Citi reached an agreement to acquire the Barclays American Airlines co-branded card portfolio toward the end of 2024, and we’re finally starting to see the transition take shape.
You still have over two months, as the official date for the cards to switch over isn’t until late April 2026. Until then, you can continue to use your Barclays-issued Aviator Mastercards as you would normally, earning rewards and making progress toward other bonuses.
Only AAdvantage cards currently issued by Barclays are affected. While the card transition is automatic, you may still need to complete some setup. CNBC Select covers which cards will be affected and the changes you can expect.
Citi becomes sole issuer of AAdvantage cards
Barclays became a joint issuer of American Airlines credit cards after the airline’s merger with US Airways in 2013. After 13 years, Citi will once again be the sole issuer of the AAdvantage line of credit cards, officially transitioning Barclays cardmembers to Citi on April 24, 2026.
Citi will begin sending out the new cards on April 27, but your current Aviator cards will continue to function normally until then.
Which Barclays AAdvantage cards are affected?
If you have an AAdvantage Aviator card issued by Barclays, you’ll be affected by these changes. Barclays will no longer issue American Airlines cards, and you will be transitioned to one of the current Citi offerings:
Barclays to Citi AAdvantage® Card Transition
| Current Barclays Card | Transitioned Citi® / AAdvantage® card |
|---|---|
| AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Mastercard | American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Mastercard |
| AAdvantage® Aviator® Blue World Elite Mastercard | Citi® / AAdvantage® Gold World Elite Mastercard® |
| AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard | Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® |
| AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver World Elite Mastercard | Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® |
| AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard | Citi® / AAdvantage® Business World Elite Mastercard® |
Source: Citi
What to expect during the transition
Your cardmember anniversary date will remain the same, and any changes to an annual fee will apply at your next account anniversary. The Citi credit card that you receive will have a different card and account number, so you’ll need to update any subscriptions or services that are billed to your Barclays card.
Your current credit limit will carry over to your new Citi card, but it may be adjusted over time based on Citi’s practices. If you are not currently a Citi customer, you can register for a Citi Online profile starting April 27, 2026. If you already have Citi Online access, you can link your Barclays Mastercard to your existing profile. Note, any authorized user cards for the phased-out Barclays cards will automatically be mailed to the primary cardholder’s address.
In the rare case that you own both a Barclays card and the card you would be transitioned to, a Citi spokesperson confirmed to CNBC Select that members will be transitioned to a comparable Citi® / AAdvantage® card and that cardholders can contact Citi to discuss available options.
A closer look at Citi AAdvantage cards
Barclays cardmembers transitioning to Citi will receive enhanced benefits, including some “limited-time legacy benefits.” These are select benefits carried over from certain Barclays cards that Citi will continue to honor until it provides advance notice of any changes. While these benefits may be useful in the short term, Citi may adjust or phase them out in the future.
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Mastercard
In addition to its current benefits, like 25% on in-flight food and beverage purchases, the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Mastercard will also gain perks like 2X AAdvantage® miles on eligible American Airlines purchases and at grocery stores (including grocery delivery services). The card has a $0 annual fee, and you can add authorized users for no additional cost.
The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card has no annual fee, so it’s a good option if you only occasionally fly with American Airlines and need to keep your miles from expiring.
- No annual fee
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- Has a foreign transaction fee
- No free checked bags on American Airlines flights
Rewards
- 2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and at grocery stores (including grocery delivery services), earn 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases
- 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
Balance transfer fee
5% or $5, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
Citi® / AAdvantage® Gold World Elite Mastercard®
While the Citi® / AAdvantage® Gold World Elite Mastercard® is technically no longer available to new applicants, users of the Avaiator Blue card can still be transitioned to it. You’ll continue to enjoy many of the same previous benefits; however, the 2X AAdvantage® miles on eligible American Airlines purchases is marked as a legacy benefit.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Barclays perks, like up to $25 back on in-flight Wi-Fi purchases each year and the companion certificate for converted accounts, will be legacy benefits that could change in the future.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is worth considering if you fly with American Airlines once or twice a year because you’ll get your first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries.
- First checked bag free on eligible American Airlines flights for the cardholder and up to four travel companions on the same reservation
- No Foreign transaction fees
- Preferred boarding
- American Airlines Flight Discount has a high spending requirement
- Has an annual fee
Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®
Perks like 2X AAdvantage miles on hotels and car rentals and up to 15,000 additional Loyalty Points after qualifying spending will be labeled as legacy benefits, so they might not stick around forever.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Business World Elite Mastercard®
With the Citi® / AAdvantage® Business World Elite Mastercard® many of your existing benefits will continue, including 2X AAdvantage miles on car rentals and eligible telecommunication services, first checked bag free and preferred boarding. You’ll gain 2X AAdvantage miles at gas stations and eligible cable and satellite providers, but legacy features like 5% American Airlines mileage bonus and the companion certificate for Barclays converted accounts.
The legacy features being carried over, for at least a limited time, include the 5% American Airlines mileage bonus, 2X AAdvantage miles on office supplies and the companion certificate for Barclays accounts.
The Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® can help you qualify for AAdvantage® status more easily by turning your business expenses into AAdvantage® miles and Loyalty Points.
- First checked bag free on eligible American Airlines flights for the cardholder and up to four travel companions on the same reservation
- 25% savings on select inflight Wi-Fi and food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights when you use your card
- Preferred boarding
- Annual companion certificate has a high spending requirement
- Has an annual fee
Rewards
- Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations
- 1 AAdvantage® mile per $1 spent on other purchases
- 1 Loyalty Point for every $1 spent on your business card purchases
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