AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard review: A solid option for American loyalists
Editor's Note
AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard Overview
The AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard is a well-rounded option for frequent AA flyers. While the card isn't the most rewarding for ongoing spending, perks like the first checked bag free, an annual companion certificate and a 5% annual bonus on miles earned with the card make it a compelling choice. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
American Airlines is one of the only major travel companies to have credit cards issued by two different banks: Citi and Barclays. While this can create some confusion, competition is almost always a good thing for the consumer. It causes banks to lower fees and raise bonuses to win over some of the market share.
The AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard is one of several AA-cobranded cards that Barclays offers. With a $95 annual fee, it is comparable to other entry-level AA-cobranded cards offered by Barclay and Citi.
Unfortunately, the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard is currently not accepting new applicants. Barclay has stated that they have paused new applications to the card while they explore future enhancements.
Read on to explore all that the AAdvantage Aviator Business card offers for current cardholders and for those who may want to apply in the future when applications open up again.
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.
Related: Best American Airlines credit cards
AAdvantage Aviator Business pros and cons
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AAdvantage Aviator Business welcome offer
The AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard is currently not accepting applications.
However, in the past, the card did offer new applicants up 70,000-mile bonus after they met the spending requirement.
Related: Citi's current AAdvantage credit card offers: Everything you need to know
AAdvantage Aviator Business benefits
You shouldn't expect a long list of perks on an entry-level credit card that only carries a $95 annual fee, but there are still a few nice perks on the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard worth highlighting:
- First checked bag free: You and up to four companions will receive a first checked bag free when traveling on domestic itineraries operated by American Airlines.
- Preferred boarding: You and up to 4 companions on your reservation will receive priority boarding when traveling on itineraries operated by American Airlines.
- Annual companion certificate: Every year that you spend at least $30,000 on eligible purchases, you'll receive a companion certificate good for one companion on a round-trip domestic economy itinerary. Just pay $99 plus applicable taxes and fees.
- 5% AAdvantage mileage bonus: Upon account renewal every year, you'll receive a 5% bonus on all miles earned from qualifying purchases on your card (not including your welcome bonus).
- 25% inflight savings: Enjoy a 25% discount on inflight purchases when you pay with your Aviator card.
- Free employee cards
- No foreign transaction fees
While the majority of these benefits are not noteworthy, one does stand out from the bunch. The 5% AAdvantage mileage bonus is a neat benefit not seen on other cobranded AA cards. If your business has substantial annual costs, you can earn an additional small portion per year thanks to your high spending. Granted, 5% is not a lot, but since no travel credit cards have American Airlines as a transfer partner, all avenues of earning can help build your AA miles.
Related: Why small businesses that use American AAdvantage need a cobranded business card
Earning miles on the AAdvantage Aviator Business
You'll want to keep this card open for its perks, not for its bonus categories. Like many airline credit cards, the earning rates are fairly weak. Aviator business cardholders earn at the following rates:
- 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
- 2 miles per dollar spent at eligible office supply merchants, telecommunications merchants and car rental merchants
- 1 mile per dollar spent everywhere else
The good news is that you don't need to use your Aviator to pay for a flight in order to get a free checked bag, so you can keep the card open, enjoy the benefit and book your travel on a more rewarding card.
Related: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?
Redeeming miles on the AAdvantage Aviator Business
While AAdvantage offers several low-value redemption options, you'll almost always come out ahead by redeeming your miles flights. American Airlines uses a quasi-dynamic award pricing system. If you're flexible, you can find short-haul domestic flights for as low as 5,000 miles each way in economy.
Oneworld and AA partner redemptions are fixed costs based on the award chart; however, if you're flying American Airlines to Europe, South America, Asia, or Australia, be ready to see dynamic award pricing.
Some of the best values with American Airlines are on its Oneworld partners, such as Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways and Japan Airlines. For example, 70,000 miles is enough for a one-way business-class ticket on Cathay Pacific to anywhere in Asia or a JAL first-class flight to Tokyo. That flight retails for well over $10,000 one-way.
I utilize my AA miles for premium cabin redemptions such as with Qatar Airways for their Qsuite business class for 70,000 miles to the Middle East or flying on JAL's Sky Suite to Tokyo in business class for 60,000 miles.
Which cards compete with the AAdvantage Aviator Business?
Several other AA cobranded cards compete with the AAdvantage Aviator Business, not to mention general travel credit cards as well.
- If you want more elite-style perks: Thee Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) comes with perks like Admirals Club membership, bonus-earning on AA purchases, statement credits, and Loyalty Point bonuses. However, it comes with a hefty $595 annual fee. For more information, read our full review of the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.
- If you want a general travel card: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a good choice for those who aren't committed to one airline and prefer earning transferable miles. The card earns 2 miles per dollar on all purchases and has 15-plus transfer partners. It has a low annual fee of $95 (see rates and fees). For more information, read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards review.
- If you prefer a Citi-issued business card: The Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) is a simple and easy way to earn points for your business and open another AA miles-earning credit card if you're ineligible for personal ones. The card comes with an annual fee of $99, which is waived for the first year. For more information, read our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard.
For additional options, please see our full list of the best airline cards and the best travel rewards cards.
Related: Best business credit cards of 2024
Is the AAdvantage Aviator Business worth it?
The AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard is a great choice for anyone looking to boost their AAdvantage account balance through business spending. If you fly even semi-regularly with American, the first checked bag free on eligible flights should help you offset the card's $95 annual fee. At the moment, Barclays has stopped accepting applications, so your choices are to either wait or apply for another AA-cobranded card, such as the Citi AAdvantage Business.
Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions
Bottom line
Whether this is the first AA card you're considering or a necessary pivot after exhausting all your options with Citi, the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard offers a very compelling value proposition. With a decent earning rate and solid travel benefits, this is a great choice for even casual AA flyers.
Related: Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers in 2024