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AAdvantage® Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard Review: Is It Worth the Annual Fee?
What Is the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard?
The AAdvantage® Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard is a premium travel credit card designed for frequent American Airlines flyers. This card offers a range of benefits tailored to enhance your travel experience, from earning AAdvantage miles on purchases to enjoying perks like free checked bags and preferred boarding. As a World Elite Mastercard, it also comes with additional travel and lifestyle benefits that can add significant value for the right cardholder.
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AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Earn 3X AAdvantage miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
- Earn 2X miles on hotels and car rentals
- Free checked bag for the primary cardmember and up to 8 companions on the same reservation
- $99 companion certificate after spending $20,000 in a card membership year
- $25 in-flight food and beverage credits per year
- Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every 5 years
- No foreign transaction fees
- Opportunity to earn Loyalty Points towards AAdvantage elite status
Cons:
- High annual fee of $199
- Limited bonus categories for earning miles
- Companion certificate requires significant spending to earn
- No introductory APR offer for purchases or balance transfers
Who Is the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard® For?
The AAdvantage® Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard is ideal for frequent American Airlines flyers who want to maximize their travel rewards and enjoy premium perks. This card is particularly well-suited for:
- Loyal American Airlines customers who fly multiple times a year
- Travelers who often check bags and can benefit from the free checked bag perk
- Those aiming to earn or maintain AAdvantage elite status through Loyalty Points
- Individuals who spend enough to offset the annual fee with card benefits and earned miles
- International travelers who appreciate no foreign transaction fees
Comparing the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard With Other Credit Cards
When considering the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the premium travel card category:
The 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
- Standout feature: Extensive airport lounge access and hotel elite status
- 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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- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees):
- Annual fee: $395
- Sign-up bonus: Large miles bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X on vacation rentals and on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Standout feature: Annual travel credit and 10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®:
- Annual fee: $550
- Sign-up bonus: Substantial points bonus after meeting spending requirements
- Key rewards: 3X points on travel and dining
- Standout feature: $300 annual travel credit and 50% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel℠
- 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:
- AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard excels in offering a range of benefits tailored to enhance your travel experience
- The Platinum Card from American Express offers premium travel perks
- Capital One Venture X provides high rewards on travel bookings
- Chase Sapphire Reserve features flexible travel credits and point redemptions
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Consider Using Kudos
While the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard offers valuable benefits for American Airlines loyalists, savvy travelers should also consider using Kudos, a free AI-powered browser extension, to maximize their credit card rewards across all their online shopping.
Kudos works seamlessly with over 15,000 stores and automatically suggests the best credit card to use for each purchase, ensuring you earn the most rewards, points, or cash back based on your spending patterns. This can be particularly useful when you're shopping outside of the bonus categories offered by your AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Silver Mastercard®.
Moreover, Kudos offers exclusive "Flash Boost" events where you can multiply your rewards up to 5X, potentially earning even more than you would with your airline-specific credit card for certain purchases.
If you're looking to get more out of your credit cards, including your AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard, Kudos is the best free shopping app to use when you shop online. 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 Silver Mastercard offers substantial value for frequent American Airlines flyers who can take full advantage of its perks and earning potential. The free checked bags, companion certificate, and ability to earn Loyalty Points towards elite status can easily offset the annual fee for the right user.
However, the high annual fee and limited bonus categories may make it less appealing for casual travelers or those who aren't loyal to American Airlines. For these individuals, a more flexible travel rewards card might be a better fit.
To truly maximize your rewards, consider pairing the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard with a tool like Kudos. This combination allows you to earn top rewards on your American Airlines purchases while also optimizing your earnings across all your online shopping.
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AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard FAQ
How do I earn the $99 companion certificate?
You can earn the companion certificate by spending $20,000 on purchases during your card membership year and keeping your account open for 45 days after your anniversary date.
How many free checked bags do I get with this card?
The primary cardmember and up to 8 companions on the same reservation each get one free checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries.
Does this card help me earn AAdvantage elite status?
Yes, you earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage mile earned on purchases, which counts towards AAdvantage elite status qualification.
Are there any foreign transaction fees?
No, the AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Silver Mastercard® does not charge foreign transaction fees.
Can I use the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit for someone else?
Yes, you can use the up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck for yourself or anyone else – it doesn't have to be used for the primary cardmember.
By leveraging the benefits of the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard and complementing it with tools like Kudos, you can create a powerful strategy to maximize your travel rewards and enhance your overall flying experience with American Airlines.
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.