These 3 Credit Cards Can Help You Get American Airlines Elite Status

The American Airlines AAdvantage® program is unique in that you can earn elite status without flying. Status is based entirely on Loyalty Points. There are several ways to earn these, including making purchases with American Airlines credit cards. Here are the program's status tiers and the requirements for each one:

• AAdvantage Gold® status: 40,000 Loyalty Points
• AAdvantage Platinum® status: 75,000 Loyalty Points
• AAdvantage Platinum Pro® status: 125,000 Loyalty Points
• AAdvantage Executive Platinum® status: 200,000 Loyalty Points

With the airline's credit cards, you generally earn 1 Loyalty Point per $1 spent. So if you spend $40,000 during the status qualification period (starting March 1 and ending Feb. 28), you'll earn 40,000 Loyalty Points and get AAdvantage Gold® status. If you want to open an American Airlines card so you can get elite status, here are three of the best options.

1. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is likely the best value for everyday travelers. It has a $99, waived for first 12 months. It also has a huge welcome offer: 75,000 bonus miles for making $3,500 in purchases in the first four months. Here's how much it earns on purchases:

• 2 miles per $1 at gas stations, restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases
• 1 mile per $1 on other purchases

Remember that this card earns 1 Loyalty Point per $1, regardless of the spending category. If you spend $75,000 on it within the status qualification period, that will get you AAdvantage Platinum® status.

If you spend at least $20,000 during your account year and renew this card by paying the annual fee, you'll also earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount. That alone is more than the cost of the annual fee. And as a cardholder, your first checked bag is free.

2. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

For frequent flyers who want it all, there's the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. It's expensive, with a $595 annual fee. But it includes a complimentary Admirals Club® membership, which normally costs $850 per year. It also offers 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $7,000 in the first three months. Here's how much it earns on purchases:

• 10 miles per $1 on eligible hotels booked through aa.com/hotels
• 10 miles per $1 on eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars
• 4 miles per $1 on eligible American Airlines purchases
• 1 mile per $1 on other purchases

If you're a big spender, you can earn even more with this card. After you spend $150,000 on purchases in a calendar year, you'll earn 5 miles per $1 on eligible American Airlines purchases for the rest of the year.

One other important perk is a Loyalty Points bonus. It earns the same rate of 1 Loyalty Point per $1. But it also offers a 10,000 Loyalty Points bonus when you reach 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year, and another 10,000 when you reach 90,000 Loyalty Points in the same year. You can earn up to 20,000 in bonus Loyalty Points per year this way, which helps when chasing those higher status tiers.

3. American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card

If you don't want to pay an annual fee, there's the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card. Now, it doesn't have nearly as many benefits. The welcome offer is a pedestrian 15,000 bonus miles after you spend $500 in the first three months. Here's how much this card earns on purchases:

• 2 miles per $1 on eligible American Airlines purchases
• 2 miles per $1 at grocery stores (including grocery delivery services)
• 1 mile per $1 on other purchases

For anyone who flies American Airlines regularly, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is almost certainly a better choice. But this card could work if you just want to earn more Loyalty Points, without paying anything for a credit card.

The fast track to American Airlines elite status

Having an American Airlines card makes it much easier to get elite status. Instead of earning status solely through what you spend with American Airlines, you'll be able to turn all your credit card purchases into Loyalty Points. If you're looking to move up in the AAdvantage® program, one of those credit cards is likely a good idea -- ideally one of the first two.

It's worth mentioning that going for elite status and getting an airline credit card is only worth it if you fly with the same airline often. If not, you may want to check out more versatile travel credit cards, with rewards that aren't tied to one frequent flyer program.