American Airlines credit card sign-up bonus halved – but loophole exists

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American Airlines has halved the sign-up bonus on its American Express and Visa credit card double-pack.

The cards, issued by MBNA, now offer only 5,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles for signing up. This is a 50% drop on the previous standard offer of 10,000 miles, and you need to remember that, back in June, AA was actually offering 20,000 miles.

At the time of writing, the MBNA website is still offering 10,000 miles. If you were about to apply for the AA card, I would apply via MBNA and take screen shots showing the 10,000 miles offer. I would expect this page to change in the next few days.

This is yet another shot across the bows at people who have got used to generous sign-up bonuses this year. United’s Amex card, also issued by MBNA, recently had its sign-up bonus cut from 15,000 miles to nothing.

As I reported a few days ago, Amex has severely tightened the screws on who qualifies for its generous sign-up bonuses on the Preferred Rewards Gold and Platinum charge cards.

How to earn American Airlines miles from UK credit cards (December 2021)

American Airlines no longer has its own UK credit card.

There is, however, still a way to earn American Airlines miles from a UK credit card.

The route is via Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy hotel loyalty points convert to American Airlines miles at the rate of 3:1. You receive an additional 5,000 miles bonus if you convert 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at once.

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points is via the official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card. It comes with 20,000 points for signing up and 2 points for every £1 you spend.

At 2 Bonvoy points per £1, you are earning (at 3:1) 0.66 American Airlines miles per £1 spent on the card. This will increase to 0.83 AA miles per £1 if you convert Bonvoy points in chunks of 60,000 points.

You can apply here.