Citigroup wins deal to become exclusive American Airlines credit card issuer

American Airlines Group chose to make Citigroup Inc. the exclusive issuer of all of its credit cards, pushing out Barclays Plc from a three-way deal the companies long had in place. New York-based Citigroup will purchase Barclays’ portion of the cards and begin transitioning customers to its platform in 2026, according to a statement Thursday. Holders of the Barclays cards will continue to receive the same benefits they currently have, the companies said. Airlines are among the most sought-after partners in the world of credit cards because of the way consumers flock to the products to earn miles and points that can translate into free flights or travel credits. The cards have become crucial for airlines, many of which now make billions of dollars every year selling miles to big banks. “We’re now excited to take this relationship to greater heights through an expanded customer base and a series of new loyalty and reward offerings,” Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser said. <br/>