Are you ready to unlock a world of travel rewards and benefits with American Airlines? Getting an American Airlines credit card can be a fantastic way to earn AAdvantage® miles on your everyday spending, get perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and even work towards elite status faster. But with several options available, it's essential to understand the application process and choose the card that best suits your travel habits. Let's dive in!
How to Apply for an American Airlines Credit Card: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Applying for a credit card can seem daunting, but by breaking it down into manageable steps, you'll be well on your way to enjoying those American Airlines perks.
Step 1: Identify Your Travel Needs and Compare Card Options
Before you even think about filling out an application, the most crucial first step is to assess your personal spending habits and travel goals. American Airlines partners with credit card issuers like Citi and Barclays to offer a variety of AAdvantage® credit cards, each with unique benefits and fee structures.
Sub-heading: Understanding the Different AAdvantage® Cards
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: This is a popular choice for many, often offering a solid welcome bonus, first checked bag free for you and companions, preferred boarding, and 2X miles on American Airlines purchases, restaurants, and gas stations. It typically has an annual fee that's often waived for the first year.
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card: If you're looking for a no annual fee option, this card is excellent for earning miles on American Airlines purchases and at grocery stores. It also offers a 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: This premium card is geared towards frequent travelers and offers significant benefits like Admirals Club® lounge membership, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee credit, and enhanced airport experiences. It comes with a higher annual fee.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® (Barclays): This card often boasts an easy-to-achieve welcome bonus, usually just requiring a single purchase and payment of the annual fee. It also provides a free checked bag, preferred boarding, and 25% savings on in-flight purchases.
Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®: For business owners, this card allows you to earn AAdvantage® miles on business spending, with benefits tailored to corporate travel.
Consider things like:
How often do you fly American Airlines?
Do you check bags frequently?
Are airport lounge access or elite status a priority for you?
What's your typical monthly spending in different categories (groceries, dining, gas)?
Are you comfortable with an annual fee, or do you prefer a no-fee card?
By answering these questions, you can narrow down the choices and find the card that aligns perfectly with your lifestyle and travel aspirations.
Step 2: Check Your Credit Score
Credit card issuers will review your credit history to determine your eligibility. It's a good idea to know where you stand before applying.
Sub-heading: Why Your Credit Score Matters
Your credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness. A higher score indicates a lower risk to lenders. For most American Airlines co-branded credit cards, you'll generally need a good to excellent credit score (typically FICO Score 670 or higher) for the best chance of approval.
Sub-heading: How to Check Your Credit Score
You can obtain your credit score for free from several sources:
Many credit card companies offer free FICO scores to their cardholders.
Credit bureaus like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion provide free annual credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. While these reports don't always include your score, they contain the information lenders use to calculate it.
Various online financial services also offer free credit score checks.
Review your credit report for any errors that could negatively impact your score. If you find discrepancies, dispute them promptly. If your score isn't where you want it to be, consider taking steps to improve it before applying, such as paying down existing debt and making on-time payments.
Step 3: Gather Necessary Information
The application process requires you to provide personal and financial details. Having this information readily available will make the application quick and smooth.
Sub-heading: What Information You'll Need
Typically, you'll be asked for:
Full Name and Date of Birth
Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
Current Residential Address
Contact Information (phone number, email address)
Employment Status and Annual Income
Monthly Housing Payment (rent or mortgage)
Any existing AAdvantage® number, if you have one. If not, one will typically be assigned to you upon approval.
Step 4: Choose Your Application Method
Most American Airlines credit card applications are processed online, but you might also find opportunities to apply in-flight or through mail offers.
Sub-heading: Online Application (Recommended)
This is generally the fastest and most convenient method.
Visit the official American Airlines credit card page or the issuer's website (Citi or Barclays). Look for the "Credit Cards" or "Partner Credit Cards" section on American Airlines' website (aa.com). You can also directly visit Citi's or Barclays' credit card sections and filter for American Airlines AAdvantage® cards.
Browse the available cards and their current offers. Pay close attention to welcome bonuses, annual fees, and specific benefits.
Click "Apply Now" or a similar button for the card you've chosen.
Carefully fill out the online application form. Double-check all information for accuracy to avoid delays.
Review the terms and conditions before submitting. This includes interest rates, fees, and the cardholder agreement.
Submit your application.
