American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
vs. FRONTIER Airlines World Mastercard®

The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card and the FRONTIER Airlines World Mastercard® are co-branded airline cards, making them suitable for travelers looking to earn miles. The AA MileUp card is the better choice for those prioritizing grocery rewards and no annual fee. It offers 2X miles on groceries and American Airlines purchases, with a low spending requirement for its sign-up bonus.

However, the FRONTIER Airlines World should be considered for its high rewards on Frontier purchases and no foreign transaction fees, despite its $99 annual fee after the first year.

The AA MileUp is better for individuals who frequently shop for groceries and occasionally fly with American Airlines. It offers 2X miles on grocery and American Airlines purchases without an annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for budget-conscious travelers. However, due to its foreign transaction fees, it may not suit those who frequently travel internationally.

The FRONTIER Airlines World is better for frequent Frontier flyers who want to maximize rewards on their travel expenses. It offers 5X miles on Frontier purchases and 3X miles on dining, making it attractive for those who dine out often. The card also provides perks like priority boarding and no foreign transaction fees. However, its $99 annual fee after the first year may not suit those who don't fly Frontier regularly.

Point-by-point comparisons of APRs, fees, rewards and other features help you see how each card fits your needs. For instance, if you spend heavily on groceries, the AA MileUp offers 2X miles, while FRONTIER Airlines World focuses on 5X miles for Frontier purchases.

In terms of rewards value, the AA MileUp card offers a slightly higher value per mile, with AAdvantage miles valued at approximately 1.6 cents. In contrast, Frontier Miles are valued at 1 cent each. This makes the AA MileUp card more rewarding for those who frequently shop for groceries or fly with American Airlines.

For those indifferent to the airline brands, the FRONTIER Airlines World card provides higher rewards rates on specific categories like dining and Frontier purchases. This could be beneficial if your spending aligns with these categories.

The table below summarizes the bonus categories for each card, allowing you to assess which card best aligns with your spending habits.

The AA MileUp card offers flexibility for redeeming rewards with AAdvantage miles. You can use them for flights, upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays or vacation packages. With no expiration mentioned, these miles provide a stable option for frequent American Airlines travelers.

The FRONTIER Airlines World card allows you to redeem Frontier Miles for award tickets and magazines. However, be mindful of redemption fees for award tickets, which you can avoid by booking well in advance. The limited redemption options outside of Frontier may restrict flexibility for some users.

The Frontier Airlines World card offers superior value for perks, particularly for travelers who fly a few times a year. Its $100 flight voucher and priority boarding are valuable benefits. The AA MileUp card provides loyalty points for status seekers and inflight discounts, but its perks are less impactful overall.

Status

• Earn one loyalty point for every eligible mile spent

Credits & Discounts

• 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights when you use your card

All Other Perks

• No limit to the number of AAdvantage® miles you can earn

Travel Perks

• Priority boarding
• Award redemption fee waiver reduces costs when booking award tickets

Credits & Discounts

• $100 Frontier Airlines flight voucher available annually after meeting spending requirements

MoneyGeek's scoring process evaluates each card based on multiple use cases, ensuring the scores reflect the cards' strengths. In this comparison, the scores shown represent the best performance of each card in the "Airline" category. Several factors determine this score:

• Expected value for travelers: Measures the monetary value of rewards and perks minus the annual fees for frequent travelers.
• Airline scope: Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to, which helps inform the breadth of travel options for the airline program.
• Introductory offer ROI value: Assesses the return on investment (ROI) from the card's sign-up bonus.
• Airline rewards rate for travelers: Evaluates the rewards earned on airline expenditures for frequent travelers.
• Issuer satisfaction: Based on customer satisfaction ratings from studies like J.D. Power.
• Foreign transaction fees: Rates the card's fees for international transactions.
• Recommended credit: Indicates the credit score range required for approval.

For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.