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American Airways AAdvantage MileUp card overview
The American Airways AAdvantage® MileUp® card gives the power to earn frequent flyer miles for no annual charge. For infrequent American flyers in search of a starter rewards card, the AAdvantage MileUp card suits the invoice. Nonetheless, given its restricted perks and card safety advantages, different choices are value contemplating. Card Score*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card score is predicated on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.
With regards to selecting your first journey rewards bank card, you will have numerous choices.
The American Airways AAdvantage MileUp is an entry-level American AAdvantage card within the airline’s cobranded card lineup. This implies you will earn American Airways AAdvantage miles on the cardboard.
One of many largest elements in choosing a cobranded airline bank card is the frequency with which you will fly the provider. Will you be flying the airline sufficient to reap the benefits of the advantages?
Or will you be higher suited to a card that earns straight money again or one other, extra versatile rewards forex? And, is it value ponying up some money for an annual charge?
As a way to qualify for the AAdvantage MileUp card, we suggest a credit score rating of 670 or greater.
Let’s dive into answering these questions for the MileUp card to see if this no-annual-fee card is best for you.
The data for the AAdvantage MileUp card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
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AAdvantage MileUp card professionals and cons
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AAdvantage MileUp card welcome provide
New cardholders can earn 15,000 miles after spending $500 in purchases inside the first three months of account opening, which TPG’s March 2025 valuations peg at $248.
With no annual charge and a low spending requirement, that is definitely an affordable provide however removed from essentially the most profitable provide on an American Airways card.
If you have already got one other AAdvantage card, you too can earn the bonus on the AAdvantage MileUp card; you simply cannot earn the bonus once more should you’ve acquired a brand new account bonus for an AAdvantage MileUp account previously 48 months.
That could be alternative to seize extra AAdvantage miles for no annual charge.
AAdvantage MileUp card advantages
Whereas it would not have any high-value perks, the MileUp has a couple of advantages that American Airways flyers ought to pay attention to:
- 25% financial savings on inflight purchases: You will get a reduction on inflight meals and beverage purchases (however not on inflight Wi-Fi, which a 3rd get together manages). This low cost comes within the type of an announcement credit score after a transaction has been posted to your account.
- No mileage cap: You possibly can earn as many American miles as you want after which redeem them for flights, upgrades, automotive leases and lodge stays (though flights are essentially the most precious redemption)
- Earn Loyalty factors: Cardholders earn 1 Loyalty Level for each 1 eligible mile earned from purchases
Sadly, Citi has taken away many of the journey and procuring safety advantages they supplied on practically all their bank cards.
Moreover, the MileUp card has a 3% international transaction charge, so you will not wish to use it when touring overseas. As a substitute, it’s possible you’ll wish to contemplate playing cards that supply no international transaction charges.
The financial savings on inflight concessions have the potential to be a pleasant little perk must you really have to buy a snack or meal. For example, if a household of 4 had two round-trip flights per yr and every purchased a $10 sandwich on board in every route, that household would save $40 annually with the AAdvantage MileUp card. That is not unhealthy for a card with no annual charge.
Associated: The most effective airline bank cards with inflight reductions
Incomes miles on the AAdvantage MileUp card
That is what you possibly can count on to earn in your purchases utilizing the MileUp card:
- 2 miles per greenback spent on eligible American Airways purchases
- 2 miles per greenback at grocery shops (together with grocery supply providers)
- 1 mile per greenback on all different purchases
It might be clever to make use of the AAdvantage MileUp card for on a regular basis grocery spending and eligible American Airways purchases.
Nonetheless, keep in mind that many card choices have profitable incomes charges for grocery purchases. Like many issuers, Citi excludes low cost shops and warehouse golf equipment from the grocery retailer bonus fee.
Associated: The most effective grocery bank cards
Redeeming miles on the AAdvantage MileUp card
As a cobranded airline bank card, you possibly can solely redeem your earned miles towards journey with American Airways and its companions.
Your factors may also be used on Oneworld and nonalliance companions, comparable to Etihad, Air Tahiti Nui and Japan Airways. I get pleasure from redeeming AAdvantage miles with Oneworld associate airways, comparable to for West Coast to Tokyo on Japan Airways enterprise class for 60,000 miles.
As well as, you possibly can redeem American miles on:
- Flight upgrades
- Admirals Membership memberships
- Rental automobiles
- Lodge stays
- Charities
Nonetheless, non-flight redemptions nearly at all times present a poor redemption fee.
Miles earned on the MileUp card don’t have any expiration date as lengthy you both earn or redeem them each 24 months. That is nice you probably have an enormous journey in thoughts for the longer term.
Whereas we do not suggest hoarding factors and miles (they are often devalued at any time), you may spend years racking up AAdvantage miles and redeem them anytime, as long as you are utilizing the cardboard every now and then.
Associated: Finest makes use of of American Airways AAdvantage miles
Which playing cards compete with the AAdvantage MileUp card?
As talked about earlier, there are many choices for entry-level rewards bank cards. Even inside American Airways’ personal lineup of Citi playing cards, there are a number of to select from, alongside a cobranded partnership with Barclays which is set to be discontinued.
- If you happen to favor extra advantages: The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Choose® World Elite Mastercard® comes with an introductory $0 annual charge (then $99 per yr). Advantages embody a primary free checked bag (for you and as much as 4 companions on the identical reservation), no international transaction charges and a $125 American Airways flight low cost certificates after spending $20,000 on the cardboard in a cardmember yr.
- If you happen to favor elite advantages with American Airways: The Citi® / AAdvantage® Govt World Elite Mastercard® (see charges and charges) comes with an Admirals Membership membership, providing you with entry to almost 100 Admirals Membership and associate lounges worldwide. Cardholders even have the power to deliver as much as two company once they have a same-day boarding go for American or one in every of its companions. You will additionally get precedence check-in and boarding. To be taught extra, learn our full assessment of the Citi / AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard.
- If you happen to favor United: The United Gateway℠ Card is the no-annual-fee choice for United flyers. This card has a greater rewards fee than most of its rivals for journey, fuel and transit purchases. You possibly can obtain 25% again on United inflight and United Membership premium drink purchases with this card, a stable profit for a no-annual-fee product. To be taught extra, learn our full assessment of the United Gateway Card.
For extra choices, try our full listing of the most effective journey bank cards and greatest American Airways playing cards.
Associated: How to decide on an airline bank card
The data for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Choose has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Is the AAdvantage MileUp card value it?
The AAdvantage MileUp card in all probability is not the cardboard for you in order for you perks like a free checked bag or precedence boarding. Nonetheless, should you can forgo the perks and are dedicated to incomes AAdvantage miles or dwell close to an American hub, this generally is a precious rewards starter card.
Backside line
If you wish to earn standing and miles quicker with American Airways, the AAdvantage MileUp card might be an ideal begin. The dearth of an annual charge makes it good for many who do not journey typically sufficient to justify paying one. The AAdvantage MileUp additionally has a stable earnings fee for groceries and American Airways purchases.
Nonetheless, should you fly American Airways greater than a few instances per yr or should you’re searching for a card that gives extra profitable perks or journey rewards, there are higher choices obtainable.
Associated: 7 of the most effective starter journey bank cards
