In October 2025, the well-known AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® and the entire range of American Airlines AAdvantage cards from Barclays will no longer be accepting new applications, as confirmed by a Barclays spokesperson. This decision was anticipated following the announcement made in late 2024 that Citi would be the exclusive issuer for American Airlines credit cards.
American Airlines has historically offered co-branded AAdvantage credit cards through both Citi and Barclays, a unique situation stemming from the 2013 merger of American Airlines and US Airways. Initially, Citi issued American cards, while Barclays issued US Airways cards. When the airlines merged, both issuers retained parts of the card portfolio.
In the 2024 announcement, Citi revealed plans to acquire Barclays’ suite of AAdvantage cards and transition existing Barclays cardholders to Citi products by 2026. Barclays assures current AAdvantage Aviator cardholders that they can continue using their cards and earning rewards until the transition, with more details on the shift to be provided to AAdvantage Aviator cardholders in the upcoming months.
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® distinguished itself from other rewards cards with its generous and easily attainable welcome bonus. While bonus amounts varied, cardholders could earn the full miles after just one purchase and paying the $99 annual fee within the first 90 days. Most credit cards require meeting a specific spending threshold to unlock a welcome bonus.
Other cards in the AAdvantage Aviator lineup included the AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Silver Mastercard®, the AAdvantage® Aviator® Blue World Elite Mastercard®, and the AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Mastercard® — previously available as upgrades or downgrades from the Aviator Red card.
Citi’s range of American Airlines cards offer:
Here are the card benefits:
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• 2 AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services, and on eligible American Airlines purchases. • 1 mile for every $1 spent on other purchases. |
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• 2 AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants and on eligible American Airlines purchases. • 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. • First checked bag free for cardholder and up to 4 traveling companions on your reservation. |
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•10 miles per $1 spent on eligible car rentals and hotels booked through AA. • 4 miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases (5 miles per dollar after spending $150,000 in total on the card in a calendar year). • 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. • First checked bag free for cardholder and up to 8 traveling companions on your reservation. • Admirals Club airport lounge membership and access for up to 2 guests or immediate family members traveling with the cardholder. |
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• 2 AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. • 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases. • First checked bag free for cardholder and up to 4 traveling companions on your reservation. |