A major change is coming for American Airlines credit card holders. Beginning April 24, 2026, all existing AAdvantage credit cards currently issued by Barclays will officially transition to Citi as part of American Airlines’ move to a single exclusive card issuer.
This conversion will happen automatically, meaning cardholders do not need to apply for a new card or take any action for the switch to occur.
What Happens During the Transition
The conversion process is expected to take place over a weekend in late April. While your account is being migrated, online access may be temporarily unavailable. However, your existing card should continue to work for purchases until your new Citi-issued card arrives.
Once the transition is complete, Citi will issue replacement cards with new account numbers and updated branding.
How Existing Barclays Cards Will Convert
Each Barclays AAdvantage card will map to a comparable Citi AAdvantage product. In most cases, the annual fee tier and core earning structure will remain consistent with what cardholders already have.
This means:
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Entry-level cards move to Citi’s no-annual-fee options
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Mid-tier cards convert to Citi AAdvantage Platinum-style products
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Premium and business cards transition into Citi’s higher-end AAdvantage lineup
Miles, Loyalty Points, and Benefits
Your AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points remain fully intact throughout the transition. Nothing is lost during the conversion.
In the short term, cardholders will retain many legacy Barclays perks. Over time, Citi-specific benefits will be added based on the card you are converted into. Earning on American Airlines purchases and everyday spending continues without interruption.
What Cardholders Should Do Now
At this stage, no immediate action is required. You can continue using your Barclays-issued card as usual. Once your Citi replacement card arrives:
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Activate it promptly
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Update any recurring payments with the new card number
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Review Citi’s benefits to ensure you’re maximizing value
Bottom Line
This transition marks the end of Barclays-issued AAdvantage cards and the beginning of Citi as the sole credit card partner of American Airlines. For most cardholders, the change should be smooth, with miles protected and benefits continuing under Citi’s program.
If you currently hold an AAdvantage card, this is a good time to review your overall credit card strategy and plan ahead for the switch.
