The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp℠ Card operates similarly to other entry-level travel rewards cards, but it’s specifically designed for those who frequently shop for groceries or fly with American Airlines.
Every purchase made on the card earns you AAdvantage® miles, which can be redeemed for American Airlines flights or other travel-related expenses.
With the 2X miles on grocery store purchases, this card maximizes rewards on one of the most common spending categories.
Additionally, cardholders earn 1X mile per dollar on all other purchases, providing value even for non-travel-related spending.
Earning and Redeeming Miles
One of the key features of this card is its ability to earn AAdvantage® miles on various purchases.
These miles can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including award flights with American Airlines, seat upgrades, hotel stays, and even vacation packages through American Airlines Vacations.
The miles are flexible and can be used on American Airlines flights, or even with Oneworld® alliance members, offering significant flexibility for travelers.
In addition to flights, cardholders can redeem miles for car rentals, hotel bookings, and other travel expenses, making the card valuable beyond just flight rewards.
Miles do not expire as long as you make at least one qualifying transaction within 18 months, which adds to the flexibility for users.
How to Maximize Rewards
- Groceries and American Airlines Purchases: Since the card offers 2X miles per dollar on grocery store purchases and American Airlines flights, it’s beneficial to use this card for grocery shopping and all your American Airlines bookings to maximize miles.
- Booking Flights: Make sure to use the AAdvantage® MileUp℠ Card to book your flights with American Airlines, so you earn 2X miles for each booking. Additionally, consider booking directly through the American Airlines website to ensure you earn maximum rewards.
- Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees: While this card has a 3% foreign transaction fee, try to avoid using it abroad to minimize the extra cost. For international purchases, consider a card that does not charge foreign transaction fees.
- Use the 25% In-Flight Discount: Take advantage of the 25% in-flight discount when purchasing food, beverages, or Wi-Fi on American Airlines flights. This can help reduce your in-flight expenses and make your travel experience more affordable.
Additional Rewards and Features
In addition to earning miles and the 25% in-flight discount, the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp℠ Card also offers several Mastercard® benefits, such as:
- Extended Warranty Protection: This feature extends the manufacturer’s warranty on purchases made with your card.
- Purchase Protection: If your purchase is damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase, you may be reimbursed for up to a certain amount, depending on the situation.
- Travel Assistance Services: Cardholders have access to a range of travel-related services, including assistance in case of emergencies, helping you navigate unexpected travel issues.
Why Choose the AAdvantage® MileUp℠ Card?
The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp℠ Card stands out because of its no annual fee, making it a fantastic option for occasional travelers who want to earn AAdvantage® miles without the extra cost of premium travel rewards cards.
The card is also great for budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards for groceries and American Airlines flights.
With grocery store bonus categories and reward opportunities for in-flight purchases, the card helps travelers earn valuable miles in everyday situations.
If you’re new to travel rewards or prefer not to commit to a more expensive card, this card is an excellent entry point.
It provides great earning potential on groceries, plus the ability to earn miles for your travel expenses, all with no annual fee.
Fees and charges
Late Payment: Up to $41;
Returned payment: Up to $41;
● APR: 20.24% - 29.24%;
● Balance Transfer Fee: either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer;
● Cash Advance: either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance.
Expert review
The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp℠ Card is an excellent choice for casual travelers and frequent shoppers at grocery stores.
With 2X miles on grocery purchases and American Airlines flights, it provides a great way to accumulate miles for travel rewards.
The no annual fee is a standout feature, making it ideal for those new to rewards cards or those who don’t want to pay for premium benefits.
While it lacks some of the high-end travel perks, like priority boarding, it offers strong value with AAdvantage® miles and useful in-flight discounts.
You will remain on this site
+Positive points
- 2X miles on grocery store purchases, helping to accumulate miles faster.
- 2X miles on American Airlines purchases, allowing you to earn miles on flights and related purchases.
- No annual fee, making it an excellent choice for those who want to start earning miles without extra costs.
- Offers discounts on in-flight purchases and other American Airlines products, saving you money on flights.
- Ability to earn AAdvantage® miles, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel benefits.
- Negative points
- Does not offer benefits like VIP lounge access or priority boarding, which are common in higher-tier cards.
- Does not provide significant rewards in categories other than groceries and American Airlines purchases, limiting its value in other spending areas.
- The miles earnings may be lower compared to premium rewards cards in other categories.
