Card Optimizer

Best credit card for American Airlines

We ranked all 106 cards in Card Optimizer's catalog for a $100 purchase at American Airlines on October 19, 2026, by the dollar value of what each earns.

See which of your cards wins at American Airlines

Top cards at American Airlines

American Airlines counts as airfare unless a card has a bonus for the store itself.

  1. American Express Platinum Card

    Top pick7.5% back · $895 annual fee

    $7.50 on $100

    • 5x points on airfare.
    • 500 Amex Membership Rewards points valued at 1.5¢ each.
    • The bonus rate covers up to $500,000 of spend a year.

  2. Chase Sapphire Reserve

    6% back · $795 annual fee

    $6.00 on $100

    • 4x points on airfare.
    • 400 Chase Ultimate Rewards points valued at 1.5¢ each.

  3. Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business

    6% back · $795 annual fee

    $6.00 on $100

    • 4x points on airfare.
    • 400 Chase Ultimate Rewards points valued at 1.5¢ each.

  4. Citi AAdvantage Executive

    5.6% back · $695 annual fee

    $5.60 on $100

    • 4x points at American Airlines.
    • 400 American AAdvantage miles valued at 1.4¢ each.

  5. Chase Aeroplan

    4.5% back · $195 annual fee

    $4.50 on $100

    • 3x points on travel (includes airfare).
    • 300 Aeroplan points valued at 1.5¢ each.

  6. American Express Gold Card

    4.5% back · $325 annual fee

    $4.50 on $100

    • 3x points on airfare.
    • 300 Amex Membership Rewards points valued at 1.5¢ each.

  7. Chase Ink Business Preferred

    4.5% back · $95 annual fee

    $4.50 on $100

    • 3x points on travel (includes airfare).
    • 300 Chase Ultimate Rewards points valued at 1.5¢ each.
    • The bonus rate covers up to $150,000 of spend a year.

  8. Citi Strata Premier

    4.2% back · $95 annual fee

    $4.20 on $100

    • 3x points on airfare.
    • 300 Citi ThankYou points valued at 1.4¢ each.

  9. Barclays Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus

    4% back · $95 annual fee

    $4.00 on $100

    • 4x points on travel (includes airfare).
    • 400 Wyndham Rewards points valued at 1¢ each.

  10. Navy Federal Visa Signature Flagship Rewards

    4% back · $95 annual fee

    $4.00 on $100

    • 4x points on travel (includes airfare).
    • 400 Navy Federal Rewards points valued at 1¢ each.