There is a huge transition coming on the earth of bank cards, particularly for these of us who’re deeply invested within the American Airways AAdvantage ecosystem: In late April, all American Airways-branded Barclays playing cards will convert to Citi bank cards.
The airline will totally transition the American Airways bank card program to Citi on April 24. Which means huge modifications for any Barclays AAdvantage Aviator playing cards chances are you’ll maintain.
Barclays used to have a number of playing cards below its AAdvantage Aviator portfolio. In truth, I’ve two Barclays AAdvantage playing cards that I’ve used for a few years.
This portfolio of playing cards has been key to my technique for reaching elite standing with American Airways and its Loyalty Factors program.
Since I wrote about the transition and talked about my historical past with these playing cards, a number of readers have been asking me what I will do with the playing cards now. Since Citi has shared particulars on the destiny of the Barclays playing cards, I believed I would share my pondering.
AAdvantage Aviator Silver
I’ve lengthy held the (not obtainable) AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Silver Mastercard®.
The knowledge for the Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
It has one in all my favourite options: a shortcut to standing. You may earn as much as 15,000 Loyalty Factors after qualifying spending every standing qualification interval. You obtain 5,000 Loyalty Factors for spending $20,000 on the cardboard, one other 5,000 Loyalty Factors for spending $40,000 and one more 5,000 Loyalty Factors if you happen to hit $50,000 in spending every year on the cardboard.
That helped me earn top-tier AAdvantage Executive Platinum status once more this 12 months.
Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day publication
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
I used to be anxious that perk would go away, however there’s excellent news: It is sticking round… a minimum of for now.
Citi instructed TPG that legacy Aviator cardholders will preserve the advantages from the previous playing cards “for a restricted time,” although we do not know the way lengthy that would be the case. Higher but? Cardholders will inherit a number of the advantages from the brand new Citi playing cards they are going to be mapped to.
As you’ll be able to see within the e-mail I acquired from Citi, my Barclays Aviator will develop into a Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (see rates and fees).
What does this imply for my Aviator Silver card?
It’s going to preserve my favourite perks: As much as 15,000 further Loyalty Points as I hit sure spending thresholds that I discussed above, $50 annual inflight Wi-Fi credit and a $99 companion certificates for 2 friends after spending $20,000 in a membership 12 months.
AAdvantage Globe
On high of sustaining Aviator Silver perks for a while, I will get added perks that include the Citi / AAdvantage Globe, together with 4 Admirals Membership Globe lounge passes every calendar 12 months and 5,000 bonus Loyalty Factors after each 4 qualifying American flights (as much as 15,000 Loyalty Factors).
However the AAdvantage Globe card additionally comes with extra perks that Citi has confirmed Aviator Silver cardholders will obtain. One in all these is a $100 annual Splurge Credit score, which can be utilized at as much as two taking part retailers, akin to AAdvantage Motels, Future Private Coaching or Reside Nation. (Exclusions apply.)
You may additionally stand up to $100 in assertion credit for inflight purchases (issues like snack containers or inflight Wi-Fi) on American Airways flights.
AAdvantage Globe cardholders additionally earn bonus miles in additional classes, together with 6 miles per greenback spent on American Airways AAdvantage Lodge bookings and a pair of miles per greenback spent on eating places. Transitioned cardholders may also get these further spend classes.
Sadly, those that transition from the Aviator Silver to the AAdvantage Globe will miss out on its limited-time welcome provide.
Proper now, new Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard candidates can earn a limited-time welcome bonus of 90,000 miles after spending $5,000 within the first 4 months of account opening.
These miles are value $1,530 primarily based on TPG’s February 2026 valuations.
So what’s my technique right here? I will open the Globe card proper now, so I can get that beneficiant welcome bonus. As soon as my Aviator Silver card converts, I’ll have two Globe playing cards, and I will reassess whether or not or to not preserve each of them as soon as the annual charges hit.
Preserving the advantages of the Aviator card on my new Globe card will proceed to assist me earn top-tier AAdvantage Executive Platinum status subsequent 12 months. Win-win.
The annual charge for the Aviator Silver card was simply $195, whereas the Globe annual charge of $350 is way increased. We have requested Citi whether or not the transitioned playing cards will obtain the upper annual charge at renewal or can be grandfathered in with the decrease charge. Citi instructed TPG, “Cardmembers will retain their present annual charge for now. Any future modifications can be communicated prematurely of the change.”
There was additionally another excellent news from Citi, which stated any spend a cardholder did when it was a Barclays card would rely to unlock advantages that come after you spend $20,000.
“Appropriate, qualifying spend in your Barclays AAdvantage Aviator card earlier than the conversion will proceed to rely in direction of advantages with a spending requirement, akin to assertion credit and loyalty qualification 12 months advantages. Any future modifications can be communicated prematurely of the change.”
Associated: Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
AAdvantage Aviator Purple
It’s kind of of a distinct story for the no-longer-available AAdvantage® Aviator® Purple World Elite Mastercard®. I additionally maintain this card, which can quickly develop into a Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees).
The knowledge for the AAdvantage Aviator Purple World Elite Mastercard and Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Choose World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Aviator Purple cardholders will proceed to get the advantages of their present card after it transitions to a Citi card (much like the Aviator Silver). That features a $99 (plus tax) home companion certificates after spending $20,000 in a membership 12 months and maintaining your card open for 45 days previous your renewal date, and $25 in annual inflight Wi-Fi assertion credit.
Citi instructed us that, ” … former AAdvantage® Aviator® Purple World Elite Mastercard® cardmembers can nonetheless use the Companion Certificates for a restricted time. Any future modifications can be communicated prematurely of the change.”
Nevertheless it additionally means you may get some extra advantages when it turns right into a Citi card. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose cardholders get a $125 American Airways flight low cost every year they spend $20,000 in a membership 12 months.
Citi instructed TPG:
“Eligible AAdvantage® Aviator® Purple World Elite Mastercard® cardmembers that transition to the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Choose® World Elite Mastercard can earn a $125 American Airways flight low cost certificates after $20,000 whole spend in a cardmembership 12 months and renewing their card.”
AAdvantage Platinum Choose cardholders additionally get 2 miles per greenback spent on eating and gasoline purchases made with the cardboard.
Just like the Aviator Silver transition, Aviator Purple cardholders won’t be eligible for the Platinum Choose’s welcome provide. You’d want to use forward of time for a separate Platinum Choose to get the welcome bonus.
So what does this imply for me, personally?
Since I have already got the Citi Platinum Choose card, I will merely let my Aviator Purple card convert after which determine if it is value it to maintain each playing cards open as soon as the annual charges publish.
Each playing cards have and annual charge of $99 ($0 introductory annual charge for the primary 12 months).
Associated: Best uses of American Airlines AAdvantage miles
Backside line
I’ve selected my technique for my Barclays Aviator playing cards. Principally, I am maintaining each of them and can gladly check out the Citi variations of the playing cards this 12 months. I am thrilled that I will get some new advantages with out shedding any of my previous perks (a minimum of quickly).
I could find yourself with two Citi AAdvantage Globe playing cards and two Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose playing cards if all goes based on plan. I could write a follow-up story on whether or not to shut or preserve these duplicates as soon as I’ve selected my subsequent strikes (and the way a lot I am paying in annual charges).
To study extra, take a look at our full evaluations of the AAdvantage Globe and AAdvantage Platinum Select.
And full particulars on the transition may be discovered at: www.LandingatCiti.com
Associated: The best credit cards to reach elite status
Trending Merchandise
