After Citi announced its acquisition of Barclays’ AAdvantage cards in 2024, the transition was long expected. By late 2025, the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® and other cards in Barclays’ Advantage portfolio ceased accepting new applications as cardholders were being moved to Citi products.
American Airlines previously offered co-branded AAdvantage credit cards from both Citi and Barclays due to the merger with US Airways in 2013. Citi issued American cards while Barclays issued US Airways cards, resulting in both issuers retaining parts of the portfolio.
Current Aviator Red cardholders can continue using their cards until they receive and activate the new Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, which will be mailed by April 27, 2026, without the need to apply for the new card.
The transition also includes legacy benefits for Aviator Red cardholders until further notice, such as in-flight Wi-Fi purchase rebates and an annual companion certificate upon hitting the annual spending threshold.
AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points earned on the Aviator Red card will not be affected by the transition, ensuring continued earnings on the new Citi card.
Barclays’ other AAdvantage cards will also move to Citi-issued American Airlines cards, with Aviator Blue World Elite Mastercard holders transitioning to the Citi® / AAdvantage® Gold World Elite Mastercard® and Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard holders moving to the Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®.
Please note that information about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® and other Citi cards has been collected by BW and has not been provided or reviewed by the issuer of these cards.