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American Airways AAdvantage MileUp card overview
The American Airways AAdvantage® MileUp® card affords the power to earn frequent flyer miles for no annual price. For infrequent American flyers searching for a starter rewards card, the AAdvantage MileUp card matches the invoice. Nonetheless, given its restricted perks and card safety advantages, different choices are value contemplating. Card Score*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card ranking relies 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’ve gotten a variety of 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 make the most of the advantages?
Or will you be higher suited to a card that earns straight money again or one other, extra versatile rewards foreign money? And, is it value ponying up some money for an annual price?
With a purpose to qualify for the AAdvantage MileUp card, we advocate a credit score rating of 670 or increased.
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 execs 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 price and a low spending requirement, that is definitely an inexpensive provide however removed from the most profitable provide on an American Airways card.
If you have already got one other AAdvantage card, you may also 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 may be an excellent alternative to seize extra AAdvantage miles for no annual price.
AAdvantage MileUp card advantages
Whereas it does 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 may get a reduction on inflight meals and beverage purchases (however not on inflight Wi-Fi, which a 3rd social gathering 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, automobile leases and lodge stays (though flights are probably the most useful redemption)
- Earn Loyalty factors: Cardholders earn 1 Loyalty Level for each 1 eligible mile earned from purchases
Sadly, Citi has taken away a lot of the journey and procuring safety advantages they provided on practically all their bank cards.
Moreover, the MileUp card has a 3% overseas transaction price, so you will not need to use it when touring overseas. As a substitute, you could need to contemplate playing cards that provide no overseas transaction charges.
The financial savings on inflight concessions have the potential to be a pleasant little perk do you have to really must buy a snack or meal. As an example, if a household of 4 had two round-trip flights per yr and every purchased a $10 sandwich on board in every course, that household would save $40 annually with the AAdvantage MileUp card. That is not dangerous for a card with no annual price.
Associated: One of the best airline bank cards with inflight reductions
Incomes miles on the AAdvantage MileUp card
That is what you possibly can anticipate 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 companies)
- 1 mile per greenback on all different purchases
It could 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 charge.
Associated: One of the best 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 will also be used on Oneworld and nonalliance companions, equivalent to Etihad, Air Tahiti Nui and Japan Airways. I get pleasure from redeeming AAdvantage miles with Oneworld associate airways, equivalent 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 vehicles
- Lodge stays
- Charities
Nonetheless, non-flight redemptions nearly at all times present a poor redemption charge.
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 if in case you have a giant journey in thoughts for the longer term.
Whereas we do not advocate hoarding factors and miles (they are often devalued at any time), you would spend years racking up AAdvantage miles and redeem them anytime, as long as you are utilizing the cardboard infrequently.
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 desire extra advantages: The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Choose® World Elite Mastercard® comes with an introductory $0 annual price (then $99 per yr). Advantages embrace a primary free checked bag (for you and as much as 4 companions on the identical reservation), no overseas 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 desire elite advantages with American Airways: The Citi® / AAdvantage® Govt World Elite Mastercard® (see charges and costs) comes with an Admirals Membership membership, supplying you with entry to just about 100 Admirals Membership and associate lounges worldwide. Cardholders even have the power to carry as much as two visitors after they have a same-day boarding cross for American or one among its companions. You may additionally get precedence check-in and boarding. To study extra, learn our full evaluation of the Citi / AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard.
- If you happen to desire United: The United Gateway℠ Card is the no-annual-fee possibility for United flyers. This card has a greater rewards charge than most of its opponents for journey, gasoline and transit purchases. You possibly can obtain 25% again on United inflight and United Membership premium drink purchases with this card, a strong profit for a no-annual-fee product. To study extra, learn our full evaluation of the United Gateway Card.
For added choices, try our full checklist of the greatest 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 most likely is not the cardboard for you if you need 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 is usually a useful rewards starter card.
Backside line
If you wish to earn standing and miles sooner with American Airways, the AAdvantage MileUp card could possibly be an excellent begin. The shortage of an annual price makes it excellent for many who do not journey typically sufficient to justify paying one. The AAdvantage MileUp additionally has a strong earnings charge 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 provides extra profitable perks or journey rewards, there are higher choices accessible.
Associated: 7 of the perfect starter journey bank cards
