American Airlines has launched an MBNA American Express loyalty credit card in the UK, offering a "50 percent increase on mileage accrual rates" compared to its previous agreement with Citibank and Visa.
There is no annual fee for the card, and users who spend £250 within 90 days of opening their account will receive 5,000 bonus AAdvantage miles. For the first six months cardholders will also earn three miles per £1 spent in UK petrol stations and supermarkets, or direct with American Airlines.
All other purchases (and those made after the six-month introductory period) will earn 1.5 miles per £1 spent, which AA says is a 50 percent increase of accrual rates compared with its previously offered cards - the airline ceased to offer its Citibank Visa Gold card at the end of last year.
There is no interest on balance and money transfers for the first six months (as long as they are made within 90 days of opening the account), although a two percent handling fee does apply, and purchases made direstcly with AA are interest free for the first 12 months from the account opening date. After the introductory period the card reverts to a typical rate of 17.9 percent variable.
Rival US carrier United Airlines also offers an MBNA American Express card in conjunction with its Mileage Plus loyalty scheme, although according to its website it currently only offers one mile for every £1 spent.
For more information visit www.aa.com/uk/mbna.