Citi & Barclaycard American Airlines Cards Now Receive Preferred Boarding On American Airlines International Flights

Citi has sent out an e-mail to their American Airlines cardholders letting them know that they will now receive preferred boarding on American Airline international flights. Previously cardholders only received this benefit on domestic flights. The new benefit also applies to Barclaycard American Airlines cards.

The following cardholders will receive Zone 5 boarding:

  • Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select World EliteTM Mastercard
  • CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select World EliteTM Mastercard
  • Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® American Express® Card
  • Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Visa Signature
  • AAdvantage® AviatorTM Silver Mastercard®
  • AAdvantage® AviatorTM Red Mastercard®
  • AAdvantage® AviatorTM Business Mastercard®

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® cardholders will receive zone 4 boarding. The benefit also applies to up to 4 customers listed in the same reservation as the primary card-member.

Hat tip to reader @Bayuze

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22 Comments
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Marshall
Marshall (@guest_491569)
October 10, 2017 18:58

I just came back from HKG 10-10-17 and got early group 5 boarding which was nice.

Darvin Ray
Darvin Ray (@guest_491533)
October 10, 2017 18:21

i always had preferred boarding when travelling to europe in AA. all i have is the AA platinum mastercard (was a visa)

MoreSun
MoreSun (@guest_491414)
October 10, 2017 15:05

Zone 5 and then “general” boarding hasn’t even started yet- sheesh! Any bets on when we hit double digit loading zones with AA?

Ray
Ray (@guest_491393)
October 10, 2017 14:06

Zone 5 is priority? How many boarding groups does AA have?

I guess at least everyone isn’t Group 2 like on UA.

Evan
Evan (@guest_491362)
October 10, 2017 12:37

I’d love to know how to apply for the AAdvantage Aviator Business MasterCard. Nobody seems to know much about it…neither Barclaycard customer service nor their team on Twitter.

EthanZ
EthanZ (@guest_491336)
October 10, 2017 11:54

Looks like Barclays AA cards got the benefit too?

John
John (@guest_491330)
October 10, 2017 11:38

When you redeem with a partner program you get this automatically. Also 9 zones on top of all the other status boarding benefits is ridiculous American.

Abey
Abey (@guest_491309)
October 10, 2017 11:07

I didnt know there is an Amex AA card.

DCJoe
DCJoe (@guest_491356)
October 10, 2017 12:29

Citi used to issue Amex AA cards, I think they stopped maybe 2010-2011. Used to be a good way to mix up the cards you got with them- one MC, one Amex, etc. Must be some cardholders still left from those days.

Abey
Abey (@guest_491384)
October 10, 2017 13:41

Thanks

Jim
Jim (@guest_491296)
October 10, 2017 10:42

It is totally useless benefit cos you are always the last with the general public without status or first or biz class to board . The right thing to do is to release award flights and give free checked bag benefit on international flights

Aaron
Aaron (@guest_491299)
October 10, 2017 10:49

I’m not sure I follow… the benefit is that you get on the plane early, which these days is primarily to give you priority access to the overhead bins. I’ve never seen Group 4 or Group 5 be forced to gate check bags due to full overhead bins.

Celestino
Celestino (@guest_491314)
October 10, 2017 11:19

I agree with that the check bag would be awesome to have on International flights but the Zone 5 boarding is really useful (at least for me). I get in line when they call zone 3, since zone 5 is first on the general line so I’m not blocking anyone and always find overhead space.

frogger
frogger (@guest_491376)
October 10, 2017 13:21

You can check a bag for free on International flights no matter whom you are on American Airlines. So you have what you want. Enjoy/

Rick
Rick (@guest_491386)
October 10, 2017 13:46

Not on flights to Mexico or the Caribbean.

Adam
Adam (@guest_491400)
October 10, 2017 14:20

Obviously it’d be a 2nd free bag!

Charlie
Charlie (@guest_492838)
October 12, 2017 12:06

No airline gives a 2nd bag free on a $95 credit card, and that is true even when your first bag is free because it’s a long-haul international flight. The 2nd bag free benefit is only offered on the $450 credit cards.

brteacher
brteacher (@guest_491412)
October 10, 2017 15:04

Or Central America. Yeah, it’s pathetic that I don’t get a free bag with an AA credit card that charge me an annual fee.

Larry
Larry (@guest_491277)
October 10, 2017 10:25

Not sure when this changed but had an international flight at the end of August and I noticed I got preferred boarding because of my card.