In December 2024 it was announced that Citi would become the sole issuer of American Airlines cards in 2026. Barclays stopped issuing new American Airline cards on 9/30/25.
There were two card issuers because Barclays used to issue the US Airways card and American Airlines acquired US Airways in 2013. The cobranded cards were renewed in 2016 and this allowed Barclays to advertise inflight/in airports and Citi had the rest of the acquisition channels.
We knew that Citi had purchased the backbook from Barclays but it wasn’t clear when the transfer of existing Barclays cards to Citi would occur. Citi now has a website that is live and changes are being communicated to cardholders as well. Main things to note:
- Change will happen on April 24, 2026. Barclays card automatically converted to Citi
- Can continue to use Barclays card as long as account remains open
- Card conversions as follows:
- Aviator Red > Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select
- Aviator Silver > Citi AAdvantage Globe
- Aviator Blue > Citi AAdvantage Gold
- Aviator World Elite > American Airlines AAdavtange MileUp
- Aviator World Elite Business > AAdvantage Business
- No access to online or mobile banking on Citi/Barclays from April 24 – 26, 2026
