70K Bonus: Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard Review

The Aviator Red Mastercard currently offers the following welcome bonus:

Earn 70,000 miles after making your first purchase and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.

This easy-to-earn bonus is a significant advantage of the card, as many other airline credit cards require a certain amount of spending within a set timeframe to qualify for the bonus. It’s important to note that the welcome bonus miles do not count as Loyalty Points, which are used to determine elite status with American Airlines.

The Aviator Red Mastercard earns AAdvantage Miles at the following rate:

• 2 miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases; and 
• 1 miles per dollar on all other purchases.

The AAdvantage Aviator® Red charges a annual fee, which is pretty standard compared with mid-level airline credit cards. While paying an annual fee is never ideal, the card offers several benefits that can easily offset this cost for frequent American Airlines flyers.

For example, the free checked bag benefit can save you roundtrip per person, meaning the annual fee pays itself after just two trips with a companion. Additionally, inflight savings, companion certificate opportunities, and other perks can provide significant value throughout the year.

One of the primary reasons to consider the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is its extensive list of card benefits that can enhance your travel experience and save you money.

Free Checked Bag: As a cardholder, you’ll receive your first checked bag free for yourself and up to four companions traveling on the same domestic American Airlines reservation. With checked bag fees starting at each way, this benefit can lead to substantial savings over time.

Preferred Boarding: Cardholders are entitled to preferred boarding on American Airlines flights, allowing you to board before the general group and giving you early access to overhead bin space. This perk also extends to up to four companions traveling on the same reservation.

Inflight Savings: When you use your AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® to purchase food and beverages onboard American Airlines flights, you’ll receive a 25% discount in the form of statement credits.

Companion Certificate: Each anniversary year, you have the opportunity to earn a companion certificate good for one guest at (plus taxes and fees). To qualify, you must spend ,000 on purchases and keep your account open for at least 45 days after your anniversary date. The certificate has some restrictions – it is only valid for round-trip, domestic economy travel. While the spending requirement is significant, the certificate can be quite valuable, especially for more expensive routes.

Inflight Wi-Fi Credit: Stay connected while flying with up to in statement credits per anniversary year for inflight Wi-Fi purchases on American Airlines flights.

Intro APR: The Aviator Red offers 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. After that, a variable APR will apply, 20.49% to 29.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors. Balance transfers carry of fee of the greater of or 5%. For example, a balance transfer of ,000 would require a fee.

No Foreign Transaction Fees: This does not charge any foreign transaction fees, making it an ideal companion for international travel. Many other cards impose a fee of 3% or more on transactions made abroad, so this perk can result in significant savings for frequent travelers outside the U.S.

Secondary Rental Car Insurance: This card provides backup coverage after your personal auto insurance when you rent a vehicle and charge the full rental to your card. Just decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver to activate this benefit. The coverage kicks in after your personal insurance pays out, helping cover your deductible and any remaining costs for damage or theft.

Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance: This protection reimburses you for non-refundable, prepaid travel expenses if you need to cancel before departure or cut your trip short due to covered situations like severe illness or weather events. Coverage activates when you pay for your trip with the card, but it’s important to note that reimbursement only applies for specific covered reasons rather than any cancellation.

Baggage Delay Insurance: Missing luggage doesn’t have to derail your trip – this coverage steps in to reimburse you for essential purchases when your checked bags are delayed by airlines, trains, or other carriers. You can grab the necessities you need, from a fresh outfit to personal care items, while waiting for your bags to arrive.

American Airlines AAdvantage miles offer excellent value for savvy travelers, particularly for international premium cabin redemptions with its Oneworld partners. While domestic awards can be reasonable, the real sweet spots lie in partner airline bookings and long-haul flights.

One of the best uses is flying to the Middle East or India in business class for just 70,000 miles one-way. This can get you on Qatar Airways’ renowned Qsuite or Etihad’s luxurious business class product. Another standout option is business class to Africa for 75,000 miles, accessing destinations like South Africa or Kenya via Middle Eastern hubs.

Asia is another region where AAdvantage miles shine. You can fly business class to Japan or South Korea for 60,000 miles, or to destinations like Thailand or Singapore for 70,000 miles. While availability can be challenging, patience can score you seats on top-rated airlines like Japan Airlines or Cathay Pacific.

For those eyeing American’s own premium cabins, dynamic pricing sometimes yields attractive rates, especially on connecting itineraries. You might find business class to Europe for 62,000 miles or even first class to Australia for 75,000 miles.

AAdvantage also excels in bookings between other regions. For instance, Middle East to Asia in business class for 40,000 miles or South Pacific to Asia for the same price can offer exceptional value.

Easy Welcome Bonus: The card offers a substantial welcome bonus after making your first purchase and paying the annual fee, without having to meet any minimum spending requirements.

Valuable Airline Perks: The Aviator Red offers nice perks on American Airlines including free checked bags and priority boarding.

Companion Certificate: While it requires significant spending, the ability to earn a companion certificate each year can provide outsized value, especially for expensive fares.

Disappointing Earning Rates: The card’s earning rates of 2x miles on American Airlines purchases and 1x miles on everything else are pretty standard and not particularly competitive compared to some other travel rewards credit cards

Bags on International Flights: The free checked bag benefit of the Aviator Red only applies to domestic flights and not international flights.

Annual Fee: Although the annual fee is reasonable compared to more premium airline credit cards, it still adds to your yearly cost of card ownership and needs to be weighed against the benefits you’ll realistically use.

The Aviator Red Mastercard is a solid choice for frequent American Airlines flyers looking for a card with a relatively low annual fee that still provides valuable perks. The generous welcome bonus, free checked bag benefit, and inflight savings can quickly justify the annual cost. However, the high spending requirement for the companion certificate and the card’s modest earning rates are potential drawbacks to consider.

Ultimately, this card is best suited for loyal American Airlines customers who fly often enough to take advantage of the benefits and aren’t put off by the idea of paying an annual fee for more rewarding perks. If you find yourself frequently traveling with American Airlines and can utilize the card’s benefits, the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® could be a worthwhile addition to your wallet.