Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus 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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• The card offers valuable travel perks for American Airlines flyers, including a free first checked bag and preferred boarding.
• Cardholders receive an annual companion certificate, which helps justify the card's annual fee.
• Checking a bag on just two domestic round-trip flights per year can more than offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• A generous welcome offer that is easy to earn after meeting the initial requirements.
• Valuable travel perks when flying American Airlines, including a free first checked bag and preferred boarding.
• An annual companion certificate for domestic travel and no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.

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Cons

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• The card charges an annual fee and does not offer an introductory APR.
• Bonus rewards are limited to American Airlines purchases, making it less ideal for everyday spending.
• Key travel perks, like the companion certificate and free checked bag benefit, are restricted to domestic travel.

AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

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Categories

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When considering which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus or the Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® Red, the best choice ultimately depends on your travel habits and airline loyalty.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is best for frequent travelers who fly Southwest Airlines several times a year and want to earn rewards without committing to a premium card.
• AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: This card is ideal for frequent American Airlines flyers looking for exclusive travel perks to enhance their travel experience.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines. Cardholders can also use points for international flights with partner carriers, hotel stays, car rentals, and merchandise.

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AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: Miles earned can be used for award flights on American Airlines and its oneworld® Alliance partners. Redemptions are also available for flight upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays, and other travel experiences.

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Travel Perks

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card:
  • Points can be redeemed for flights, hotels, car rentals, and more through the Southwest travel portal.
  • This card includes a foreign transaction fee for purchases made abroad.
  • Cardholders receive two EarlyBird Check-In® services each year and get 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases.
  • This card does not offer complimentary airport lounge access.
  • You receive bonus points each year on your cardmember anniversary.
• AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®:
  • Miles can be used for flights on American Airlines and its oneworld® partners, as well as for upgrades, car rentals, and hotels.
  • This card does not have a foreign transaction fee.
  • Travel perks include a first checked bag free for the cardholder and up to four companions on domestic American Airlines flights, preferred boarding, and an annual statement credit for in-flight Wi-Fi purchases.
  • This card does not offer complimentary airport lounge access.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To ensure you're choosing the right card, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of options and find the best fit for your spending habits.

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• Test drive a credit card: Simulate how much you could earn with a card using your real spending data before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your likelihood of being approved for various cards.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores.
• Personalized matching: Receive card recommendations based on an analysis of your actual transaction history.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers and occasional Southwest flyers who want to earn rewards without committing to a high annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for those new to travel rewards or anyone aiming to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, as all points earned count toward that goal. With benefits like anniversary bonus points and EarlyBird Check-In® credits, this card provides tangible value for Southwest loyalists who fly just a few times per year.

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 flyers who want to rack up miles and enjoy travel perks. Cardholders can take advantage of benefits like a free first checked bag, preferred boarding, and an annual companion certificate, which are particularly valuable for those who frequently travel on domestic American Airlines routes. As detailed in a comprehensive review, this card is best suited for individuals with good to excellent credit who can maximize its airline-specific benefits.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red comparison has you looking for a different option, you're in the right place. We'll explore a few alternative travel cards that might be a better fit for your wallet and travel style.

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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, as most travel rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet any minimum spend requirements for a welcome offer without overspending.
• Review issuer-specific rules, as some banks have restrictions that could affect your eligibility for a new card or its bonus.

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Application Strategy

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• Align your application with large planned purchases to help meet any spending requirements naturally.
• Research the welcome offer's requirements, as they can vary from a single purchase to a larger spending goal over several months.
• Plan how you will use your rewards, whether for a specific goal like earning a companion pass or for flexible travel with transfer partners.

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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Which card is better for someone new to airline rewards?

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For beginners, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is often easier to understand, as its points have a more straightforward value. The AAdvantage Aviator Red card can offer higher potential value, but it requires more knowledge of the American Airlines AAdvantage program to maximize redemptions.

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Can I hold both the Southwest Plus and AAdvantage Aviator Red cards?

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Yes, you can have both cards at the same time since they are issued by different banks and are tied to different airline loyalty programs. This can be a good strategy if you fly frequently on both Southwest and American Airlines.

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Do the points I earn with these cards expire?

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Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire as long as your account remains open. American Airlines AAdvantage miles expire after 24 months of inactivity, but using your AAdvantage Aviator Red card is considered qualifying activity that will reset the expiration clock.

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