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Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great all-around travel card that earns flexible points on dining, travel, and select streaming services.
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is ideal for frequent American Airlines flyers looking to earn miles and enjoy airline-specific perks like a free checked bag and preferred boarding.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down the key reasons we recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card.
- It provides premium travel benefits, like comprehensive trip insurance and no foreign transaction fees, for a reasonable $95 annual fee.
- The rewards program is exceptionally flexible, allowing you to transfer points to numerous airline and hotel partners for potentially greater value.
- After accounting for the $50 annual hotel credit, spending around $100 per month on dining and online groceries is enough to cover the rest of the annual fee in rewards value. (publisher-formulated estimate)
Pros
- Flexible rewards program with the ability to transfer points to leading airline and hotel partners.
- Strong travel protections, including trip cancellation insurance and a primary auto rental waiver, plus no foreign transaction fees.
- Valuable everyday perks, such as an annual hotel credit and a complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription.
Cons
- Carries an annual fee that may not be worth it for those who don't travel often.
- Lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access.
- Subject to strict application rules that can make it difficult to get approved.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at what makes the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® a compelling choice for American Airlines loyalists.
- You'll receive valuable travel perks like a free first checked bag for you and up to four companions on domestic itineraries and preferred boarding on American Airlines flights.
- Cardholders receive a companion certificate each account anniversary, allowing a guest to fly for just $99 plus taxes and fees on a qualifying domestic flight.
- The $99 annual fee can be offset by checking just one bag on two domestic round-trip flights per year (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- The welcome bonus is exceptionally easy to earn, requiring just a single purchase after paying the annual fee.
- Cardholders enjoy a suite of travel perks on American Airlines, including a free first checked bag and preferred boarding.
- You receive an annual companion certificate for a guest, which provides significant savings on domestic travel.
Cons
- An annual fee applies, and the card lacks an introductory APR offer on purchases or balance transfers.
- The rewards earning rate is low for purchases made outside of American Airlines.
- Key benefits, including the companion certificate and free checked bag, are restricted to domestic American Airlines flights.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Categories
Deciding which is better, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or the Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red, depends on your travel habits and loyalty.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card is best for entry-level travel, offering flexible rewards and strong protections for those who want to maximize a variety of travel and dining purchases.
- AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: This card is designed for frequent American Airlines flyers, providing exclusive travel perks and benefits that are most valuable when flying with the airline.
Redemption
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card offers flexible redemption options, allowing you to transfer points to various airline and hotel partners, book travel directly through the Chase travel portal, or redeem for cash back and gift cards.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: Rewards earned with this card are redeemed through the American Airlines AAdvantage® program, primarily for booking award flights with American Airlines and its Oneworld® Alliance partners.
Travel Perks
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card offers a suite of travel benefits including an annual hotel credit of up to $50 on stays purchased through the Chase travel portal, no foreign transaction fees, and comprehensive travel insurance such as trip cancellation/interruption coverage and an auto rental collision damage waiver.
- AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: Perks are centered on the American Airlines travel experience. Cardholders receive their first checked bag free on domestic itineraries for themselves and up to four companions, preferred boarding, and statement credits for in-flight food and beverage purchases. It also features no foreign transaction fees and an annual companion certificate after meeting spending requirements.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
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Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want strong rewards and protections without paying a premium annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for individuals who value flexible redemption options, comprehensive travel insurance, and the convenience of no foreign transaction fees on international trips. Overall, it serves as a powerful entry-level option for those just starting with travel rewards or anyone looking to maximize value from their spending on dining and travel.
Who Should Choose the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®?
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is tailor-made for loyal American Airlines customers who fly frequently and want to accelerate their AAdvantage® mile earnings. These travelers will get the most value from perks like a free first checked bag, preferred boarding, and an annual companion certificate. As detailed in this card's review, it's best suited for individuals with good to excellent credit who can justify the $99 annual fee with their travel habits.
Alternatives to Consider
So, you've reviewed the Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red comparison and neither card is a perfect match. Fortunately, the world of travel rewards cards is full of excellent alternatives tailored to different kinds of spenders and travelers.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score – Most premium travel cards require good to excellent credit to qualify.
- Know the rules – Be aware of issuer-specific restrictions, like the Chase 5/24 rule, before you apply.
- Plan your spending – Ensure you can naturally meet the welcome offer's spending requirement without forcing purchases.
Application Strategy
- Time your application – Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending threshold naturally.
- Look for low-effort bonuses – Some cards, like the AAdvantage Aviator Red card, offer welcome bonuses after a single purchase.
- Try different application methods – If you don't get the best offer initially, try applying through a different browser or platform.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®?
Yes, you can hold both cards simultaneously since they are issued by different banks, Chase and Barclays. This can be an effective strategy to accumulate both flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® points and American Airlines AAdvantage® miles.
How do I decide between flexible travel points and airline-specific miles?
Your choice should reflect your travel patterns; flexible points offer versatility with various transfer options, while airline-specific miles are best if you are loyal to one carrier and want to access its unique perks.
Which card offers better travel protections?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is widely recognized for its robust travel protections, including primary auto rental collision damage waiver and trip delay reimbursement. The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red card's protections are generally more limited and tailored to travel with American Airlines.
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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.
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