Citi will assume exclusivity as American Airlines' card issuer, marking the end for Barclays credit cards.
In a recent development, American Airlines and Citi have announced a 10-year extension of their cobranded partnership, set to begin in 2026. However, this extension does not signal the end of the Barclays-issued AAdvantage Aviator portfolio cards.
The Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard, issued by Barclays, remains available and active. New applicants can still earn a substantial welcome bonus of 60,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after making a single purchase within 90 days and paying the $99 annual fee. The card continues to provide perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and a Companion Certificate for high spenders.
While many benefits of the Aviator Red card have been phased out over time, such as the 10% mile rebate on redemptions and Reduced Mileage Awards, this card remains a viable option for earning American Airlines miles. The Aviator Silver card, although no longer available for new applications, can be obtained as an upgrade from the Aviator Red card, indicating Barclays maintains a distinct Aviator product line separate from Citi’s offerings.
The expansion and extension of the partnership between American Airlines and Citi will reportedly positively impact existing and new customers, as they are expected to introduce new products and benefits in the future and produce expanded loyalty and rewards offerings for AAdvantage members and Citi-branded cardmembers.
It is worth noting that the American Express Gold Card offers attractive rewards for dining and travel, with 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, and 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
Moreover, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles, and Citi offered a limited-time transfer opportunity to convert Citi points to AAdvantage miles in the second half of 2021, although it is unclear if that will be brought back on an ongoing basis.
In summary, the Barclays-issued AAdvantage Aviator portfolio cards continue to be issued and supported alongside Citi’s American Airlines credit cards, even after the partnership extension between American Airlines and Citi. These cards operate in parallel within the AAdvantage program, each with their own features and benefits. Consumers deciding between Barclays-issued Aviator cards and Citi-issued AAdvantage credit cards may consider differences in welcome bonuses, benefits, and spending categories.
- Despite the 10-year extension of the cobranded partnership between American Airlines and Citi, the Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard, issued by Barclays, continues to be available for new applicants.
- The Aviator Red card, issued by Barclays, still provides perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and a Companion Certificate for high spenders.
- The American Express Gold Card offers attractive rewards for dining and travel, with 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, and 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines.
- In the AAdvantage program, the Barclays-issued Aviator cards and Citi-issued AAdvantage credit cards operate in parallel, each with their own features and benefits.
- Consumers deciding between Barclays-issued Aviator cards and Citi-issued AAdvantage credit cards should consider differences in welcome bonuses, benefits, and spending categories.
- The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles, and Citi offered a limited-time transfer opportunity to convert Citi points to AAdvantage miles in the second half of 2021.
- Being aware of the various options available in the travel industry – like credit cards, travel rewards, bankings and insurance, finance, and investing – is essential for making informed decisions that align with one's personal-finance goals.
