AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard Bonus: Up To 75K Miles

AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard Bonus: Up To 75K Miles

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As far as US airlines go, American is in the unique position of having co-branded credit cards with two issuers. This came after the merger of American and US Airways, as American’s credit cards were issued by Citi, while US Airways’ credit cards were issued by Barclays. American made the decision to have a non-exclusive co-brand agreement, thinking that would maximize profits.

American has different marketing agreements with both issuers, though. For example, Citi products can be advertised on American’s website, through the mail, and in Admirals Clubs, while Barclays products can be advertised in airports and on flights. For those interesting in picking up one of these cards, there’s a good new bonus on the most popular Barclays American Airlines credit card.

Aviator Red Mastercard welcome bonus

The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard currently has a two-part welcome bonus:

  • Earn 60,000 bonus miles after making a single purchase within the first 90 days
  • Earn an additional 15,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user and having them make a purchase on their card within the first 90 days

The card has a $99 annual fee, which isn’t waived for the first year. The 75K bonus miles offer is the best I recall seeing on the card, though admittedly that does require adding an authorized user, and having them make a purchase. See this post for restrictions on getting approved for AAdvantage cards.

Note that while spending on the card can earn you Loyalty Points (and you can even earn AAdvantage elite status exclusively through credit card spending), the bonus miles won’t qualify as Loyalty Points.

Best for AA road warriors Get an Admirals Club membership and access the clubs every time you fly American
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Best for business expenses Earn 2x AA miles on car rentals, gas stations, and cable and satellite providers
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®

AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard benefits

The Aviator Red Mastercard offers a bunch of benefits, including the following:

  • First checked bag free for you and up to four companions on a domestic itinerary
  • Preferred boarding for you and up to four companions on a domestic itinerary
  • 2x miles for American Airlines purchases
  • 25% inflight savings on food and beverages
  • $25 back as statement credits on American inflight Wi-Fi purchases every cardmember year
  • Earn an anniversary companion certificate each anniversary year good for one guest at $99 (plus taxes and fees) after spending $20,000 on purchases; your account must remain open for 45 days after your anniversary date
Get preferred boarding with the Aviator Red Mastercard

How valuable is the American companion certificate?

As you can see, the major incentive to spend money on the Aviator Red Mastercard is a companion certificate. Personally I wouldn’t go through the effort of spending money on the card for that, given all the restrictions:

  • It’s only valid for travel within the lower 48 (the Alaska Airlines companion certificate is valid for travel anywhere Alaska flies)
  • It’s only valid for a roundtrip ticket in economy
  • You have to book your ticket through American Airlines Meeting Services, so it can’t be booked online
  • The certificate is valid for one year from the date of issue
  • You have to pay $99 plus taxes and fees when redeeming it
  • The companion booked with this certificate isn’t eligible for mileage accrual or upgrades
The companion certificate is only valid for economy travel

Bottom line

The Aviator Red Mastercard is offering an excellent welcome bonus of up to 75,000 AAdvantage bonus miles. You earn 60,000 bonus miles after making a purchase, and an extra 15,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user and having them make a purchase. This is a great initial bonus, though there’s not much reason to keep this card in the long-run, in my opinion.

If you prefer a card with an annual fee waived the first year but a higher spend requirement, consider one of the co-branded Citi AAdvantage Cards.

Conversations (11)
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  1. Cory Guest

    Hi –
    Please consider using my link for the 75k (60k+15k) sign-up bonus!
    I think the public offer is gone, but my referral link is still active and working!
    Hurry! I saw a rumor that this offer will end on 01/31/2024.

    Thanks very much to Ben and to anyone who uses my link!

    https://www.applyaviator.com/referafriend?referrid=56e0ef3d-0eb1-4555-aadf-f86709289d4d

  2. Jesse Guest

    If you want to help a Veteran, here is my referral link. Thanks!

    https://www.applyaviator.com/referafriend?referrid=3c9856cd-30e7-46e5-9229-70c39849d827

  3. David Guest

    Hi! Is this offer still available? Link doesn't seem to be working

  4. Petey Kay Guest

    Not a fan of credit cards but succumbed for a second time to the high mileage blandishments. Looking forward to adding 75,000 AA miles soon.

