The 2 different flavors of Barclays’ AAdvantage Aviator credit cards

Ryan joined TPG in 2022 and works as a credit cards writer, overseeing refreshes of card reviews and updating card offers. He enjoys racking up cash back and helping readers maximize their points and miles for their next big trip.

Jason Steele is a Senior Points and Miles Contributor who has been writing for The Points Guy since 2012. An expert in credit cards and award travel, Jason travels frequently across the United States and around the world with his wife and three children. Jason lives in Denver, Colorado, where he enjoys cycling, snowboarding, and piloting airplanes.

American Airlines planes at the gate in Phoenix airport" width="" height="" />

The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Editor's Note

American Airlines is among the few carriers that offer cobranded credit cards through two different banks. Citi has a line of AAdvantage credit cards, but American also offers a few cards with Barclays under the AAdvantage Aviator name.

Barclays used to issue a total of five Aviator credit cards — one business and four personal cards. However, only two of those cards are still open for applications: the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard and the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard.

Today, we'll look at those two cards and see whether they might be right for you.

The flavors of Aviator

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard

The Aviator Red card is the personal version of the two Barclays/Aviator cards currently offered to new applicants. You can earn 60,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after making just a single purchase within 90 days and paying its $99 annual fee.

The card comes with a few valuable perks that can justify its annual fee:

• Anniversary companion certificate — Each year, you can earn a companion certificate ($99 fare plus taxes and fees) after you spend at least $20,000 on your card and keep it open for 45 days after your cardmember anniversary.
• Inflight Wi-Fi credits — You'll get up to $25 in statement credits annually for inflight Wi-Fi purchases.
• Inflight savings — You can receive a 25% discount for inflight food and beverage purchases as a statement credit.
• First checked bag free — You and up to four companions traveling on the same reservation will get your first checked bags free on American Airlines itineraries.
• Preferred boarding — You and up to four traveling companions on the same reservation will be granted preferred boarding on American Airlines-operated flights.
• Travel protections — You'll receive travel accident insurance, an auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance and trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

You'll also earn a decent 2 miles per dollar on all American Airlines purchases.

The information for the Red World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard

The AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard is the business AAdvantage offering from Barclays and another solid for frequent AA flyers. It has a similar annual fee of $95 and does not currently offer a welcome bonus.

Once again, you'll get several valuable benefits as a cardholder:

• Anniversary companion certificate: Receive a companion certificate each account anniversary year, good for one guest at $99 (plus taxes and fees), after spending $30,000 on purchases in that year and keeping your account open for 45 days after your anniversary date.
• Free checked bag: You and up to four companions traveling on the same reservation will get your first checked bags free on American Airlines itineraries.
• Preferred boarding: You and up to four traveling companions on the same reservation will be granted preferred boarding on American Airlines-operated flights.
• Inflight savings: Receive 25% inflight savings as a statement credit on food and beverages when you use your card on American Airlines-operated flights.
• 5% AAdvantage mileage bonus: Every year upon account renewal, you'll receive a 5% bonus on all miles earned from qualifying purchases on your card (not including your welcome bonus).

You'll also earn 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, plus 2 miles per dollar spent at eligible office supply merchants, telecommunications merchants and car rental merchants and 1 mile per dollar on everything else.

The information for the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

Both the the Aviator Red and Aviator Business cards are competitive entry-level products. And once you have an Aviator Red card, you can potentially upgrade it to the Aviator Silver, which is an exceptional offer for frequent AA flyers.

However, there are many other top credit cards out there for airfare purchases, so be sure to carefully consider which would be the best fit for your wallet.

Additional reading:

• Choosing the best credit card for American Airlines flyers
• Best credit cards for airfare purchases
• Credit cards that can help you earn airline elite status

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.