AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard®
Best For: Business owners that frequently fly American Airlines
| Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 17.99% or 26.99% Variable | $95 | Good - Excellent |
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® is best for business owners who fly primarily with American Airlines. This card offers up to 60,000 introductory miles and up to 2x miles on American Airlines purchases. Cardholders can also earn an additional 5% on total purchases each anniversary. This card has a $95 annual fee.
Although this card offers robust introductory bonus miles, it has a lower ongoing rewards rate than some of the top travel cards in this category. The best business credit cards provide ongoing rewards up to 5x miles on airline purchases. This card’s annual fee is low and the additional features offered such as free first checked bag and priority boarding are some of the most useful for travel. We rate this card 4 stars out of 5.
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How We Evaluated the AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard®
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® card offers top-rated introductory rewards of 50,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. You’ll also earn an additional 10,000 miles after adding an employee card within the first 30 days and making a purchase with it within the first 90 days. When rating this small business credit card, we also considered the ongoing rewards, fees, APR, and additional features for this card as well.
The criteria we used to evaluate this Barclays business credit card includes:
- Ongoing rewards: The rewards you earn for using your AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard®. This card earns 2x miles for purchases on American Airlines, office supplies, telecom, and car rental merchants, and 1x miles on all other purchases.
- Introductory rewards: The rewards you’ll receive as a sign-up bonus for opening the card account. This card offers 50,000 bonus miles for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening, and 10,000 miles for making a purchase on an employee card within the first 30 days of account opening.
- Additional benefits: Any added perks you get that increase the value of the card. The AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® features perks like a free first checked bag and discounted companion certificates.
- Annual fee: The fee you’re charged as a cost of ownership. This card charges a relatively low fee of $95.
- Introductory annual percentage rate (APR): Whether the card offers 0% introductory APR on purchases and/or balance transfers. This card offers no intro APR.
- Ongoing APR: The cost of financing purchases on this card. This card offers a variable APR of 17.99% or 26.99% which is slightly above the average.
It’s no doubt that the AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard®’s strong point is the introductory rewards and added perks. This card’s maximum ongoing rewards of 2x miles are skimpy compared to other travel rewards cards like the JetBlue Business Card, which offers 6x miles for every dollar spent on JetBlue purchases. Business owners looking to earn a higher rate should consider that card.
How We Evaluate Travel Rewards Business Credit Cards
When evaluating the best travel cards, introductory rewards, ongoing rewards, and additional benefits are weighted the heaviest. These features affect the value you’ll get by using the card the most. The AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® offers great introductory rewards and valuable additional perks, but an introductory APR offer would really raise this card’s score.
We graded the AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® using the following methodology:
Grading Criteria | Card Score | Highest Possible Score |
|---|---|---|
20 | 25 | |
25 | 25 | |
20 | 25 | |
15 | 15 | |
0 | 5 | |
3 | 5 | |
Total Score | 83 | 100 |
Based on our five-star rating system where 20 points equals one star, the AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® needs higher ongoing rewards to earn 4.5 stars. In cases where cards receive perfect scores in most categories, we may award bonus points to boost the card’s rating.
Just like the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard® this card earns maximum ongoing rewards of 2x miles on select categories. Both cards are almost identical in fee and benefits structure. The AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® allows owners to earn extra perks through Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs). EQDs can be redeemed through the AAdvantage program for benefits like even more free checked bags.
Who the AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® Is Right For
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® is best for owners who fly regularly with American Airlines. Cardholders will not only earn miles redeemable for airfare, but they’ll also earn Elite Qualifying Miles redeemable for tiered elite flight status. It’s also good for owners looking to receive bonus rewards with a low spending threshold. Owners will only need to spend $1,000 to receive the bulk of the introductory rewards.
Alternatives to the AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard®
Depending on your business’s needs, you may need other things that this card doesn’t cover. Other cards offer no-interest introductory APR, higher ongoing rewards, and lower ongoing APR. Some business cards offer additional features like TSA Pre✓® credits that this card is lacking. Businesses looking to earn travel rewards with more than just American Airlines should consider an alternative card.
