rates, you may want to consider a card with a lower interest rate. However, it’s important to weigh the interest rate against the other features of the card, such as the welcome bonus, rewards program, and benefits.
Here are some additional things to consider when choosing an American Airlines credit card:
Welcome bonus:
Many American Airlines credit cards offer a welcome bonus, which is a lump sum of miles that you can earn after you spend a certain amount of money on the card in the first few months. The welcome bonus can be a great way to get started on your journey to earning free flights.
Rewards program:
American Airlines credit cards offer a rewards program, which allows you to earn miles for every dollar you spend. You can then redeem your miles for free flights, upgrades, or other rewards.
Benefits:
American Airlines credit cards offer a variety of benefits, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and discounts on in-flight purchases. These benefits can save you money and make your travel experience more enjoyable.
Ultimately, the best American Airlines credit card for you will depend on your individual needs and spending habits. If you’re looking for a card with a low-interest rate, you may want to consider the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®. If you’re looking for a card with a great welcome bonus and rewards program, you may want to consider the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®. And if you’re looking for a card with a variety of benefits, you may want to consider the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®.
Are students eligible for American airline credit cards?
Yes, students are eligible for American Airlines credit cards. However, the eligibility requirements may vary depending on the card.
Here are some of the American Airlines credit cards that students may be eligible for:
- American Airlines AAdvantage® Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard®: This card has no annual fee and offers 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. Students who are enrolled in college or university full-time are eligible for a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp℠ Card: This card has no annual fee and offers 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. Students who are enrolled in college or university full-time are eligible for a welcome bonus of 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- American Airlines AAdvantage® Student Card: This card has no annual fee and offers 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. Students who are enrolled in college or university full-time are eligible for a welcome bonus of 50,000 bonus miles after they spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
To be eligible for any of these cards, you must be a student who is enrolled in college or university full-time. You must also have a credit history of at least 6 months, or have a cosigner with good credit.
If you are a student and are interested in applying for an American Airlines credit card, I recommend that you research the different cards available to see which one is the best fit for your needs. You can also contact American Airlines for more information about their student credit card programs.