What the American Airlines Barclaycard does

The American Airlines Barclaycard is a co-branded credit card issued by Barclays that earns miles toward American Airlines flights and upgrades. You earn miles on every purchase, get a sign-up bonus after you meet a spending threshold, and receive perks like checked bag waivers and priority boarding. The card comes in several versions — the basic card, a premium version with an annual fee, and a business version — each with different earning rates and benefits.

The card is not a rewards card that lets you transfer points anywhere. Miles earned on this card stay within the American Airlines program and can only be used for American Airlines flights, seat upgrades, or other American Airlines services. If you fly American regularly or want to build miles toward a specific trip, this card can move you toward that goal faster than paying cash.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn a set number of miles per dollar spent, with bonus earning on American Airlines purchases and sometimes on dining or gas depending on the card version.
  • A sign-up bonus gives you a large chunk of miles upfront if you spend a certain amount in the first few months — the exact amount varies by card version and current offer.
  • Annual fees range from zero on the basic card to several hundred dollars on premium versions, and you need to decide whether the perks justify the cost.
  • Miles do not expire as long as you have account activity with American Airlines at least once every 18 months, but the card itself requires an active account to keep earning.
  • You can use miles to book flights, pay for seat upgrades, or cover baggage fees, but you cannot convert them to cash or transfer them to another airline.

The three main card versions and their differences

Barclays offers the American Airlines card in three tiers. The basic card has no annual fee and earns a flat rate on all purchases, plus bonus miles on American Airlines tickets. This version is best if you fly American occasionally and want to build miles without paying yearly.

The premium card carries an annual fee (the amount changes year to year) and includes benefits like a free checked bag, priority boarding, and bonus earning on dining and gas purchases. The higher earning rate and perks are meant to offset the fee if you use the card regularly. You get the annual fee waived for the first year on most offers.

The business version is designed for business owners and has its own earning structure and benefits. It typically includes employee cards, higher earning on business purchases, and a different annual fee. If you own a business and fly American for work, this version may offer more value than the personal cards.

How to understand the sign-up bonus

When you first open the card, Barclays offers a bonus of miles if you spend a certain amount within a set timeframe — usually three to six months. The bonus amount and spending requirement change depending on the current offer and which card version you choose. You need to check the current offer when you are ready to open the card, because the bonus is not the same every month.

The bonus is paid to your account once you meet the spending requirement. It counts toward your total miles balance right away, so you can use it to book a flight or upgrade when ready. The bonus does not require you to use the card for any specific category — any purchase that counts toward the spending requirement will work.

Annual fees and whether they make sense for you

The basic card has no annual fee, so you pay nothing to keep it open. The premium card charges an annual fee that you pay once per year to maintain the card. Barclays typically waives this fee for the first year, then charges it on your anniversary date each year after.

To decide if the premium card is worth the fee, add up what you would spend on the perks if you bought them separately — a checked bag fee, seat upgrades, or priority boarding — and compare that to the annual cost. If you fly American at least a few times per year and use the card for everyday purchases, the bonus earning and perks often cover the fee. If you fly rarely or would not use the benefits, the basic card is the better choice.

How miles work and what you can do with them

Miles are the currency of the American Airlines program. You earn them by using the card, flying American Airlines, or through partner activities like hotel stays or car rentals. Once you have miles in your account, you can use them to book flights, pay for seat upgrades, cover baggage fees, or purchase other travel services through American Airlines.

The number of miles required for a flight depends on the route, the time of year, and how far in advance you book. A short domestic flight might cost 7,500 miles, while a long international flight could cost 50,000 or more. American Airlines publishes award charts that show the mile cost for different routes, though availability changes constantly.

Miles do not expire as long as you have some activity in your American Airlines account within any 18-month period. Activity includes flying, earning miles through the card, or even just logging into your account. If your account goes inactive for 18 months, your miles may be forfeited, so you need to use the card or fly at least once every year and a half to keep them.

What happens after you open the card

Once your card arrives, you can set up it through the Barclays website or by calling the number on the back. You will also want to link it to your American Airlines frequent flyer account so that miles post automatically when you fly. You can do this through the American Airlines website or by providing your frequent flyer number to Barclays.

Every purchase you make on the card earns miles at the rate shown in your card agreement. Some categories earn bonus miles — for example, American Airlines purchases might earn double miles — so check your terms to see where you earn the most. You can track your miles balance through the American Airlines website or the Barclays card portal.

If you decide the card is not right for you, you can close it at any time. Your miles stay in your American Airlines account and do not disappear when you close the card, as long as you keep your frequent flyer account active. However, you will stop earning miles from card purchases once the account is closed.

Common reasons people choose or avoid this card

People choose the American Airlines Barclaycard when they fly American frequently and want to earn miles faster than they would by flying alone. The sign-up bonus can be worth hundreds of dollars in flight value if you meet the spending requirement. The card also works well if you want to consolidate your everyday spending and frequent flyer earning into one account.

People avoid this card if they fly multiple airlines and do not want to lock miles into one program. Miles earned on this card cannot be transferred to other airlines or converted to cash, so if your travel plans change, you are stuck with American Airlines miles. The annual fee on the premium card is also a barrier if you do not fly often enough to use the perks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use miles to book flights on partner airlines?

American Airlines has partnerships with other airlines, and you can sometimes use miles to book partner flights through the American Airlines website. However, partner awards often cost more miles than American Airlines flights and have limited availability. Check the American Airlines award chart to see which partners are included and what the mile costs are.

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Your miles stay in your American Airlines frequent flyer account and do not disappear when you close the card. You will straightforward stop earning new miles from card purchases. As long as you keep your frequent flyer account active through flying or other activity, your miles remain available to use.

How long does it take to earn enough miles for a free flight?

This depends on how much you spend on the card and how many miles each flight costs. A short domestic flight might require 7,500 to 15,000 miles, which you could earn in a few months of regular spending. A long international flight could require 50,000 miles or more, which might take a year or longer depending on your spending. The sign-up bonus can cut this time significantly.

Do I have to fly American Airlines to use this card?

No. You earn miles on every purchase you make with the card, regardless of whether you fly. However, the card is designed for people who do fly American, because that is the only way to use the miles. If you never fly American, the miles will sit unused in your account.

Can I transfer my miles to someone else?

American Airlines allows you to transfer miles to another person's frequent flyer account, but there is usually a fee for each transfer. The amount varies, so check the American Airlines website for current transfer costs. You can also use your miles to book a flight for someone else without transferring the miles themselves.