American Airlines confirmed that Citi will exclusively issue its AAdvantage credit cards starting in 2026. This announcement ends months of speculation about the airline’s credit card partnerships. For years, American Airlines has worked with both Citi and Barclays after merging with US Airways.
American Airlines and Citi have partnered for 37 years and now extend their relationship for another decade. They plan to boost collaboration, offering more value to AAdvantage cardholders. Citi will integrate its travel rewards cards, increasing benefits for customers across both platforms.
Citi will take over American Airlines’ AAdvantage card portfolio, replacing Barclays. American Airlines aims to make this transition smooth for its customers. The CEO emphasized the strong relationship with Citi, noting the positive impact on both the airline and cardholders.
Cardholders with Barclays-issued cards will still enjoy their benefits for now. However, in 2026, Citi will manage all AAdvantage credit cards. Both American Airlines and Citi highlighted that this agreement will unlock new rewards and exclusive benefits for cardmembers.
This transition marks a new chapter for the loyalty program. The integration with Citi’s banking platform will offer new opportunities. Customers will enjoy more travel benefits through both AAdvantage and Citi’s rewards programs, improving their overall experience.
In the coming months, Citi will start transitioning Barclays cardholders to its new platform. This smooth handover will continue to provide seamless services. As American Airlines looks to the future, the agreement promises to enhance loyalty offerings and strengthen its Citi partnership.
Related stories:
Catch up on the top stories and travel deals by subscribing to our newsletter!
Leave a Reply