US Airways Premier World MasterCardIf you’re like me and like to save money by using miles for last-minute expensive trips, or for helping your loved ones experience the finer things in life, then listen up:

My favorite deal in travel right now is Barclaycard’s limited-time offer on the US Airways® Premier World MasterCard®, which can get you 50,000 bonus miles after your first purchase and payment of the $89 annual fee! For me, that means a plane ticket or two for under $100 depending on the destination.

I snagged this card last year when they were offering it with 40,000 bonus miles (with first purchase and payment of the $89 annual fee), and I thought it was already an incredible deal. But Barclaycard has since stepped it up, as they know the US Airways brand is going away in the second quarter of this year—along with this card. So, to entice new customers they changed the offer to include a potential 50,000 bonus miles—and that’s not all. There are a whole bunch of perks if you fly US Airways, like: first checked bag free on eligible bags for you and up to four companions on domestic US Airways-operated flights, companion certificates good for up to two guests to travel with you on US Airways-operated flights for $99 each (plus taxes and fees), no foreign transaction fees on purchases you make while traveling in another country, and more. Here’s the full list of perks.

US Airways –> American
I applied for this card so I could redeem the miles for award travel with American Airlines, which is my preferred carrier. And once the two airlines completely merge in the next few months, the bonus miles I earned will go directly into my American Airlines AAdvantage account. Cha-ching!

What 50,000 American AAdvantage miles can get you
Here’s a sample of what 50,000 miles can get you by using American Airlines’ Award Map tool (see my post on the tool here):

If you live anywhere in the continental US, you can get two roundtrip domestic tickets (see screenshot below). I just put in Chicago since I have a lot of readers from there, but you can put in your desired city and try for yourself.

Roundtrips from Chicago, for two
Roundtrips from Chicago, for two

Next is a screenshot that I took for those living in New York who want to go to the Caribbean or Mexico. As you can see, you can flee for the sun for as little as 35,000 miles.

Roundtrips from NYC to the Caribbean and Mexico
Roundtrips from NYC to the Caribbean and Mexico

And finally for those that want to go to Europe (me!), here’s a screenshot of the cities available from Los Angeles (where I live) to Europe (but again you can try the Award Map out for yourself and put in any city). As you can see, if you book early enough, all it takes is 40,000 miles to fly roundtrip from the US to Europe!

Roundtrips from LA to Europe
Roundtrips from LA to Europe

The tickets I found can be had for all under $100 (plus miles) when you factor in taxes and fees—and that’s why the US Airways® Premier World MasterCard® is my favorite deal in travel!

28 Comments On "Earn 50,000 US Airways/American Airlines Miles"
  1. Andrea|

    Could I transfer the 50,000 miles to my AA account before the merge? And, would the companion pass on U.S. Airways have to be used before the merge is complete?

    1. Johnny Jet|

      1. You couldn’t but you can book AA tickets via US Airways.
      2. I’m not 100% sure but I believe you would have to use the companion pass before the merger is complete

    2. D. Muller|

      According to the website it states that the companion ticket needs to be purchased by September 30, 2015 and used by December 31, 2015.

  2. howard|

    after the merger and USAir is AA, will the card just become an AA card and benefits?

    1. Johnny Jet|

      According to credit card expert, Jason Steele, cardholders will be invited to upgrade to the AAdvantage Aviator Red card (with an annual fee of $89) or the AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite MasterCard (with an annual fee of $195), both of which will be billed on the cardholder’s next anniversary date. http://thepointsguy.com/2015/01/50000-us-airways-dividend-miles-10-great-ways-to-use-them/

      1. howard|

        thanks for the info.

  3. Kathy Millard|

    I have a bank account in New York where I visit very often, but I am a Canadian living in Toronto with a Canadian social.

    why can’t I apply for these wonderful credit cards? I would pay in US dollars.
    P.S. JJ keep up the great work!

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Unfortunately, the cards are only available for Americans. My wife is Canadian and she wants to sign up too but can’t. It’s frustrating since it’s such an easy way to a ton of miles

  4. Ray|

    What about other perks, like checked bags free? Will that still be available after the December 2015 merger using the U.S. Air card or would you have to convert to one of American’s other cards?

  5. tom schwinn|

    I got the 40,000 points over a year ago –can I apply for and get the new 50,000 bonus now as well?

    1. Johnny Jet|

      A reader told me they did so I just did this week. Got approved but still waiting for card to come in the mail.

      1. Another Peep|

        You already have a U S Airways credit card and applied for a second card? How did US Airways’ computer not bounce your application? Did you cancel the first card?

        1. Johnny Jet|

          I didn’t cancel the other one

  6. Nick|

    Hey did anyone see how long this deal will be around ? Thanks for posting this !

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Not sure but I think to the end of the month

  7. Joe|

    For the Barclay issued US Air credit card, can you have two active credit cards at the same time?

  8. Walter|

    I started by going to the American Airlines website and I created a round trip from O’Hare to Palm Springs and put in on hold for 24 hours. About 20 hours later, I decided to try doing the same booking at the US Air site. I found the same flights coded US Air and operated by American and did the booking. I was offered the option of applying for the US Air Premiere World MasterCard and having the trip charged to that card. I was approved in less than a minute. This also counts as the purchase required for the 50000 miles. The only downside is that I will only get limited other benefits on this booking because the flights are operated by American. Hopefully, the card will arrive in time for my first flight on March 3 so I can get my discount on onboard food and beverages.
    It would be nice if they made a mistake and gave me one free bag and priority boarding … :-) …

  9. Howard|

    Johnny, a while back you posted a link for the 60,000 mile bonus for USAir elite members. can you please publish that link again?
    Thanks.

    1. Johnny Jet|

      I don’t remember that one and it’s probably gone. These are the cards I have listed https://johnnyjet.com/travel-deals/travel-credit-cards-from-our-partners/

  10. Bodycrab|

    How long do you need to keep the card befor you cancel

    1. Johnny Jet|

      As long as you like. It’s a good card

  11. Jahnay|

    I’m NOT seeing the deal here. I have had a USAirways Master Card for about 15 years. American does
    not fly out of my small upstate NY airport. I would have to drive at least an hour away. For $79 a year for
    the priviledge of this card the only value for me was the one day Complimentary Club Day Pass. Zone 2
    boarding is nice. I did book flights using 5,000 fewer miles. Car rental certificate was no bargain. I tried
    using the $99 companion certificate, but it was such a hassle and extremely limited. Look at the black out
    dates alone. It is now near to impossible to get a Dividend Miles RT ticket at 25,000 miles even if
    you planned a flight almost a year in advance. How do I get a new card and get the 50,000 miles?

    1. Johnny Jet|

      The link is at the bottom of the page

  12. peter|

    If I already have a US AIR Premier card…can I get a second card?
    My guess is no.

  13. Neil|

    Thank you for the tip regarding the Barclay- US Airways- Credit Card with a bonus of 50,000 miles upon an initial purchase. I applied today and was approved immediately. The only fee, as you indicated, will be $89.00 annually. Thanks again.

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