Sub-heading: In-Flight Application
Sometimes, American Airlines offers credit card applications directly on flights, often with exclusive sign-up bonuses. If you're flying American Airlines, keep an eye out for these opportunities. Flight attendants may have application forms or direct you to a QR code.
Sub-heading: Mail Offers
You might receive pre-selected offers for American Airlines credit cards in the mail. These offers often come with a unique invitation code that you'll use to access a specific online application portal.
Step 5: Understand the Decision Process
Once you submit your application, the credit card issuer will review it.
Sub-heading: Instant Approval vs. Further Review
Instant Approval: If your application is straightforward and you meet all criteria, you might receive an instant approval decision. This means your new card will be mailed to you shortly.
Pending Review: In some cases, your application might go into a pending status for further review. This could happen if:
The issuer needs more information from you.
There's something in your credit history that requires a closer look.
Your income needs verification.
Denial: If your application is denied, the issuer is legally required to send you an adverse action notice explaining the reasons for the denial. This can be due to a low credit score, high debt-to-income ratio, too many recent credit inquiries, or other factors.
Sub-heading: What to Do If Your Application is Pending or Denied
Pending: If your application is pending, you might receive an email or letter requesting additional information. Respond promptly and provide any requested documents. You can also call the issuer's reconsideration line to provide more context about your application and potentially get approved.
Denied: Don't be discouraged if your application is denied. Review the reasons provided in the adverse action notice. Use this feedback to improve your creditworthiness for future applications. You can also call the reconsideration line to discuss your application. Sometimes, a human touch can make a difference.
Step 6: Receive and Activate Your Card
Congratulations on your approval! The final steps involve receiving and activating your new American Airlines credit card.
Sub-heading: What to Expect When Your Card Arrives
Your new card will typically arrive in the mail within 7-10 business days after approval. It will come with:
The physical credit card itself.
Important documents including your cardmember agreement, benefits guide, and privacy policy.
Instructions for activation.
Sub-heading: Activating Your Card
For security purposes, you'll need to activate your card before you can start using it. This usually involves:
Calling a toll-free activation number provided on a sticker on your card or in the accompanying materials.
Activating online through the issuer's website by logging into your new account.
Once activated, you can start enjoying the benefits and earning those valuable AAdvantage® miles!
Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about applying for American Airlines credit cards:
How to choose the best American Airlines credit card for me?
Quick Answer: Evaluate your travel frequency, spending habits, and desired benefits (e.g., free checked bags, lounge access, sign-up bonus) to match them with the various Citi and Barclays AAdvantage® card offerings.
How to improve my credit score before applying for an American Airlines credit card?
Quick Answer: Make all payments on time, keep your credit utilization low (ideally below 30%), avoid opening too many new credit accounts in a short period, and check your credit report for errors.
How to find out my AAdvantage® number if I don't have one?
Quick Answer: If you don't have an AAdvantage® number, one will typically be assigned to you automatically upon approval of your American Airlines credit card application.
How to apply for an American Airlines credit card if I have bad credit?
Quick Answer: Most American Airlines credit cards require good to excellent credit. If you have bad credit, focus on building your credit history first, perhaps with a secured credit card, before applying for a rewards travel card.
How to check the status of my American Airlines credit card application?
Quick Answer: You can usually check your application status online by visiting the website of the card issuer (Citi or Barclays) and entering your application details.
How to avoid the annual fee on an American Airlines credit card?
Quick Answer: Some American Airlines credit cards, like the AAdvantage® MileUp® Card, have no annual fee. For cards with fees, some offer a waiver for the first year, or the benefits may outweigh the fee if you use them regularly.
How to earn AAdvantage® miles with my new credit card?
Quick Answer: Earn AAdvantage® miles on all eligible purchases, with bonus miles typically offered on American Airlines flights, and often on specific categories like gas, groceries, or dining, depending on the card.
How to use the first checked bag free benefit?
Quick Answer: For cards offering this benefit, the primary cardmember and a certain number of companions on the same reservation typically receive their first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries when the card is used to book the flight.
How to get Admirals Club® lounge access with an American Airlines credit card?
Quick Answer: The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is the primary American Airlines credit card that offers complimentary Admirals Club® lounge membership to the primary cardholder.
How to contact American Airlines or the credit card issuer for application questions?
Quick Answer: For specific credit card application questions, contact the issuing bank (Citi or Barclays) directly using the customer service numbers listed on their websites. For general AAdvantage® program inquiries, contact American Airlines.
