
Barclays American Airlines credit cards offer a range of features and fees that cater to different needs and preferences.
The Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard has a $99 annual fee, which is waived for the first year.
This card offers 50,000 bonus miles after making a single purchase within the first 90 days, redeemable for flights, upgrades, or other rewards.
You can earn 2X miles on American Airlines purchases and 1X mile on all other purchases.
The Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard also offers a $100 statement credit after making a single purchase within the first 90 days.
You can earn 2X miles on American Airlines purchases and 1X mile on all other purchases.
Here's an interesting read: How Do Airline Miles Work
Welcome Offers
The AAdvantage Aviator Red Card offers a generous welcome offer after making your first purchase within 90 days of card approval. You'll earn a bonus of 2x miles on American Airlines purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases.

If you're a small business owner, the AAdvantage Aviator Business Card has a welcome offer that's perfect for you. You'll receive a bonus of AAdvantage miles after meeting the required spending threshold.
The AAdvantage Aviator Business Card also offers a 5% mileage bonus applied to your account based on mileage earned from your spending on your card account anniversary. This is in addition to the welcome offer.
Here's a breakdown of the welcome offers for the Barclays American Airlines credit cards:
Benefits and Perks
The Barclays American Airlines card offers a range of benefits and perks that can enhance your travel experience.
First checked bag free is a great perk, allowing you and up to four companions on the same reservation to enjoy one checked bag for free on select domestic American Airlines flights.
Preferred boarding is also included, giving you and up to four companions priority boarding on all American Airlines flights.
Suggestion: Cancelling Flights

You can also get $25 back in statement credits every year for inflight Wi-Fi purchases on American Airlines, plus save 25 percent on food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights.
No foreign transaction fees mean you pay no fee on foreign transactions when making purchases abroad with this card.
Flight Cents allows you to round up purchases to the nearest dollar to earn miles faster (activation required).
Travel protection and insurance is also included, providing trip cancelation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, travel accident insurance, and collision and theft insurance on rental cars.
Earning elite status on American Airlines solely with your credit card spending is a possibility.
If you spend at least $20,000 on your card and your account remains open for 45 days after your anniversary date, you can receive a Companion Certificate for $99 (plus taxes and fees), which you can use for a domestic economy fare and which offsets the annual fee.
Discover more: How Much Is 25 Euros in American Dollars
Rewards and Earning

The AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard offers a rewards rate of 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
You can earn 60,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
With this card, you'll earn 2X AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1X AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Here's a breakdown of the rewards rate:
- 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
- 1x miles on all other purchases
No Annual Fee Miles
If you're looking to earn miles without breaking the bank, you'll want to consider credit cards with no annual fee. The American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card offers 2x miles per dollar spent on American Airlines flights and at grocery stores, all without needing to pay an annual fee.
One of the standout benefits of the MileUp Card is its earning potential, with 2x miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1x mile on all other purchases.
If this caught your attention, see: Currency Converter Usd to Nigerian Naira

Here are some key benefits of the MileUp Card:
- 2x miles per $1 on American Airlines and grocery store purchases
- 1x miles per $1 on all other purchases
- 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases
However, it's worth noting that this card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee and has a variable APR of 20.49% to 29.49%.
Annual Fee
The annual fee is a crucial aspect of the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard. It's a relatively standard $99 fee, which is on par with most other mid-tier airline credit cards.
You won't have to pay this fee for the first year, though. The card has a $0 intro for the first year, then $99 annual fee, which is a nice perk.
To put this in perspective, the fee is relatively low compared to other credit cards. However, it's essential to consider whether the benefits you'll receive will outweigh the cost.
Here are some key details about the annual fee:
Keep in mind that the annual fee is a cost you'll need to consider when deciding whether to keep the card. However, the benefits you'll receive, such as the Anniversary Companion Certificate and up to $25 in statement credits toward inflight Wi-Fi, may make the fee worthwhile.
Earn Status from Everyday Purchases

Earning status from everyday purchases is a great way to boost your rewards and benefits on American Airlines. With the right credit card, you can earn Loyalty Points from every dollar spent, regardless of the category bonus.
The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard earns 1 Loyalty Point for every dollar spent, making it a great option for earning status from everyday purchases.
If you're looking for a card with no annual fee, the AAdvantage MileUp card is a good choice. It earns 2x miles per dollar spent on American Airlines flights and at grocery stores, and 1x mile per dollar on all other purchases.
To give you a better idea of how these cards work, here's a comparison of the rewards rates:
Keep in mind that these rewards rates can change, and it's always a good idea to check the terms and conditions of the card before applying.
Travel Benefits
You can earn a decent variety of travel benefits with the Barclays American Airlines card, which can help offset the annual fee.

