Citi Secures Exclusive Rights for American Airlines Cards

American Airlines and Citi have announced a ten-year extension of their co-branded credit card partnership. Under this agreement, Citi will become the sole issuer of the AAdvantage® co-branded card portfolio in the U.S. starting in 2026. This move is expected to enhance loyalty and rewards programs for both AAdvantage® members and Citi cardholders.

As part of this partnership, which has lasted for over 37 years, Citi will acquire Barclays' American Airlines co-branded card portfolio. It is anticipated that the transition for Barclays cardholders to Citi will maintain the current level of benefits until the change in 2026. Additional details regarding the transition will be disclosed in the coming months.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed pride in the airline's pioneering efforts regarding loyalty programs and co-branded credit cards, highlighting the strength of the partnership with Citi to provide quality products and services. He foresees that the expanded partnership will bring new benefits and value to customers.

Citi CEO Jane Fraser emphasized the importance of the partnership in delivering excellence to customers and expressed excitement about elevating the relationship with new loyalty and reward offerings. This alignment is expected to create more opportunities for welcoming new cardholders and enhancing relationships with existing ones.

The Citi®/AAdvantage® card portfolio offers a range of products catering to different fee levels, including the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card, Citi®/AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, and Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. There is also a business card option available.

This exclusive agreement will allow Citi to manage all customer acquisition channels for American Airlines, including in-flight and airport locations. This move is aimed at driving growth for Citi's Branded Cards business and U.S. Personal Banking.