The Barclays Aviator AAdvantage Business Card offers nice travel perks if you fly American Airlines at least a few times per year.
The welcome bonus increased to 80,000 miles and a $95 statement credit after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days.
This card offers you free checked bags, preferred boarding, a 25% in-flight savings for food and drinks, no foreign transaction fees, and complimentary employee cards.
We have a lot to cover, so let’s dive right in.
Table of Contents
- Earn up to 80,000 Miles + $95 Statement Credit After Spending $2,000 in the First 90 Days
- 2x Miles on American Airlines and at Eligible Office Supply, Telecom, and Car Rental Companies
- Free Checked Bag on Domestic Flights & Preferred Boarding on All Flights for You & Four Companions
- 25% In-Flight Savings on Food and Drinks
- 5% AAdvantage Mileage Bonus Every Anniversary
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- $95 Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus of 80,000 Miles + $95
The AAdvantage Aviator Business card offers a welcome bonus of up to 80,000 AAdvantage bonus miles and a $95 statement credit (to offset the annual fee) when you spend $2,000 in the first 90 days.
Earning AAdvantage Miles
The AAdvantage Aviator Business card earns:
- 2 miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases.
- 2 miles per dollar at eligible office supply, telecom and car rental merchants.
- 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Earn Loyalty Points Through Credit Card Spending
Barclays has several co-branded AAdvantage cards that earn Loyalty Points, including the Aviator Business Card.
It’s now easy to obtain AAdvantage elite status through credit card spending, flying, and engaging with AAdvantage partners with the revamped AAdvantage loyalty program.
Simply use your Aviator Business Card to book flights with American Airlines and partner airlines. Or book cruises, stay in partner hotels, and shop online at the AA shopping portal. The AAdvantage loyalty program offers many other ways to rack up Loyalty Points.
Each eligible AAdvantage mile earns you one Loyalty Point. Welcome bonuses and bonus points in bonus categories do not earn Loyalty Points.
Aviator Business Card Benefits
First Checked Bag Free
Cardholders and up to four companions on the same reservation can check their first bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries. International trips are not covered.
This is a great perk if you’re a frequent American flyer as American Airlines typically charges $30 for the first checked bag.
For example, a family of four would save $240 on bag fees on a single round-trip.
Preferred Boarding
You and four companions traveling on the same reservation get to board with Group 5 (Preferred Boarding).
Early boarding privilege makes your journey smoother and gives you time to secure some overhead space for your carry-on luggage.
This benefit is good for all American Airlines flights, not just domestic flights like the checked bag benefit.
25% In-Flight Savings
You’ll get 25% savings as statement credits if you buy food and drinks on American flights with your Aviator Business Card.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
This card has no foreign transaction fees on purchases outside the U.S., which is helpful if you travel internationally to help you avoid paying a 3% fee on those international purchases.
Annual 5% Mileage Bonus
The Aviator Business card offers an annual 5% AAdvantage mileage bonus, earned on your account anniversary date every year and based on the total number of miles earned.
For example, if you earned 30,000 miles from spending on the Aviator Business, you would receive 1,500 extra miles.
Complimentary Employee Cards
You can earn more points faster when you add employee authorized user credit cards to your account for free.
Potential Anniversary Companion Certificate
American Airlines gives you a companion certificate for domestic main cabin travel each anniversary year for one guest if you spend at least $30,000 on this card every membership year.
You can redeem the certificate for $99 (plus $21.60 to $43.20 in government taxes and fees).
Advantages of the AAdvantage Aviator Business
The AAdvantage Aviator Business Card is excellent for travel and business spending, especially if you spend a lot on office supply and telecom purchases.
Free checked bags, preferred boarding, zero transaction fees, and in-flight food and beverage discounts make the Aviator Business Card an appealing choice for frequent and occasional American Airlines travelers. The card’s airline perks could easily offset its $95 yearly cost.
Additionally, you’ll receive a 5% AAdvantage miles bonus every anniversary and a yearly companion certificate.
Plus, the Aviator Business Card also now offers you the opportunity to earn Loyalty Points, helping you get closer to elite status.
Disadvantages of the AAdvantage Aviator Business
Several other travel credit cards offer better ongoing earnings rates than the AAdvantage Aviator Business Card.
For example, the American Express Business Platinum offers 5x points on flights, or the Chase Ink Prefered (with the same annual fee) offers 3x points on flights.
Also, non-American flyers may not benefit much from the airline perks, like free checked bags and in-flight savings.
You could consider more flexible travel rewards cards for booking flights on different airlines if you’re not an American Airlines loyalist.
- Earn up to 80,000 Miles + $95 Statement Credit After Spending $2,000 in the First 90 Days
- 2x Miles on American Airlines and at Eligible Office Supply, Telecom, and Car Rental Companies
- Free Checked Bag on Domestic Flights & Preferred Boarding on All Flights for You & Four Companions
- 25% In-Flight Savings on Food and Drinks
- 5% AAdvantage Mileage Bonus Every Anniversary
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- $95 Annual Fee