Three alternatives to AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® are:
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®
Best For: Frequent American Airlines flyers who want premium airline perks
| Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 16.99% - 25.99% Variable | $0 for the first year, then $99 | Good - Excellent |
The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard® is great for businesses that want to earn miles with a co-branded American Airlines card, but with a Citibank provider instead. This card also offers an excellent introductory bonus up to 60,000 miles and additional features like free first checked bags and early boarding. It has benefits that its Barclays companion does not like discounted in-flight Wi-Fi purchases and a slightly lower ongoing APR.
Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business
Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business
Best For: Unlimited 2x miles with every swipe
| Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 20.99% (Variable) | $0 intro for first year; $95 after that | Excellent, Good |
Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business is best for businesses that want to earn fixed-rate rewards on all purchases. Cardholders earn travel rewards that can be used for any airline, including American Airlines, without blackout dates or seat restrictions. It also offers additional perks like extended warranty protection, reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® membership, purchase protection, and car rental insurance. This card’s annual fee is waived the first year and is $95 after that.
The Business Platinum® Card from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Best For: Gaining access to unrivaled travel rewards and luxury travel perks like airport lounge access
| Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | $595 | Good, Excellent |
The Business Platinum® Card from American Express is great for businesses that want to earn the top rewards with premium benefits. This card offers the best ongoing rewards rate at 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com and 75,000 bonus points for spending $15,000 in the first three months. This charge card has no APR and requires payment in full each month. Businesses that can handle the hefty annual fee of $595 and utilize its extensive travel benefits should consider this card.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® Costs
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® offers an APR that is slightly above average, but cardholders get an annual fee that’s among the lowest available for a travel card. Since it has no foreign transaction fees, it’s good for international travelers. Like most business cards, the employee cards are free. This card has no 0% introductory APR offer, which is not unusual for business travel cards.
Financing costs and fees on the AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® include:
- Introductory APR: None
- Ongoing APR: 17.99% or 26.99% APR variable, which changes with the prime rate
- Annual fee: $95
- Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Foreign transaction fee: None
- Late fee: $19 for account balances below $250 and $39 for account balances $250 and above
- Penalty APR: None
Unlike the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®, this card doesn’t waive the first year’s annual fee. The lack of intro APR makes this card a less appealing option for balance transfers. Owners looking to transfer a balance should consider a card like the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®, which offers 0% introductory APR for nine billing cycles.
How to Avoid Paying Interest on the AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard®
Business owners should pay off the entire balance within 20 days from the statement closing date to avoid interest charges. Grace periods don’t include balances resulting from cash advances, balance transfers, or purchases made with convenience checks. Although some cards offer longer grace periods, 20 days is fairly standard.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® Rewards
AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® cardholders will earn the maximum rewards when they make American Airlines purchases. This card also offers its best rewards on purchases for office supplies, telecommunications, and in the unique category of car rentals. If you can take advantage of the full intro rewards offer, it’s worth at least $600 in travel. It’s a solid option when compared to other travel cards that don’t offer as many introductory rewards.
Introductory Rewards
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® offers 50,000 bonus miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days. Owners also get an additional 10,000 bonus miles when a purchase is made on an employee card within the first 30 days. American Airlines loyalists may like the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard® which also has an introductory rewards as high as 60,000 bonus miles upon sign up.
Ongoing Rewards
Earn the following rewards when using your AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard®:
- 2x miles on American Airlines purchases
- 2x miles for every one dollar spent for eligible office supply, telecom and car rental purchases
- 1x miles on all other purchases
- 5% AAdvantage® mileage bonus earned every year after your account anniversary date
- $3,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars after spending $25,000 on purchases each calendar year
Like the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®, this card’s maximum ongoing rewards are 2x miles. Both cards offer ongoing rewards rates that fall short of the best, which typically offers up to 5x miles on select spending categories. While the AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® offers a 5% mileage bonus each anniversary on purchases made throughout the year, the Citibank version offers no yearly bonus miles.
Cardholders have a unique ability to earn $3,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) after spending $25,000 on purchases each calendar year. EQDs are separate from miles and have no monetary value, but can be used for AAdvantage Elite Status perks, including priority boarding. Cardholders can earn up to $3,000 EQDs per calendar year. They can then be used for one of four elite statuses, including Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum.
