Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier 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 for American Airlines loyalists.

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• This card comes with an annual fee(See Rates & Fees) but offers a suite of perks designed for frequent American Airlines flyers.
• Cardholders enjoy benefits like preferred boarding and a first checked bag free for themselves and up to four companions on domestic itineraries.
• You can offset the annual fee by using the anniversary companion certificate, which allows you to bring a guest for $99 plus taxes and fees on a qualifying domestic flight (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Generous welcome offer that’s easy to earn.
• Valuable travel benefits on American Airlines flights, including a first checked bag free for you and your companions, plus preferred boarding.
• Annual companion certificate for a guest on a qualifying domestic flight.

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Cons

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• The annual fee can be hard to justify unless you fly with American Airlines frequently.
• Low rewards rate on purchases outside of American Airlines.
• Key benefits like the companion certificate and free checked bag are limited to domestic itineraries.

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

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Categories

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When considering which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier or Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red, the choice ultimately depends on your airline loyalty. Each card is built to reward frequent flyers of its respective airline with tailored perks.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: This card is best for semi-frequent Southwest Airlines flyers who want to earn points and enjoy day-of-travel benefits. It serves as a strong mid-tier option for those looking to earn rewards toward elite status or the Companion Pass.
• AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: This card is designed for frequent American Airlines travelers who want to earn miles on their purchases and access exclusive travel perks. Its value is highest for those who can make the most of benefits like preferred boarding and an annual companion certificate.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed through the Southwest Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights on Southwest Airlines. Cardholders can also use their points for other travel-related purchases like international flights, hotel stays, and car rentals.

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AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: Miles are redeemed through the American Airlines AAdvantage® program for flights on American and its extensive network of partner airlines. Redemptions can also be made for seat upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays, and other exclusive travel experiences.

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Travel Perks

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• Both cards are ideal for international travel, as neither charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.
• The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red Card enhances your airport experience with a free first checked bag and preferred boarding for you and up to four companions. While Southwest already offers two free checked bags for all flyers, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier card provides two EarlyBird Check-In® services each year to help you get a better boarding position.
• The Aviator® Red Card provides an annual Companion Certificate after meeting spending requirements. In contrast, the Southwest Premier Card helps you earn toward the highly-coveted Southwest Companion Pass®, which lets a companion fly with you for only the cost of taxes and fees for up to two years.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're looking to simplify the decision-making process, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your real spending data—all without an application or a hard credit pull.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of applying through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Detailed approval odds: Get a comprehensive analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• Stackable rewards: Earn extra rewards (Kudos Boost) on top of your regular credit card rewards when you shop online.
• $100 Kickstart+ reward: Unlock a $100 reward by adding select eligible cards to your Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is designed for the semifrequent Southwest flyer who seeks a middle ground between premium perks and a moderate annual fee. This cardholder values practical travel benefits like two annual EarlyBird Check-Ins, a free first checked bag, and priority boarding, which also extend to companions on the same reservation. It's also a strong choice for those strategically working towards A-List status or the coveted Companion Pass, as detailed in this comprehensive review.

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

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The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is primarily designed for loyal American Airlines customers who fly the airline frequently enough to maximize its benefits. These travelers will find significant value in perks like a free first checked bag for themselves and up to four companions, preferred boarding, and a 25% savings on inflight purchases. For those with a good to excellent credit score, this card is a strong contender, especially if they can take advantage of the annual companion certificate for discounted travel.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red comparison has you thinking neither card is the right fit, don't worry. There are other excellent travel rewards cards to consider that might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.

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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 top-tier travel cards require good to excellent credit.
• Review the issuer's rules, since things like Chase's 5/24 rule can impact your approval.
• Consider your travel habits to make sure a card's perks and partners fit how you fly.

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Application Strategy

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• Plan for the welcome offer, as some require a single purchase while others need significant spending over several months.
• Time your application strategically to align with large planned purchases or to navigate issuer-specific timing rules.
• Look for elevated offers, as targeted promotions can provide significantly more value than standard public offers.

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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Do the points from these cards expire?

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Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire, which is a significant perk for infrequent travelers. AAdvantage miles expire after 24 months of inactivity, but simply using your Aviator Red card is enough to keep your miles active.

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Which airline has a better route network?

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Southwest Airlines primarily focuses on domestic routes within the U.S., with additional service to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. American Airlines, as part of the oneworld alliance, offers a vast global network with extensive international destinations.

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Can I transfer points between Southwest and American Airlines?

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No, you cannot transfer points or miles directly between the Southwest Rapid Rewards and American Airlines AAdvantage programs. They are entirely separate loyalty programs tied to their respective airlines.

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