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AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard Review: Soar to New Heights
What Is the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard?
The AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard is a premium credit card designed for business owners who frequently fly with American Airlines. This card offers a range of travel perks, miles-earning potential, and business-focused benefits that can help streamline your company's expenses while maximizing your travel rewards.
Issued by Barclays, this card is part of the AAdvantage family of credit cards, which are co-branded with American Airlines. It's tailored for businesses looking to earn miles on their everyday spending and enjoy enhanced travel experiences with American Airlines.
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AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Generous welcome bonus
- 2X miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
- 2X miles on office supply, telecom, and car rental merchant purchases
- First checked bag free for the primary cardmember and up to four companions on domestic itineraries
- Preferred boarding for the primary cardmember and up to four companions on the same reservation
- 25% inflight savings on food, beverages, and Wi-Fi purchases on American Airlines operated flights
- Companion certificate after spending $30,000 in a card membership year
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons:
- High annual fee of $95
- Limited redemption options outside of American Airlines
- Earning rate on general purchases is only 1X mile per dollar
- Companion certificate has restrictions and requires significant spending
Who Is the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard For?
This card is ideal for:
- Business owners who frequently fly with American Airlines
- Companies with significant spending on office supplies, telecommunications, and car rentals
- Entrepreneurs who value travel perks like free checked bags and preferred boarding
- Businesses looking to earn miles for employee travel or client entertaining
If your company's travel patterns align well with American Airlines' routes and you can take advantage of the card's bonus categories, the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard could be a valuable addition to your wallet.
Comparing the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard With Other Credit Cards
When considering the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the business credit card category:
Capital One Venture X Business (rates & fees):
- Annual fee: $395
- Sign-up bonus: Substantial miles bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars, and 5X on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Standout feature: 10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $95
- Sign-up bonus: Large points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 3X points on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines on the first $150,000 spent
- Standout feature: Cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (rates & fees):
- Annual fee: $695
- Welcome offer: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, 1.5X points on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more
- Standout feature: Access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide
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.
Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.
Key Takeaways:
- AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard excels in offering a range of travel perks, miles-earning potential, and business-focused benefits
- Capital One Venture X Business offers high travel rewards
- Ink Business Preferred® provides strong points on business-related categories
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express features premium travel perks
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Consider Using Kudos
While the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard offers great benefits for American Airlines flyers, it's essential to maximize your rewards across all your credit cards. This is where Kudos comes in handy.
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 maximum rewards, points, or cash back based on your spending patterns.
By using Kudos alongside your AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard, you can:
- Ensure you're always using the right card for the right purchase
- Discover new credit cards that might complement your existing portfolio
- Multiply your rewards up to 5X during exclusive "Flash Boost" events
- Make informed decisions about which card to use for non-American Airlines purchases
If you're looking to optimize your credit card rewards strategy, Kudos is an excellent tool to consider. 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
The AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard is a solid choice for businesses deeply entrenched in the American Airlines ecosystem. Its bonus earning categories for office supplies, telecommunications, and car rentals make it particularly attractive for companies with significant spending in these areas.
The card's travel perks, such as free checked bags, preferred boarding, and inflight discounts, can provide substantial value for frequent American Airlines flyers. The companion certificate, while requiring high spend, can offset the annual fee for businesses that can meet the threshold.
However, the card's value diminishes for those who don't frequently fly American Airlines or can't take advantage of the bonus categories. In such cases, a more flexible business travel card might be a better fit.
To truly maximize your rewards, consider pairing this card with a tool like Kudos. This combination can help ensure you're always using the right card for the right purchase, potentially boosting your overall rewards earning significantly.
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AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard FAQ
How do I earn miles with this card?
You earn 2X AAdvantage miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, office supply, telecom, and car rental merchant purchases. All other purchases earn 1X mile per dollar spent.
What's the annual fee for this card?
The annual fee is $95.
Does this card charge foreign transaction fees?
No, there are no foreign transaction fees with this card.
How does the companion certificate work?
After spending $30,000 in a card membership year, you'll receive a companion certificate good for one guest at $99 plus taxes and fees on domestic itineraries.
Can I add employee cards to this account?
Yes, you can add employee cards to your account. This can help you earn miles faster and manage business expenses more effectively.
How do the free checked bag and preferred boarding benefits work?
These benefits apply to the primary cardmember and up to four companions traveling on the same reservation on domestic itineraries operated by American Airlines.
Can I use my miles for flights on other airlines?
Yes, you can use AAdvantage miles on American Airlines' oneworld alliance partners and other partner airlines, although availability may be more limited than on American Airlines flights.
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. Consider downloading Kudos to optimize your overall credit card strategy and potentially earn even more rewards on your business spending.
Supercharge Your Credit Cards
Experience smarter spending with Kudos and unlock more from your credit cards. Earn $20.00 when you sign up for Kudos with "GET20" and make an eligible Kudos Boost purchase.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
