This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Disclosure, visit this page.
If you fly American Airlines (AA) regularly for business, you’ll want to get the most out of your travels. One of the easiest ways to do that is through a co-branded Citi American Airlines credit card. You’ll earn miles on purchases, get perks like free checked bags and preferred boarding, and may even earn a companion certificate. Let’s take a closer look to find the best American Airlines business credit card for you.
Finding the Best American Airlines Business Credit Cards
The two options available to business owners are:
- AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®
- CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
One card is offered by Barclays, while Citi offers the other. Both options come with many perks, such as business-specific spending bonuses, companion certificates, and free checked bags. However, if neither option is a good fit, there are a few other business cards you may want to consider (more on that later).
You can also find the best American Airlines credit cards for personal use.
AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard
The information for the AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® is probably the better option as it offers slightly better benefits. Barclays offers this card as part of its Aviator card family from the days of US Airways. These cards now earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles on all purchases.
Here are the card perks you will enjoy the most:
- Companion certificate good for one guest at $99 after $30,000 in annual eligible card purchases (taxes and fees apply)
- The first checked bag is free and priority boarding for up to 4 companions
- 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchase savings on American Airlines-operated flights
The annual fee is $95, but there are no foreign transaction fees.
Cardholders can earn:
- 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
- 2x miles at office supply, telecom, and car rental purchases
- 1x mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
New card members can earn a signup bonus of up to 70,000 miles. Earn the first 60,000 miles by spending $2,000 in the first 90 days. You can earn the final 10,000 miles after a purchase is made on an employee card.
Cardholders can also earn a 5% mileage bonus earned every year after their account anniversary date (based on the total number of miles earned using the card).
Employee cards are complimentary.
How This Card Can Add Value
Earning 2x miles on select business purchases is a nice touch. However, the annual 5% mileage bonus can be a great bonus. For instance, earning 50,000 miles in a year gives you 2,500 bonus miles.
CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard
The information for the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Your second American Airlines business credit card option is the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®. This card doesn’t have as many ongoing perks as the Aviator Business, but it’s a solid contender. It’s possible to earn a larger signup bonus, for instance.
- 25% savings on in-flight WiFi, food, and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights
- First checked bag free for you and up to 4 companions on domestic itineraries
- Preferred boarding for you and up to 4 companions
- $99 Companion certificate after $30,000 in annual card purchases and card membership is renewed
The annual fee is $0 for the first year and then $99. There is no foreign transaction fee.
Cardholders can also earn:
- 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
- 2x miles for telecommunications, cable and satellite providers, car rentals, and gas stations
- 1x miles for everything else
Plus, earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.
New card members can earn a signup bonus of 65,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 4 months.
One overlapping benefit between both cards is the American Airlines companion certificate. One companion flies for $99 plus fees and taxes (between $21.60 and $43.20) on a domestic main cabin ticket.
Another overlapping perk is a free first-checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to 4 companions. These benefits help make traveling with multiple people less stressful and slightly more affordable.
How This Card Can Add Value
This CitiBusiness card doesn’t offer an annual 5% bonus, and the 2x bonus categories vary slightly (though the gas station bonus category can be helpful). If the double bonus categories are better than the 5% annual bonus, this can be the better option. This card would greatly complement the Citi American Airlines personal cards.
Note that you will need an excellent credit score for this card.
When to Pick the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard
The AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® is the better fit in these cases:
- Want the 5% annual purchase rewards bonus
- Prefer 25% in-flight savings on food and beverage
- The signup bonus only has a $2,000 minimum spend
Both American Airlines’ business credit cards are World Mastercard, so the card issuer won’t necessarily factor into your decision.
When to Pick the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select
The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is the better business credit card when:
- 2x bonus categories are a better fit than the Aviator Business Mastercard
- Get 25% in-flight savings on WiFi, food, and beverages
- No annual fee for the first year
Both cards offer similar free checked bags and priority boarding benefits for you and up to 4 companions. The spending requirement for the annual $99 companion certificate is similar to the Business Aviator.
Not earning 5% bonus purchase rewards is possibly the largest downside for choosing this version over the Aviator Business Mastercard.
Summary
The American Airlines business credit cards offer similar purchase rewards and additional benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, and a companion certificate. Choosing the one that best fits your spending habits will be your best option.
FAQs
What is the best American Airlines business credit card?
Both Citi and Barclays offer an American Airlines business credit card. Each card provides these similar benefits:
- Earn up to 2 AAdvantage miles on purchases
- Free first checked bag for you and up to 4 companions
- Priority boarding for up to 4 companions
- $99 companion certificate after $30,000 in annual card purchases
- No foreign transaction fee
There are a few small differences between the AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® and the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®. Each card has slightly different 2x purchase rewards categories, 25% in-flight savings, and a signup bonus. However, the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard has a $95 annual fee while the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum has an annual fee of $99.
You should consider applying for the AAdvantage Aviator Business Credit Card first. You get a 5% year-end purchase rewards bonus.
What credit cards does American Airlines partner with?
American Airlines has co-brand credit card relationships with Barclays and Citi. Both banks offer personal and small business credit cards.
No credit card lets you transfer credit card points directly to your AAdvantage loyalty account. There is a backdoor way to book American Airlines award flights with airline partners. You can transfer your miles to British Airways and use Avios to fly American Airlines.
British Airways is a 1:1 airline transfer partner for these credit card programs:
- American Express Membership Rewards
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Citi ThankYou
What credit score do I need for an American Express business credit card?
You will have the best approval odds for an American Express business credit card with a personal credit score above 700. A score in the high or mid-600s may also qualify but might require manual review.
These cards have a personal guarantee which is why your personal credit score comes into play. Having a high business income or strong business credit score may help your approval odds.
Related Articles:
