What the Barclays Aa Credit Card is and who it's designed for
The Barclays Aa Credit Card is a rewards card issued by Barclays Bank that earns points on purchases, with a focus on travel redemptions through the Aa (American Airlines) program. You earn points on every dollar spent, and those points can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel benefits through American Airlines.
This card is built for people who fly American Airlines regularly or want to accumulate points toward future trips. Unlike some airline cards that require you to carry a balance or pay an annual fee to access benefits, the Barclays Aa card has a straightforward structure: you earn points, you redeem them, and the card comes with an annual fee that you'll pay whether you use the rewards or not.
The card is not a general cash-back card. If you don't fly American Airlines or don't plan to use airline rewards, a different card may suit you better. But if American Airlines is your preferred carrier or you're building toward a specific trip, this card can accelerate that goal.
Key Takeaways
- The Barclays Aa Credit Card earns points on all purchases that you redeem through American Airlines for flights and upgrades.
- The card charges an annual fee, which Barclays deducts from your account once per year regardless of how much you use the card.
- New cardholders often receive a welcome bonus of points after meeting a spending threshold in the first few months.
- Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and you use the card at least once every 12 months.
- You can redeem points for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel purchases through the American Airlines website or by calling their reservations line.
How to open a Barclays Aa Credit Card account
You can open an account online through Barclays' website or by phone. The online process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Barclays will pull your credit report to review your creditworthiness.
You'll need to provide a valid government ID (driver's license or passport) and a current mailing address. If Barclays needs to verify any information, they may ask you to call a verification line during the process process. Most decisions are made when ready, though some applications are flagged for manual review and may take one to two business days.
Once your account is open, your physical card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can request a temporary digital card number when ready after approval so you can start earning points right away while you wait for the physical card.
Understanding the annual fee and when it's charged
The Barclays Aa Credit Card charges an annual fee. This fee is charged to your account once per year, typically on your account anniversary (the date you opened the card). You will owe this fee even if you don't use the card that year.
Some versions of the Aa card offer a statement credit or bonus points in the first year that may offset part or all of the annual fee. Check the current offer when you review the card terms, as these promotions change. The fee will appear as a line item on your monthly statement.
If you close your account within a few months of opening it, Barclays may not refund the annual fee, so review the card's terms before opening an account to make sure the rewards structure aligns with your spending and travel plans.
How points are earned and what they're worth
You earn points on every purchase you make with the card, though the earning rate varies by purchase type. Most everyday purchases earn a base rate of points per dollar. Certain categories—such as American Airlines purchases, dining, or gas—may earn at a higher rate. Check your card's current terms for the exact earning rates, as these can change.
The value of each point depends on how you redeem it. When you redeem points for a flight, the value per point can range from less than one cent to several cents, depending on the flight's price and availability. Redeeming for premium cabin seats or during peak travel times often yields better value than redeeming for economy seats on off-peak flights.
Points do not expire as long as your account is open and you use the card at least once every 12 months. If your account is closed or inactive for more than 12 months, Barclays may close the account and forfeit your points, so set a calendar reminder to use the card periodically if you're not a frequent flyer.
Welcome bonuses and how to meet the spending requirement
New cardholders typically receive a welcome bonus of points after spending a certain amount within the first few months. The bonus amount and spending threshold change based on current promotions, so check the offer details when you explore. A common structure is 50,000 bonus points after you spend $2,500 in the first three months, though this varies.
The spending requirement includes all purchases you make with the card—groceries, gas, dining, online shopping, and bills. It does not include balance transfers, cash advances, or fees. If you spend $2,000 in the first month and $600 in the second month, you've met a $2,500 threshold and will receive the bonus points.
The bonus points are usually posted to your account within one to two billing cycles after you meet the spending requirement. You can check your points balance in your online account or by calling Barclays' customer service line.
Redeeming points for flights and other rewards
You redeem points through the American Airlines website, the American Airlines mobile app, or by calling American Airlines reservations at 1-800-433-7300. Log into your American Airlines account, search for the flight you want, and select the option to pay with miles or points instead of cash.
Points can be redeemed for economy, business, and first-class seats depending on availability. You can also use points to upgrade an existing reservation, pay for baggage fees, or purchase gift cards. Some redemptions may require fewer points than others—for example, a short domestic flight may cost 7,500 points while a long international flight may cost 60,000 points or more.
You are not required to book through American Airlines' website. If you book a flight on another airline that's part of the Oneworld alliance (which includes American Airlines), you may be able to redeem points for that flight as well, though the point cost and availability may differ.
What happens if you miss a payment or carry a balance
If you miss a payment, Barclays will charge a late fee and report the missed payment to credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score. A payment is considered late if it arrives after the due date shown on your statement. You can pay online, by phone, or by mail.
If you carry a balance (don't pay the full statement balance), Barclays charges interest on the unpaid amount. The interest rate (called the APR) is set based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. You can find your APR in your account terms or by logging into your online account.
To avoid interest charges, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. If you're unable to pay the full balance, call Barclays to discuss payment options or hardship programs that may be available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Barclays Aa points on airlines other than American Airlines?
You can redeem points for flights on partner airlines within the Oneworld alliance, which includes British Airways, Japan Airlines, and others. However, the point cost and availability may differ from American Airlines flights. You cannot transfer points to other airline programs or use them for non-travel purchases like cash back.
What is the credit limit, and can I request a higher limit?
Your credit limit is set when your account opens based on your credit score, income, and credit history. You can request a credit limit increase by logging into your online account or calling Barclays customer service. Barclays may perform a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.
Do I lose my points if I close the card?
Your points remain in your account for a limited time after you close the card, but Barclays' exact policy on how long varies. Contact Barclays before closing your account to redeem any remaining points, or ask how long you have to redeem them after closure.
Is there a sign-up bonus if I'm a current Barclays customer?
Current Barclays customers may receive the same welcome bonus as new customers, or Barclays may offer a different promotion. Check the offer details when you explore or call Barclays to ask what bonus you're may be able to access for based on your account history.
Can I earn points on balance transfers or cash advances?
No. Points are earned only on regular purchases. Balance transfers and cash advances do not earn points and typically carry higher fees and interest rates than regular purchases.