Rewards Restrictions
Your account will not earn rewards for purchases under the following conditions:
- Merchants that rent motor homes or other recreational vehicles don’t qualify for 2x miles
- Purchases made through travel agencies, tour operators and online third party travel sites don’t qualify for 2x miles
- Balances transfers
- Cash advances or interest and fees
- Monetary instruments including traveler’s checks and money orders
- Lottery tickets or gaming activity
- Abusive or fraudulent activity
Although there’s no limit on the number of miles you can earn, the rewards expire if there is no mileage earning or redeeming activity at least once every 18 months on your account. Lottery tickets and gaming activity is deemed invalid and unable to accrue rewards with most business cards. Most cards don’t earn rewards on balance transfers. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card is an exception to that rule and allows you to earn rewards on balance transfers.
How You Can Redeem Your Rewards
The four ways you can redeem your miles are:
- American Airlines flights: Earned miles can be redeemed for flights without blackout dates or seat restrictions. You can book a one-way flight with as little as 7,500 miles
- Affiliate airline flights: Redeem miles to book travel with one of American Airlines partners, including Cathay Pacific Airways, British Airway, Finnair, Qantas, S7 Airlines, Japan Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines
- Upgrades: Redeem miles for seat upgrades to either business class or first class on American Airlines or an affiliate airline. Upgrades start for as low as 5,000 miles on a full fare economy ticket and 15,000 + $75 on a discounted economy ticket
- Hotels, car rentals, vacation packages: Book hotels and car reservations online to use your miles instead of cash
Elite Qualifying Dollars can also be redeemed for additional free checked bags, and boarding upgrades. To use your miles book hotel reservation and redeem rewards, visit the American Airlines AAdvantage miles website.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® Additional Features
The best travel cards offer valuable perks that owners can use to make business travel more comfortable. The AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® offers valuable features, including early boarding, free checked bags, discounted companion certificate, and discounted inflight purchases. This card doesn’t offer free airport lounge access, but cardholders can earn upgrades through the AAdvantage elite status program.
In an effort to obtain as much information as possible, we conducted a thorough search online. Unlike other issuers, Barclays does not disclose all the benefits information offered before you receive the card. Cardholders should refer to their guide to benefits for detailed information on all available benefits.
First Checked Bag Free
You’ll get one free checked bag for you and up to four companions on eligible bags when traveling with American Airlines on domestic itineraries as long as they’re listed on the same reservation. Like CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®, cardholders can save $25 per first checked bag on American Airlines domestic flights. Refer to your guide to benefits for more information.
This benefit can save business owners up to $125 in baggage fees. This perk does not extend to bags that are oversized and overweight. It also can’t be combined with existing AAdvantage® elite program benefits, or premium cabin benefits, including any waiver of baggage charges.
Companion Certificate
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® offers a companion ticket that can be used for airfare for one guest after spending $30,000 on eligible purchases. This ticket can be booked on domestic flights within the 48 states that American Airlines services. Companion certificates will cost you $99 plus $21.60 to $43.40 in government taxes and fees. It’s redeemable after your account anniversary every year.
The account needs to be open 45 days after the anniversary to qualify. Once you’ve met the spending requirements, you’ll receive your companion ticket within eight to 10 weeks. This ticket must be used within a year or it will be invalid. Some cards, like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card, offer companion passes every time you purchase or redeem points for a flight. Owners looking to get more companion passes should consider an alternate card.
Preferred Boarding
Cardholders are allowed to board before the main cabin tickets. You and up to four customers booked on the same reservation get to board in Group Five before economy class boards. Priority boarding is a feature that’s exclusive to airline affiliated credit cards. Cards like the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card do not offer features that include priority boarding.
Discounted Inflight Purchases
Business owners get 25% off American Airline inflight purchases including food and beverages, but it doesn’t include Wi-Fi access or inflight entertainment. This discount applies to domestic flights operated by American Airlines and affiliate airlines, including, Compass Airlines, LLC, Envoy Air Inc., Mesa Airlines, Piedmont Airlines, PSA Airlines, Republic Airlines, or SkyWest Airlines.
