AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard [Details and Review]

If you’re a frequent American Airlines flyer, then you have to check out this credit card. In this AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard review, I’ll list all of its features, rewards, and requirements so you can decide if it is the right credit card for you.

The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard is a credit card issued by Barclays. Its features are exclusively designed for frequent American Airlines flyers. These include priority boarding, free checked bags, a companion pass, and a sign-up bonus.

Read on to learn more about the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard, its features, rewards, and pros and cons.

About the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard

The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard is one of the credit cards issued by Barclays. Its features are intentionally designed for frequent American Airlines flyers. These features include priority boarding, free checked bags, a companion pass, and a sign-up bonus.

This credit card charges an annual fee of $99. Its regular annual percentage rate (APR) ranges between 15.99% and 24.99%, variable.

It charges a 0% foreign transaction fee and 0% introductory balance transfer APR for 15 billing cycles. The balance transfer fee is 3% per transaction of $5, whichever is higher.

As for the rewards earning rate, you can earn 2x miles per $1 spent on any eligible American Airlines purchases. Otherwise, you will earn 1x miles per $1.

For your credit card application to get approved, your credit score should be between 670 and 850. This means that your credit status is somewhere between Good and Excellent.

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard Target Market

As earlier mentioned, the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard is targeted towards frequent American Airlines flyers. But what should be the characteristics of the cardholders to be able to maximize this credit card?

Aside from being frequent flyers, they should also be:

• Loyalty status seekers
• Frequent diners
• International travelers

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard Bonus

If you have an AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard, you have the chance to get 60,000 bonus miles after using it for the first time. Your first purchase must be made within the first 90 days. At the same time, the annual fee must already be paid.

Such bonus miles are enough for approximately three flights using AAnytime awards. They are also enough for roughly 8 one-way flights using MileSAAVer awards. 

AAdvantage points are worth approximately 2.26 cents. This means that if you use the bonus for flights, it will amount to more or less $1,356.

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard Rewards Earning Details

The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard rewards earning system is pretty straightforward compared to other credit cards. For every $1 spent on American Airlines purchases, you get to earn 2 miles. Then, for all your other purchases, you get to earn 1 mile per $1.

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard Rewards Redemption Details

Redeeming AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard rewards is just as straightforward as earning them. But this can also mean that it isn’t as flexible as the rewards redemption process of other credit cards.

For instance, you can only redeem miles for gift cards once you have reached a certain status level in the AAdvantage program. At the same time, you must also have a balance of 25,000 AAdvantage miles or more.

The best redemption option of all is to use miles for your American Airlines purchases. All you have to do is log in to your AAdvantage account, then use your miles to pay for your chosen flights. The total miles you need per flight depends on several factors, including the type of miles you are redeeming and your destination.

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard Rewards Transfer Points

The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard forms part of the Oneworld alliance. As a cardholder, you won’t be able to directly transfer miles to another alliance member loyalty program. However, you can use your miles for booking flights on other airlines.

Also, you can transfer miles to the account of another member. However, all transfers are subject to fees, and the other person should also have an AAdvantage account number.

How to Maximize Your AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard Rewards

To maximize your AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard, always use it for all your American Airlines purchases. Doing so will allow you to earn 2 miles per $1 spent.

When redeeming rewards for flights, make sure to check the costs in dollars and miles. If your AAdvantage credit card plan is flexible, make sure also to check various flight schedules. That way, you’ll be able to check which flight will allow you to maximize your rewards.

You can also use your miles to improve your flight experience. For instance, it’s possible to upgrade your flight from economy to business class using your miles. From business class, you can also upgrade to first class.

If your annual credit card charges reach 5 figures, and you’re a regular American Airlines customer, you can maximize your rewards. The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard offers an anniversary bonus to qualified cardholders.

It will allow you to get a return domestic economy ticket for your companion for only $99. This, however, is subject to taxes and other fees. But still, it’s a great offer.

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard Outstanding Benefits

Once you become an AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard holder, you get a chance to receive World Elite travel benefits. These include travel insurance coverage.

You also become eligible for its anniversary bonus. It comes in the form of a companion certificate worth $99. To be eligible, you must be able to charge at least $20,000 to your AAdvantage Red World Elite Mastercard within a year.

Being a cardholder also means that you are up for more miles. This is because your purchases will be rounded up to the nearest dollar.

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard Standard Benefits

The standard benefits you’ll get for having an AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard include the following:

1. 0% fraud liability
2. Free checked bag
3. Preferred boarding

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard Security Features

The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard guarantees 0% Fraud Liability protection. If you encounter fraudulent charges, you will not be liable for them. 

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard Customer Experience

Based on the 2020 J.D. Power Credit Card Satisfaction Study results, Barclays scores 796 points out of 1,000.

Barclays is the issuer of the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard.

Again, what does the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard offer? Barclays offers the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard. This credit card also gives its patriots access to services like priority boarding, free checked bags, a companion pass, and a sign-up bonus.

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard Pros and Cons

To further help you decide if this is the right credit card for you, let’s talk about its pros and cons.

The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard undeniably has several advantages. Some of these are the following:

1. Provides generous bonus
2. Has an introductory offer on balance transfers
3. Offers access to American Airlines benefits

We also see some disadvantages to it, which include:

1. Has an annual fee of $99
2. Doesn’t offer introductory APR on products and services paid for

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard – Pros

1. Provides Generous Bonus

There’s no denying that this credit card’s one-time offer of 60,000 miles will allow you to book 3 return flights using your MileSAAver awards. This is because redemptions for these flights start at 15,000 miles.

This generous bonus has a very minimal spending requirement. You become eligible to receive this once you make a single purchase within 90 days from the card activation date. Also, you have to make sure that you have already paid the annual fee in full.

2. Has an Introductory Offer on Balance Transfers

Its introductory balance transfer offer is enticing too. Once you become an AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard holder, you are entitled to receive a 0% annual percentage rate for 15 billing cycles.

However, balance transfers must occur within 45 days from the card activation date to enjoy this benefit. Also, there is a transfer fee of 3% or $5, whichever is higher.

3. Offers Access to American Airlines Benefits

As an AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard holder and frequent American Airlines flyer, here are the perks you may enjoy:

• Preferred boarding
• Yearly statement credit for in-flight wi-fi purchases up to $25
• Free first checked bag on domestic flights
• 25% back on in-flight food and beverages bought
• Companion certificate for a round trip domestic ticket amounting to $99 plus taxes following $20,000 worth of products and services bought each year

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard – Cons

1. Has an Annual Fee of $99

If you’re considering getting an AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard, you must pay the annual fee immediately. Unfortunately, it is not waived for the first year.

However, if you know how to maximize the use of this Mastercard, you can quickly justify the cost. This is particularly true if you are indeed an active American Airlines customer.

2. Doesn’t Offer Introductory APR on Products and Services Paid For

The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard indeed offers a 0% APR balance transfer introductory offer. However, this introductory offer does not include products and services you paid for using the Mastercard.

Conclusion – AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard

The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard is a credit card issued by Barclays. Its features are intentionally designed for frequent American Airlines flyers. These features include:

• Priority boarding,
• Free checked bags,
• A companion pass, and
• A sign-up bonus.

This credit card is for you if you’re a fan of American Airlines and if you literally don’t book flights with any other airlines at all. You can get this credit card, too, if you plan to become a full-fledged American Airlines flyer from now on. Otherwise, you might want to use another credit card that better fits you.

But then again, if you are a frequent American Airlines flyer, you will definitely enjoy all the benefits that the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard has to offer.