Your US Airways Card Will Become an American Airlines Card

Million Mile Secrets reader GetToThePoints commented:

Lora has asked the most pertinent unanswered question by any of the bloggers. If we currently have the Barclaycard US Airways card should we cancel it so we can later apply for the new Barclaycard American Airlines card?

It doesn’t matter if GetToThePoints cancels his current Barclaycard US Airways card, because he can’t apply for the new Barclaycard American Airlines card (and never will be able to).

Barclaycard won’t be issuing NEW American Airlines cards for folks to sign-up for.  But the existing Barclaycard US Airways card will become a Barclaycard American Airlines card.

So if you don’t have a US Airways card, consider getting 1 now because it won’t be available much longer.  And you won’t be able to apply for the Barclaycard American Airlines cards!

Barclaycard US Airways Card

Link:   Barclaycard US Airways Card

Link:   My Review of the Barclaycard US Airways Card

You get 40,000 miles after your 1st purchase and paying the $89 annual fee.

With this card, you also get:

• Priority check-in and boarding
• A free checked bag for you and up to 4 traveling companions on domestic flights
• 5,000 mile discount on US Airways award tickets
• Companion certificate each year for up to 2 traveling companions (this ends in December)
• $89 annual fee, NOT waived for the 1st year

The Barclaycard US Airways Card Will Become an American Airlines Card

When American Airlines & US Airways finish merging, Citi will be the primary issuer of American Airlines credit cards.

But until then, the Barclaycard US Airways card with a 40,000 mile sign-up bonus is still available!  Although, I don’t know how long it will last!

At the end of 2014, the old Barclaycard US Airways card will lose these perks:

• Yearly Companion certificate for up to 2 traveling companions
• 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles after spending $25,000 a year
• US Airways Club lounge pass and membership discount

But I don’t mind losing the companion certificate, elite miles, and lounge pass because the new perks are much better.  And I like the sign-up bonus!

And after the merger, this card won’t be available and GetToThePoints’ US Airways miles will become American Airlines miles.

Here are other ways GetToThePoints can get American Airlines miles.

Consider It Another American Airlines Card

With the new Barclaycard American Airlines AAdvantage MasterCard, GetToThePoints will get perks similar to the Citi American Airlines cards:

• 10% mileage rebate on redeemed miles (maximum 10,000 miles a year)
• 25% off onboard purchases (food and drink)
• $100 flight discount each year after spending $30,000
• Priority check-in

To me, getting 10% of my redeemed miles back is a good perk.

And if GetToThePoints already has all the Citi American Airlines cards, it would be like getting another American Airlines card, but from a different bank.

Bottom Line

GetToThePoints shouldn’t cancel his Barclaycard US Airways card in the hope of later applying for a Barclaycard American Airlines card.  That’s because the Barclaycard American Airlines cards are closed to new applicants and will unlikely be open to new applicants.

If GetToThePoints didn’t have the card already (and doesn’t have a lot of Barclaycards), getting a Barclaycard US Airways card is a good way to earn future American Airlines miles.