AAdvantage Elite Status Benefits
As an AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® cardmember, you can earn Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) that can be used for American Airlines tiered elite statuses. Elite status comes with additional free checked bags, priority boarding, and seat upgrades. Cardholders earn $3,000 in anniversary EQDs when they spend $25,000 in a calendar year. Earn EQDs plus Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) to qualify for elite status.
The AAdvantage elite status tiers are:
- AAdvantage® Executive Platinum: Requires a minimum of 15,000 EQDs. Includes four one-way systemwide upgrades, 100-hour upgrade window, complimentary auto-requested upgrades, 120% elite mileage bonus, complimentary Main Cabin Extra and Preferred Seats, three free checked bags, and Additional rewards starting at 150,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs).
- AAdvantage® Platinum Pro: Requires a minimum of 9,000 EQDs. Complimentary auto-requested upgrades, 72-hour upgrade window, 80% elite mileage bonus, complimentary Main Cabin Extra and Preferred Seats, and two free checked bags.
- AAdvantage® Platinum: Requires a minimum of 6,000 EQDs. Includes complimentary auto-requested upgrades on flights 500 miles or less, 48-hour upgrade window, 60% elite mileage bonus, complimentary Main Cabin Extra, Preferred Seats, and two free checked bags.
- AAdvantage® Gold: Requires a minimum of 3,000 EQDs. Includes complimentary auto-requested upgrades on flights 500 miles or less, 24-hour upgrade window, 40% elite mileage bonus, complimentary Main Cabin Extra, Seats at check-in, complimentary Preferred Seats, and one free checked bag.
Elite Qualifying Dollars act as an added bonus for making purchases and are separate from your earned miles. EQDs are awarded based on ticket price, and EQMs represent a percentage of the actual miles flown. The Flights marketed by Oneworld® carriers will earn EQDs based on a percentage of the flight distance and the fare class purchased. EQDs are awarded based on ticket price including base fare and carrier fees on American Airlines-marketed flights.
Adding AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® Employee Cards
Businesses can request free employee cards under the optional services section on the online application. Additional cards can also be added later by requesting them from Barclays by phone or online. Employers can control employee expenses by setting spending limits and location restrictions on each card. There is no limit to the number of employee cards that can be ordered.
Most issuers offer complimentary employee cards, but Barclays offers an additional 10,000 mile bonus for adding and using the first employee card. Compared to other travel cards, this is a bonus that’s unique to this issuer. Since employee card purchases earn miles as well, businesses will be able to earn miles faster.
What AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® is Missing
This card falls short because it offers no introductory APR and a few premium features. Unlike the United MileagePlus® Club Business Card, which offers free United club access, this card doesn’t offer airport lounge access. It also doesn’t offer TSA Pre✓ ® reimbursement, and its ongoing rewards of 2x miles is lower than the best rewards cards.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® Reviews
After searching from a variety of sources online, we collected user reviews that are generally positive. Some cardholders like the Elite Qualifying Dollars program and the ability to earn extra bonuses. Users like the introductory offer the most, but consider the ongoing rewards of 2x miles earned from American Airlines purchases a bit low.
How to Apply for the AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard®
You can apply online with Barclays by filling out a basic application containing both business and personal information, and you could be approved instantly. Once you get a business credit card, you’ll receive your card in the mail within seven to 10 days. You can check on the status of your application online or by calling 800-307-0341.
How to Log In to Your AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® Account
To manage and view your AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® account, log in by visiting Barclays Bank online and entering in your username and password. Contact customer service at 866-928-8598 if you have any issues logging in.
Other Barclays Business Credit Cards
This provider offers two other credit cards. Other Barclays business cards come with rewards earning capability and low annual fees. They also offer great introductory rewards and bonuses.
The other Barclays business credit cards are:
- JetBlue Business Card: Best for business owners who fly primarily with Jetblue. There is an annual fee of $99.
- Hawaiian Airlines® Business Mastercard®: Best for business owners who fly frequently with Hawaiian Airlines®. There is an annual fee of $99.
Bottom Line
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® is best for business owners who fly primarily with American Airlines and want to earn excellent introductory rewards worth at least $600. Although the 2x miles on American Airlines purchases is lower than the best travel cards, it offers bonus rewards and features that make this card worth it.
For rates and fees on The Business Platinum® Card from American Express, please click here.
