American Airlines Is Dropping Barclays from its Credit Card Program
by Daniel McCarthy
Photo: American Airlines
American Airlines is moving on from its credit card partnership with Barclays, ditching the bank in favor of a sole partnership with Citigroup starting in 2026. That will make Citigroup the exclusive issuer of the AAdvantage co-branded cards in the U.S. through 2036.
American was light on details on Thursday, but did say in its announcement that Barclays card members “will continue to experience the same benefits they do today.” It’s expected that Barclays AAdvantage cardholders will be transitioned into Citigroup, but American has yet to confirm. American has had a partnership with Barclays since the US Airways merger in 2013.
“More information about the transition will be made available in the coming months,” American said.
As the sole provider, Citi will be able to own all the American Airlines acquisition channels, including inflight and at airports. It will continue to offer its four American-branded credit cards—the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp, the AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, the AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, and the CitiBusiness/AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard.