The card offers a solid lineup of travel perks, including a first checked bag free for you and up to four companions on select domestic American Airlines flights.
You and up to four companions are also eligible to receive preferred boarding on all American Airlines flights.
You can get $25 back in statement credits every year for inflight Wi-Fi purchases on American Airlines, plus save 25 percent on food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights.
No foreign transaction fees mean you pay no fee on foreign transactions when making purchases abroad with this card.
Flight Cents allows you to round up purchases to the nearest dollar to earn miles faster (activation required).
With this card, you'll get travel protections such as trip cancelation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, travel accident insurance, and collision and theft insurance on rental cars.
Earning elite status on American Airlines solely with your credit card spending is possible with this card.
If you spend at least $20,000 on your card and your account remains open for 45 days after your anniversary date, you can receive a Companion Certificate for $99 (plus taxes and fees), which you can use for a domestic economy fare and which offsets the annual fee.
Here's an interesting read: American Income Insurance Scams

Here are the destinations and miles required for a one-way flight from the U.S.:
Off-peak travel awards can save you plenty of miles, such as a round-trip economy class ticket to Europe for 45,000 miles during off-peak travel times.
Comparison and Overview
The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard is a great option for frequent American Airlines flyers, offering a generous welcome bonus of 50,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after making your first purchase within the first 90 days.
If you're a casual American Airlines traveler, this card is still worth considering, especially with its easy-to-earn welcome bonus and handy perks like free checked bags and a 25% discount on inflight food and beverage purchases.
The card's category bonuses aren't the most competitive, but every dollar you spend will count towards AA elite status, making it a solid choice for those looking to boost their AAdvantage balance.
With a reasonable annual fee and an easy sign-up bonus, this card is an excellent option for a wide range of travelers, including those who want to give their AAdvantage balance a boost.

Compared to other American Airlines credit cards, the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard has a lower minimum spending requirement for its welcome bonus, making it a more accessible option for those who want to start earning rewards quickly.
In comparison to the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard has a higher annual fee, but also offers a more generous welcome bonus and similar rewards rates on eligible American Airlines purchases.
Broaden your view: American Express Use Points for Travel
[ "Pros and Cons", "Pros and Cons" ]
The Barclays American Airlines credit card has its pros and cons. The welcome bonus is generous and easy to obtain, requiring no minimum spending. You can earn a solid balance transfer offer, which is a rare feature on airline credit cards.
The annual fee is $99, which is high considering you only earn 1X miles on everyday purchases. This fee might not be justified for those who don't spend a lot on their credit cards.
Cardholders get access to travel perks like inflight savings and free checked bags with this card. However, the spending requirement to earn the companion certificate is high, making it challenging to meet.
Who Is Right For?

If you're a fan of American Airlines, you might find the Barclays American Airlines credit card to be a great option. The card's benefits are tailored to American Airlines enthusiasts, making it a good choice if you only travel occasionally and don't mind sticking to one airline.
You can earn rewards without a complicated rewards structure, which makes it easier to manage your points. The card's rewards system is straightforward, and you'll earn the maximum amount of rewards from American Airlines purchases.
If you're looking to consolidate debt while still earning rewards, the card's balance transfer offer can be a game-changer. You'll have a solid amount of time to pay off your debt without feeling pressured to spend on limited-time card offers.
Here are some scenarios where the Barclays American Airlines credit card might be a good fit:
- If you only travel occasionally and don't mind sticking to American Airlines.
- If you want travel rewards without a complicated rewards structure.
- If you're looking to increase your chances of reaching elite American Airlines status through spending.
- If you're waiting until you've paid off your credit card debt before investing in travel.
Conclusion
The Barclays American Airlines credit cards are a great option for those who frequently travel on American Airlines. If you're a small business owner, you can earn miles on all your expenses with either the Citi or Barclays business credit cards.
You might enjoy: Barclays American Airlines Business Card

These cards provide additional travel perks, making them a great choice for entrepreneurs who often travel. The Barclays business credit cards are a good option to consider.
If you travel frequently on American Airlines, the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card is definitely worth looking into. It offers travel perks and lounge access that can make a big difference in your travel experience.
Ultimately, the right credit card for you will depend on your individual needs and travel habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you're considering the Barclays American Airlines credit card, you're probably wondering about the fine print. Here's what you need to know.
You can have multiple American Airlines credit cards, including the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard and the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, as long as they're issued by different banks.
Most people who open the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard have a good or excellent credit score, which translates to a FICO score of 670 or more.

To receive a free checked bag on American Airlines domestic itineraries, your card must have been opened and your reservation must have included your AAdvantage frequent flyer number at least seven days prior to your flight.
The free checked bag perk doesn't apply to overweight or oversized bags, and if you cancel your card, you'll no longer be eligible.
For another approach, see: American Airlines Bag Fees
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barclays associated with American Airlines?
No, American Airlines has dropped Barclays as its credit card partner, transitioning to Citi in 2026. Barclays was previously a dual card provider for American Airlines since its 2013 merger with US Airways.
Do you get priority boarding with an aviator card?
Yes, Aviator cardmembers and up to four companions receive preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
What credit score is needed for a Barclays American Airlines credit card?
To be approved for the American Airlines Aviator Red Card, you'll need a credit score of 700 or higher. A good credit score is essential for high approval odds, so check yours before applying.
Does the AA Aviator card have lounge access?
The AA Aviator card does not offer lounge access, but it provides other travel benefits like free checked bags on American Airlines flights.
How long does it take for Barclays American Airlines miles to post?
AAdvantage miles typically post to your account within 4-6 weeks, but may take up to 8-10 weeks.
Sources
- https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/best-american-airlines-credit-cards/
- https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/reviews/aadvantage-aviator-red-world-elite-mastercard/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/aadvantage-aviator-red-card-review
- https://www.mymoneyblog.com/barclays-aadvantage-aviator-red-mastercard-review.html
- https://www.doctorofcredit.com/barclays-american-airlines-aviator-credit-card-changes-10-rebate-being-removed/
Featured Images: pexels.com