Barclaycard AAdvantage Mastercard full review
If your travel is not frequent enough to justify a membership, refer to our review of this card and form your own opinions!
Discover the Features of the Barclaycard AAdvantage Mastercard
The Barclaycard AAdvantage Mastercard is a co-branded credit card designed for frequent flyers of American Airlines. With an annual fee of $99, this card offers various benefits to enhance your travel experience.
One of the main features of this card is its earning potential. Cardholders earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on qualified purchases from American Airlines, and 1 mile for every dollar spent on other transactions. This allows you to accumulate miles quickly and redeem them for flights and other rewards.
In addition to the earning potential, the card also offers a generous welcome bonus. When you make your first purchase within the first 90 days and pay your annual fee, you will receive 60,000 bonus miles. This is a great way to boost your mileage balance right from the start.
For those looking to transfer balances, the card offers a 0% APR for the first 15 months. This is applicable to balance transfers made within 45 days after account opening. After the introductory period, the APR varies depending on your creditworthiness.
The benefits of the Barclaycard AAdvantage Mastercard extend beyond earning miles. Cardholders receive perks such as 25% off in-flight purchases, an auto rental collision damage waiver, and trip cancellation and interruption insurance. Additionally, you and up to four other passengers on your reservation can enjoy a free checked bag and priority boarding.
With all these features, the Barclaycard AAdvantage Mastercard is a valuable tool to maximize your travel rewards and enhance your travel experience with American Airlines.
Understanding How the Barclaycard AAdvantage Mastercard Works
The Barclaycard AAdvantage Mastercard is designed to reward you for your spending on American Airlines. When you use the card for qualified purchases on the airline, you earn 2 miles for every dollar spent. For all other transactions, you earn 1 mile per dollar.
Additionally, the card offers a program called Flight Cents, where your purchases are rounded up to the next dollar. You can then use these extra cents to buy AAdvantage miles at a rate of 1 mile for every 2 cents. While this may not always provide the best value, it can be a convenient way to boost your mileage balance.
As a welcome bonus, the Barclaycard AAdvantage Mastercard provides 50,000 miles when you make your first purchase within the first 90 days. This bonus miles can be a significant boost to your mileage balance right from the start.
Redeeming Your AAdvantage Miles
When you’re ready to use your AAdvantage miles, you can easily redeem them for flights on American Airlines. Simply log into your account on the American Airlines website and search for flights with the “Redeem Miles” checkbox checked.
American Airlines publishes a reward chart, which shows you how many miles a specific flight will cost. For example, a MileSAAver economy class ticket within the contiguous 48 U.S. states and Canada can be purchased for 25,000 miles roundtrip. You can add Mexico for just 5,000 more roundtrip miles.
For longer trips, such as a roundtrip MileSAAver economy class ticket to Europe from the United States, you can use the welcome bonus miles (plus taxes and fees) to cover the cost. This makes it easier to plan and save for your dream vacation.
American Airlines also offers web specials, which are discounted economy class prices for select city pairs on specific days. These can be a great value for redeeming your AAdvantage miles, with some flights available for as low as 5,000 miles.
It’s important to note that these web specials may involve longer routes or layovers, so be sure to check the details before booking.
American Airlines has also made it easier to redeem your AAdvantage miles for trips on its partner airlines, such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and Qatar. You can book awards on these partners directly through the American Airlines website.
The Potential Savings with the Barclaycard AAdvantage Mastercard
By using the Barclaycard AAdvantage Mastercard for your everyday expenses, you can earn a significant amount of miles each year. For example, a household with an annual income of $107,908 and $32,072 in credit card expenses can earn approximately 35,112 miles per year, including the welcome bonus.
With this mileage balance, you can save on future flights and other travel expenses. Based on our calculations, this can translate to approximately $351.11 in cashback value.
Benefits of the Barclaycard AAdvantage Mastercard
The Barclaycard AAdvantage Mastercard comes with various benefits that make it a valuable choice for travelers. Some of these benefits include:
- Earning an amazing welcome bonus
- No international transaction fees
- A free certificate for a new companion
- Additional flight advantages with American Airlines
How to Apply for the Barclaycard AAdvantage Mastercard
If you’re interested in obtaining the Barclaycard AAdvantage Mastercard, you can find detailed instructions in our article on how to apply for this amazing card. Take advantage of the benefits and start earning miles towards your next adventure with American Airlines!
