AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard Review: Is It Right for You?

Who Is the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard For?

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This credit card is ideal for:

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1. Frequent American Airlines flyers who want to earn miles quickly
2. Travelers who value perks like free checked bags and preferred boarding
3. Those who can maximize the companion certificate benefit
4. Individuals with good to excellent credit history (typically FICO scores of 670 or higher)

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The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard may not be the best fit for:

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1. Infrequent travelers or those who don't often fly American Airlines
2. Budget-conscious consumers who prefer no-annual-fee cards

Comparing the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard With Other Credit Cards

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When considering the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the mid-tier travel card category:

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card:

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• Annual fee: $95

• Welcome offer: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements

• Key rewards: 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3X on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2X on all other travel purchases, and 1x on all other purchases

• Standout feature: The Chase Sapphire Preferred now offers boosted point values through its travel portal: 1.5 cents per point for select flights and hotels (up from 1.25 cents), and up to 1.75 cents for premium cabin tickets.

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card:

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• Annual fee: $95

• Welcome offer: Large miles bonus after meeting spending requirements

• Key rewards: 2X miles on all purchases

• Standout feature: Miles transferable to travel partners

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American Express® Gold Card (rates & fees):

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• Annual fee: $325

• Welcome offer: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements

• Key rewards: 4X points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, then 1X) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1X) and 3X on booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com

• Standout feature: Up to $120 dining credit and up to $120 Uber Cash annually. An Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.

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^{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.

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Key Takeaways:

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• AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® excels in letting frequent American Airlines flyers who want to earn AAdvantage miles on their everyday purchases

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® offers versatile travel rewards

• Capital One Venture provides simple, flat-rate miles earning

• American Express® Gold Card features strong dining and groceries rewards

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Consider Using Kudos

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While the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard offers great benefits for American Airlines flyers, savvy consumers might want to maximize their rewards across all their credit cards. This is where Kudos comes in handy.

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Kudos is a free AI-powered browser extension that helps you get the most out of your credit cards when shopping online. It works with over 15,000 stores and automatically suggests the best card to use for each purchase, ensuring you earn the most rewards, points, or cash back based on your spending patterns.

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By using Kudos alongside your AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard, you can:

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1. Ensure you're always using the right card for maximum rewards
2. Discover new credit cards that align with your spending habits
3. Multiply your rewards up to 5X during exclusive "Flash Boost" events

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If you're looking to get more out of your credit cards, Kudos is the best free shopping app to use when you shop online. And, they're currently offering $20 back after your first eligible purchase — just sign-up for free with code "GET20" and make a purchase at a Boost merchant.

Our Expert Takeaway

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The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard is a solid choice for frequent American Airlines flyers who can take advantage of its travel perks and companion certificate. The welcome offer is particularly attractive, as it's earned after just one purchase and payment of the annual fee.

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However, the card's earning structure is limited outside of American Airlines purchases, and the annual fee may not be justified for infrequent travelers. For those who fly American Airlines regularly and value perks like free checked bags and preferred boarding, this card can provide significant value.

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To truly maximize your rewards, consider pairing this card with a flexible rewards card for non-American Airlines purchases, and use tools like Kudos to ensure you're always using the right card for each transaction.

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AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard FAQ

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What is the annual fee for the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard?

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The annual fee is $99.

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How do I earn miles with this card?

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You earn 2X AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1X mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

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Is there a foreign transaction fee?

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No, this card does not charge foreign transaction fees on international purchases.

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What is the companion certificate benefit?

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Each account anniversary, you can earn a companion certificate good for one guest at $99 (plus taxes and fees) with the purchase of a qualifying American Airlines domestic itinerary.

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Do I get free checked bags with this card?

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Yes, you and up to 4 companions traveling on the same domestic American Airlines itinerary get their first checked bag free.

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What credit score do I need to qualify for this card?

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While Barclays doesn't disclose specific credit score requirements, you typically need good to excellent credit (FICO scores of 670 or higher) to qualify for this card.

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Can I transfer a balance to this card?

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Yes, balance transfers are allowed, but there's no introductory APR offer. A balance transfer fee applies.

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How does the 25% inflight savings work?

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You'll receive 25% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible food and beverage purchases made during American Airlines flights when you use your card.

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Remember, while this card offers valuable benefits for American Airlines flyers, using a tool like Kudos can help you maximize rewards across all your credit cards, ensuring you're always getting the most value from your spending.