American Airlines and Citi have announced a decade-long extension of their 37-year co-branded partnership, marking a significant milestone for both companies. Starting in 2026, Citi will become the exclusive issuer of the AAdvantage® co-branded card portfolio in the U.S., enabling a closer collaboration to deliver enhanced value to AAdvantage® co-branded and Citi-branded cardmembers.
“American is proud to have launched the first airline loyalty program, and with Citi, the travel industry’s first co-branded credit card,” said Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines. “This expanded partnership will unlock even more value and exciting new benefits for our customers.”
As part of this agreement, Citi will acquire the Barclays American Airlines co-branded card portfolio, transitioning those cardmembers into the Citi portfolio in 2026. During the transition, Barclays cardmembers will continue to enjoy their current benefits, with additional details to be shared in the coming months. This acquisition will combine the strengths of both portfolios, accelerating the growth of Citi’s Branded Cards and U.S. Personal Banking businesses.
The partnership also includes a new alignment between Citi ThankYou and AAdvantage® card programs, designed to deliver greater value for cardmembers. This innovative integration aims to significantly enhance loyalty and rewards offerings for AAdvantage® members while broadening Citi’s reach in the travel and rewards sector. As the exclusive issuer, Citi will manage all American Airlines card acquisition channels, including inflight and airport opportunities.
“American Airlines and Citi have built something truly special together,” said Jane Fraser, CEO of Citi. “Through this expanded partnership, we’re creating new opportunities to welcome cardmembers, strengthen our relationships with existing ones, and make our co-branded card a favorite in everyone’s wallet.”
The Citi®/AAdvantage® card portfolio currently includes options across no-annual-fee, mid-tier, and premium categories, such as the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card, the Citi®/AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, and the Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. Additionally, the portfolio offers the Citi®/AAdvantage® Business™ World Elite Mastercard® tailored for business owners.
This extended partnership underscores the shared commitment of Citi and American Airlines to deliver unparalleled travel and rewards experiences, positioning both companies for continued growth in the competitive loyalty space.