  5. Brian Guest

    Seems weak to only get one $25 wifi credit per year. A transcon charges $25 for wifi per flight. Also 2x points for airfare isnt that exciting. I dont recall their trip delay coverage or lack of rental car insurance being impressive.

  6. Anthony Diamond

    Ben you should review the JetBlue Plus card, with the 70K bonus offer. I applied and was approved after getting approved for the JetBlue/Delta status match. All things considered, 70K JetBlue miles is a pretty good offer, and I get a $99 statement credit due to the status match, so it is essentially a no annual fee card.

  7. BenjaminGuttery Diamond

    Are AA & Barclay's ever going to refresh their cards? I mean they hacked away 70% of the offerings, and now only 2 or the 3 left are available for new applications. So weird. If I'm going to get this card, I want to make sure they will stay partners for the foreseeable future.

  8. Mike Guest

    In case you've had this card in the past... here is some language from the T&C:

    Bonus AAdvantage® Miles and Incentives

    From time to time, we may offer bonuses of AAdvantage® miles or other incentives to new American Airlines AAdvantage® Aviator® Red Mastercard cardmembers in connection with an application for a new card account. These bonuses and/or incentives are intended for applicants who are not and have not previously been American Airlines AAdvantage® Aviator® Red...

    In case you've had this card in the past... here is some language from the T&C:

    Bonus AAdvantage® Miles and Incentives

    From time to time, we may offer bonuses of AAdvantage® miles or other incentives to new American Airlines AAdvantage® Aviator® Red Mastercard cardmembers in connection with an application for a new card account. These bonuses and/or incentives are intended for applicants who are not and have not previously been American Airlines AAdvantage® Aviator® Red Mastercard cardmembers. You understand and agree that you may no longer be eligible for any bonuses and/or incentives in connection with a new American Airlines AAdvantage® Aviator® Red Mastercard account after this Card Account is opened. If you receive a bonus or incentive for which you are not eligible due to your status as a current or former American Airlines AAdvantage® Aviator® Red Mastercard cardmember, we may revoke the bonus or incentive, or reduce your AAdvantage® miles by the amount of the bonus or incentive, or charge your Card Account for the fair value of the bonus or incentive, in our sole discretion.

    1. Andrew Guest

      Hmmm... I had it like 4 years ago. Wonder if it's worth the risk.

    2. Shaheed Hasan Guest

      I applied and was approved right away then another page came in and asked if I wanted to add an authorized user. If I do, I would get an additional 15K miles for the additional card member. I accepted the offer right away and have been waiting ever since.
      I called in but they had no answer. The agent opened a ticket and lets see what happens.

    3. IrishAlan Diamond

      So far this is why I keep the Barclays Aviator card constant and churn the Citi AAdvantage card every 2 years. Hoping Citi doesn’t close that loop soon.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Shaheed Hasan Guest

I applied and was approved right away then another page came in and asked if I wanted to add an authorized user. If I do, I would get an additional 15K miles for the additional card member. I accepted the offer right away and have been waiting ever since. I called in but they had no answer. The agent opened a ticket and lets see what happens.

0
Cory Guest

Hi – Please consider using my link for the 75k (60k+15k) sign-up bonus! I think the public offer is gone, but my referral link is still active and working! Hurry! I saw a rumor that this offer will end on 01/31/2024. Thanks very much to Ben and to anyone who uses my link! https://www.applyaviator.com/referafriend?referrid=56e0ef3d-0eb1-4555-aadf-f86709289d4d

0
Jesse Guest

If you want to help a Veteran, here is my referral link. Thanks! https://www.applyaviator.com/referafriend?referrid=3c9856cd-30e7-46e5-9229-70c39849d827

0
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