The best American Airlines credit card benefits are bonus miles on American Airlines flights, savings on in-flight purchases, free checked bags, preferred boarding, and even airport lounge access on some cards. The long list of AAdvantage credit card benefits also includes more traditional perks like rental car insurance, travel accident insurance and purchase protection.… read full answer
All American Airlines credit cards except for the AAdvantage Aviator card charge annual fees, ranging from $49 to $450. So it’s a good idea to milk your card for all the benefits you can get.
Best American Airlines Credit Card Benefits
Bonus miles on American Airlines flights
Most AAdvantage credit cards give 2 miles per $1 on American Airlines purchases. The AAdvantage Aviator card gives 1 per $1.
Initial bonus
You may be able to get a lump sum of miles for spending a certain amount of money in the first few months your card is open. The best bonus right now is 60,000 miles, which you can get from the AAdvantage Aviator Red card after making your first purchase and paying the annual fee.
Free checked bags
All but two American Airlines credit cards give you a free checked bag on American Airlines flights. Some even give a free checked bag to 4-8 of your travel companions. The two cards without free checked bags are the AAdvantage Aviator card and the AAdvantage Aviator Blue card.
Preferred boarding
All American Airlines credit cards provide preferred boarding on American Airlines flights, except the AAdvantage Aviator card and the AAdvantage Aviator Blue card.
In-flight purchase savings
You can get 25% off American Airlines in-flight food and beverage purchases with any American Airlines credit card.
Lounge access
The Citi/AAdvantage Executive Card offers a complimentary Admirals Club membership for you and your authorized users. You can also bring your spouse, children or up to two other guests.
Rental car insurance
All American Airlines cards cover you against collision damage and theft, up to the cash value of most rental cars.
Travel accident insurance
Reimburses you when you or your family die or are seriously injured by a travel provider. The Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select Card, CitiBusiness/AAdvantage Platinum Select Card, AAdvantage Aviator Red Card and AAdvantage Gold Card (discontinued) have this benefit.
Trip interruption/cancellation insurance
Pays out when a situation out of your control (e.g. severe weather, sickness) causes the cancellation or early end of your trip. The Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select Card, CitiBusiness/AAdvantage Platinum Select Card, AAdvantage Aviator Red Card and AAdvantage Gold Card (discontinued) have this benefit.
Baggage loss insurance
Reimburses you when your bags and their contents are lost or damaged by a travel provider. The Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select Card, CitiBusiness/AAdvantage Platinum Select Card, AAdvantage Aviator Red Card and AAdvantage Gold Card (discontinued) have this benefit.
Purchase protection
Insures items you buy with your card against damage or theft for 90 days after purchase. The Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select Card, CitiBusiness/AAdvantage Platinum Select Card, AAdvantage Aviator Red Card and AAdvantage Gold Card (discontinued) have this benefit.
Price protection
Reimburses you for the difference between the price you paid for an item and a lower sale price you find within 120 days. The Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select Card, CitiBusiness/AAdvantage Platinum Select Card, AAdvantage Aviator Red Card and AAdvantage Gold Card (discontinued) have this benefit.
There are tons of American Airlines credit card benefits. But some cards provide a lot more than others. If you’re looking for the most benefits at the lowest price, consider the AAdvantage Aviator Red Card. It offers every major benefit (except for lounge access) and charges a $95 annual fee.
It’s also good to note that you can also get some of these benefits without a credit card – just by joining the AAdvantage loyalty program. Basic members only get priority status on waitlists. But Gold members, who have either flown 30 qualifying segments or earned 25,000 qualifying miles in a calendar year, are able to get the priority boarding and free checked bag benefits. You also can get complimentary flight upgrades and discounted Admirals club memberships, among other things.
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