Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red: Which Is Better In 2025?

AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® a compelling choice.

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• While this card has an annual fee, it helps you save on international trips by not charging foreign transaction fees.
• Cardholders receive valuable travel perks like a free first checked bag and preferred boarding on domestic American Airlines flights.
• You can earn a companion certificate each account anniversary, allowing a guest to fly with you on a qualifying domestic itinerary for a reduced price plus taxes and fees.

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Pros

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• A generous welcome offer that's easy to earn.
• A suite of travel benefits for American Airlines flyers, including preferred boarding and a free first checked bag for you and your companions.
• An annual companion certificate that allows a guest to fly with you on a qualifying domestic trip for a reduced fare.

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Cons

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• An annual fee is required.
• The rewards earning rate is limited on purchases not made directly with American Airlines.
• Benefits are primarily focused on American Airlines, offering less value for those who fly with other carriers.

AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant or Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red, comes down to your travel style and brand loyalty. Each card excels in a different area, catering to distinct types of travelers.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is built for frequent travelers who prefer staying with the Marriott family of hotels. It's a high-end option that delivers its best value through luxury hotel perks and elite status benefits.
• AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is best for those seeking exclusive travel perks, especially frequent American Airlines flyers. The card's benefits are designed to improve the travel experience specifically with that airline.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Points are primarily redeemed for free nights at hotels and resorts within the extensive Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. You can also transfer points to a variety of airline loyalty programs.

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AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: Miles earned with this card are redeemed through the American Airlines AAdvantage® program for award flights on American and its Oneworld® alliance partners. Other redemption options, like upgrades and car rentals, are also available.

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Travel Perks

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This card offers a robust luxury travel ecosystem. Cardholders get a Priority Pass Select membership for global airport lounge access and receive an annual credit for stays at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Each year after your card renewal month, you also get a Free Night Award. The card comes with no foreign transaction fees and grants automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, which provides benefits like room upgrades and late checkout.
• AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: The ecosystem for this card is built around the American Airlines flying experience. While it doesn't include lounge membership, it provides a first checked bag free for the cardholder and up to four companions on domestic American Airlines itineraries, as well as preferred boarding. Cardholders can earn an annual Companion Certificate after meeting spending requirements, though taxes and fees apply. The card also has no foreign transaction fees and offers statement credits for in-flight Wi-Fi purchases on American Airlines operated flights.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial companion platform that helps users compare nearly 3,000 credit cards, offering personalized recommendations based on real spending data.

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• Test drive a credit card to simulate potential rewards using your actual spending data before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring that if you find a better public offer within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward for adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points by shopping with Kudos Boost.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is tailor-made for frequent travelers loyal to the Marriott brand, particularly those who stay at least five to ten nights per year. Its value is most apparent for cardholders who can maximize its luxury perks, including automatic Platinum Elite status, airport lounge access, and a monthly dining credit. Ultimately, this premium travel card is best for individuals whose spending and travel habits align perfectly with its benefits, allowing them to easily justify the annual fee.

Who Should Choose the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®?

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The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is tailor-made for loyal American Airlines customers who fly the airline often enough to rack up miles quickly. Cardholders can maximize its value by taking advantage of key travel perks, such as a free first checked bag, preferred boarding, and an annual companion certificate. According to a Kudos review, this card is best for those with good to excellent credit who can fully utilize its airline-specific benefits.

Alternatives to Consider

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After our Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red comparison, you might find that neither card is quite right for your wallet. If that's the case, several other travel rewards cards are worth considering.

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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}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit history.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend to earn the welcome offer.
• Review the benefits - Ensure the card’s perks, like elite status or airline benefits, align with your travel habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application - Apply before large planned purchases or trips to help meet spending requirements and use benefits immediately.
• Know the issuer rules - Be aware of policies like Amex’s welcome offer restrictions or how a Barclays card fits into your overall strategy.
• Use the right application method - Some application paths let you see your offer before a hard credit inquiry, minimizing risk.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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What is a co-branded credit card?

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A co-branded credit card is a partnership between a credit card issuer, like American Express or Barclays, and a specific brand, such as Marriott or American Airlines. These cards offer rewards and benefits tailored to that brand's loyalty program.

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Should I get a hotel credit card or an airline credit card?

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The best choice depends on your travel habits; if you have strong loyalty to a specific airline, an airline card is great, but if you prefer flexibility in where you stay, a hotel card might be more valuable. Consider which type of travel you do more often and where you spend the most money.

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Which loyalty program is better, Marriott Bonvoy or American Airlines AAdvantage?

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Neither program is definitively better, as they serve different purposes—one for hotel stays and the other for flights. The superior program for you will depend entirely on whether you prioritize accommodations or air travel for your reward redemptions.

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