American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card: AA’s No-Annual-Fee Card Is Also No Frills

The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card is great for AA travelers on a budget who frequently shop for groceries. This card lets you earn double the miles in supermarkets and on American Airlines purchases, plus 15,000 bonus miles after spending $500 in the first three months.

However, the AA MileUp card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee. If you are using the card while traveling, you might find the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard more rewarding despite the $99 annual fee (and the long, complex name).

The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card is a smart pick for budget-conscious travelers who want to earn miles without paying an annual fee. Whether you're stocking up on groceries or booking a flight, you'll earn 2X miles per dollar spent. It’s great for occasional flyers who love practical rewards from their everyday spending.

Other valuable features include Citi Concierge service and 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases, adding a little extra convenience for your travels. The card does come with a few drawbacks, like a 3% foreign transaction fee and no free checked bags. Unlike other AA cards, the AA MileUp® card doesn’t offer free checked bags or airport lounge access. However, if you’re focused on earning miles without the commitment of an annual fee, it’s a solid choice compared to the pricier AA cards.

The AA MileUp card offers a straightforward rewards program, summarized below:

• 2X AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services
• 2X AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
• 1X AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on all other purchases

Redemption Options

When redeeming your miles, award flights on American Airlines and its Oneworld partners typically offer the most value, letting you stretch your miles further. Beyond flights, you can use your miles for upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays and vacation packages to diversify your travel lifestyle. Your miles never expire, providing the freedom to plan your redemptions without the pressure of a ticking clock.

For more detailed information, visit the AAdvantage Program page.

Compared to other cards in the same category, the AA MileUp Card may fall short due to its limited bonus categories and lack of travel perks, making it a good but not necessarily the best option for maximizing rewards on everyday spending and travel. Its benefits include:

Sign-Up Bonus: You can earn 15,000 bonus miles after spending $500 in the first three months. This generous sign-up bonus can give you a head start on earning miles, especially considering the card has no annual fee.

Inflight Savings: Enjoy a 25% discount on inflight food and beverage purchases, making your flights more affordable.

Citi Concierge Service: Access 24/7 concierge services for booking restaurants, gift shopping and more.

Loyalty Points: Earn one loyalty point for every eligible mile spent, helping you achieve elite status with American Airlines and unlock additional benefits.

Consider the following downsides of the AA MileUp Card as you weigh your decision:

Foreign Transaction Fees: If you frequently travel internationally, the 3% foreign transaction fee can quickly add up, making your trips more expensive. Consider a card with no foreign transaction fees if you often travel abroad.

No Free Checked Bags: Unlike some other airline credit cards, the MileUp card does not offer free checked bags. This can be a significant drawback for families or frequent flyers who often check luggage since baggage fees add up fast. If you're looking for a more cost-effective option that offers this perk, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® could be a better fit, as it includes free checked bags and additional travel benefits while still maintaining a relatively low annual fee.

Limited Rewards Flexibility: The rewards earned with this travel card are primarily geared towards American Airlines flights and related expenses. If you prefer more flexible rewards that you can use for a variety of travel expenses or cash back, you might want to explore other options.

The AA MileUp® Card has no annual fee and offers 25% inflight savings, but it falls short compared to the Citi AA Platinum Select. Suppose you prioritize an entry-level card with no annual fee and your spending is concentrated on groceries and occasional AA flights —the AA MileUp® Card is a cost-effective choice despite its drawbacks. However, the Citi AA Platinum Select card offers 3X miles per $1 on dining, gas and AA purchases, a 60,000-mile intro bonus and no foreign transaction fees, though it has a $99 annual fee (waived for the first year).

Now, if you’re after a travel card with robust travel rewards while still providing strong earning potential on grocery spending, consider the Citi Strata Premier® Card. It offers 3X points per dollar on groceries, dining, gas stations, air travel and hotels. There’s also a generous sign-up bonus and no foreign transaction fees that go with it, making it a well-rounded, travel-friendly option.

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card can also work if paired with another card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. This American Airlines travel card offers 2X miles per dollar on groceries and American Airlines purchases, which is good for those specific spending categories.

Meanwhile, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® provides 1.5% cash back on all other purchases, complementing the MileUp card's limited bonus categories. This pairing allows you to maximize rewards on both travel-related and everyday expenses without paying any annual fees.

The AA MileUp Card is ideal for budget-conscious travelers who fly American Airlines occasionally and frequently shop for groceries. With no annual fee and 2X miles per $1 spent on groceries and eligible AA purchases, it offers solid value for everyday spending while jet-setting off to somewhere new. If you need more comprehensive travel benefits with free checked bags and priority boarding, consider airline cards with no foreign transaction fees and travel rewards cards with additional travel perks.

We evaluated the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card by reviewing 41 cards and focusing on key metrics. The evaluation included the following weighted criteria:

• Expected Value for Travelers (40%): Measures the expected monetary value of rewards and perks less the annual fees for a frequent traveler.
• Airline Scope (20%): Rates the number of destinations and the geographic reach of the airline, with a higher score meaning broader travel options.
• Offer ROI (15%): Assesses the return on investment from the card's introductory offer, including bonuses and promotions.
• Traveler Airline Rewards (10%): Measures the earning rate of rewards specifically for airline travel, making it essential for frequent flyers.
• Issuer Satisfaction (5%): Based on J.D. Power's issuer satisfaction study, reflecting customer satisfaction with the card issuer.
• Recommended Credit (5%): Reflects the credit score needed to qualify for the card, with a higher rating indicating a more accessible credit requirement.
• Penalties (5%): Indicates the presence of penalty rates and fees, such as late payment fees or penalty APRs, with a higher rating meaning fewer penalties.

All information about the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by Moneygeek.com. The issuer did not provide the content, nor is it responsible for its accuracy.