Best cards at American Airlines

Common questions

What is the best credit card at American Airlines?

The Platinum Card from American Express earns the most at American Airlines right now at 5x.

How does SwipeCaddy pick the best card at American Airlines?

We rank each card by its reward rate times a conservative cash value of its points or miles — no inflated transfer valuations — and apply American Airlines's card-acceptance rules, so the "best" card is one you can actually use at the register.

Do I need an annual-fee card to earn well on American Airlines flights?

No. The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card earns 4x on travel, airfare included, with no annual fee and no cap on that rate in our data. The two cards above it earn more per dollar by our valuation, but they cost $895 and $695 a year, and on airfare alone their extra earnings cover those fees only once you spend tens of thousands of dollars a year with American. For most occasional flyers, the no-fee 4x is the easier answer.

Is the Citi AAdvantage Executive card worth it for American Airlines flights?

Only if you fly American often. The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard earns 4 miles per dollar on purchases billed by American Airlines, near 4.8% back by our valuation, plus Admirals Club membership and a free first checked bag on domestic American itineraries. At $695 a year, unless you spend heavily with American, those perks have to carry most of the fee, since a no-fee 4x travel card earns nearly as much on the ticket itself.