The world of credit cards is about to undergo a major shift, especially for those of us deeply invested in the American Airlines AAdvantage ecosystem: In late April, all American Airlines-branded Barclays cards will convert to Citi credit cards.
The airline will fully transition the American Airlines credit card program to Citibank on April 24. This means significant changes to any Barclays AAdvantage Aviator cards you may have.
Barclays used to have several cards in its AAdvantage Aviator portfolio. In fact, I have two Barclays AAdvantage cards that I have used for many years.
This card combination was critical to my strategy for achieving elite status with American Airlines and their loyalty points program.
Since I wrote about the transition and mentioned my history with these cards, some readers have been asking me what I will do with these cards now. Since Citi has shared details about the fate of the Barclays card, I thought I’d share my thoughts.
AAdvantage Pilot Silver
I have long held (no longer available) the AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Silver Mastercard®.
Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard information is independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
It has one of my favorite features: status shortcuts. You can earn up to 15,000 loyalty points per qualifying period. If you spend $20,000 on the card, you’ll earn 5,000 loyalty points; if you spend $40,000 on the card, you’ll earn 5,000 loyalty points; and if you spend $50,000 on the card annually, you’ll earn 5,000 loyalty points.
This helped me achieve top AAdvantage Executive Platinum status again this year.
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I was worried that the benefit would disappear, but there’s good news: It’s still here…at least for now.
Citi told TPG that legacy Aviator cardholders will retain the benefits of their old cards “for a limited time,” although we don’t know how long that will last. Are you okay? Cardholders will inherit some of the benefits of the new Citi card they are mapped to.
As you can see in the email I received from Citi, my Barclays pilot will be Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (See Rates and Fees).
What does this mean for my Silver Pilot Card?
It will keep my favorite perks: up to 15,000 additional loyalty points when I hit certain spending thresholds mentioned above; $50 in inflight Wi-Fi credit per year and a $99 companion certificate for two guests after spending $20,000 in a membership year.
AAdvantage Global
In addition to maintaining Pilot Silver privileges for a period of time, I will also receive Citi/AAdvantage Globeincludes four Admirals Club Globe lounge passes per calendar year and 5,000 loyalty points awarded after every four qualifying U.S. flights (up to a maximum of 15,000 loyalty points).
But the AAdvantage Globe card also comes with additional benefits that Citi confirmed Aviator Silver cardholders will receive. One of them is a $100 annual Splurge Credit that can be used at up to two participating merchants, such as AAdvantage Hotels, Future Personal Training or Live Nation. (Exclusions apply.)
You can also get up to $100 in bill credit when you make in-flight purchases like snack boxes or in-flight Wi-Fi on American Airlines flights.
AAdvantage Globe cardholders can also earn bonus miles in more categories, including 6 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines AAdvantage hotel reservations and 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants. Converted cardholders will also receive these additional spending categories.
Unfortunately, those transitioning from Aviator Silver to AAdvantage Globe will miss out on its limited-time welcome offer.
Currently, new applicants to the Citi/AAdvantage Globe Mastercard can receive a limited-time welcome bonus of 90,000 miles when they spend $5,000 in purchases within the first four months of account opening.
According to TPG’s February 2026 valuation, those miles are worth $1,530.
So what is my strategy? I’m going to open a Universal card now so I can get the great welcome bonus. Once my Pilot Silver is converted, I will have two Universal cards and I will re-evaluate whether to keep both once the annual fee is reached.
Keeping Aviator card benefits on my new Globe card will continue to help me achieve top-tier AAdvantage Executive Platinum status next year. A win-win situation.
The Aviator Silver card has an annual fee of just $195, while the Globe has an annual fee of $350. We’ve asked Citibank if the converted card will have a higher annual fee when it renews, or if it will enjoy lower fees. Citi told TPG, “Cardmembers will currently retain their current annual fees. Any future changes will be communicated in advance of the changes.”
There’s some other good news from Citibank, which says any purchases cardholders make while using their Barclays card will count toward benefits unlocked after $20,000 in purchases.
“Correctly, qualifying spend on your Barclays AAdvantage Aviator card prior to conversion will continue to count towards benefits with spend requirements, such as statement points and loyalty qualifying annual benefits. Any future changes will be communicated in advance of the change.”
Related: The best credit cards for American Airlines passengers
AAdvantage pilot red
Things are a little different with the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®, which is no longer available. I also hold this card and it will soon be Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® (See Rates and Fees).
Information for the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard and Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard is independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Aviator Red cardholders will continue to receive the benefits of their current card after converting to a Citi card (similar to the Aviator Silver card). These include a $99 (plus tax) domestic companion gift certificate after you spend $20,000 in annual membership and keep your card active within 45 days of your renewal date, as well as a $25 annual in-flight Wi-Fi bill credit.
Citi tells us, “…former AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® cardholders will still have access to Companion Certificates for a limited time. Any future changes will be notified in advance of the changes.”
But it also means you’ll get some additional benefits when it becomes a Citi card. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select cardholders can enjoy a $125 discount on American Airlines flights when they spend $20,000 per year during their membership year.
Citi told TPG:
“Eligible AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® cardmembers who convert to the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard will receive a $125 American Airlines flight discount coupon when the cardmember’s total annual spending reaches $20,000 and the card is renewed.”
AAdvantage Platinum Select cardholders also earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on dining and gas purchases with the card.
As with the Aviator Silver transition, Aviator Red cardholders will not be eligible for the Platinum Select welcome offer. You need to apply for the separate Platinum Select in advance to receive the welcome bonus.
So what does this mean to me personally?
Since I already have the Citi Platinum Select Card, I will simply let my Pilot Red Card convert and then decide if it’s worth keeping both cards after the annual fees are posted.
Both cards have an annual fee of $99 (with an introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year).
Related: Best uses for American Airlines AAdvantage miles
bottom line
I have decided on a strategy for the Barclays Aviator Card. Basically, I’m keeping both cards and would love to try the Citi version this year. I’m excited that I’ll be getting some new benefits without losing any of the old ones (at least for the time being).
If all goes according to plan, I might end up with two Citi AAdvantage Globe cards and two Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select cards. Once I decide my next move (and how much I want to pay annually), I’ll probably write a follow-up story on whether to close or keep these duplicates.
To learn more, check out our full reviews of AAdvantage Globe and AAdvantage Platinum Select.
Complete details on the transition are available at: www.LandingatCiti.com
Related: The best credit cards to achieve elite status
