Currently, two banks issue American Airlines credit cards in the U.S.: Citibank and Barclays. The airline’s new cobrand deal grants exclusivity for this business to Citibank starting next year. And Barclays cards are going to move over to Citi.

That’s a shame because two issuers means twice the cards. As flight attendants on American flights often emphasize, even if you already have an American Airlines card from Citibank you can get one from Barclays, too.

• Barclays has had exclusivity over inflight marketing and in-airport marketing (except within 100 feet of an American Airlines lounge, which is Citi territory).

  

• So flight attendants earn commission pitching the Barclays card – and this is good advice. You could get both the Citi and Barclays cards, which means more bonuses and some unique benefits.

  

Since Barclays AAdvantage cards will no longer be available to new customers once Citi takes over the portfolio, good offers are worth jumping on. And there’s currently a 70,000 mile initial bonus offer after first purchase (no minimum spend) for this $99 annual fee card. The card offers first checked bag free on domestic itineraries and group 5 boarding.

We don’t know what will ultimately happen to unique products like the Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Silver (which was only ever avialable as an upgrade product, not one you could apply for directly). It offers 5,000 status-qualifying points after each of $25,000, $40,000 and $50,000 spend and also lets you earn a $99+tax companion ticket for up to two companions.

But the window to get the Barclays Aviator Red card is closing – unclear whether the rumored September 30 end date is accurate, or if it’ll extend a few months past that, but this is close to your last shot to get this card (so you might as well!).

(HT: Doctor of Credit)