AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard: 70,000 Miles Welcome Offer

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The Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red MasterCard has launched a very solid welcome offer of 70,000 miles after making only one purchase, 20K better than what was previously available. While this new offer does charge a $99 annual fee, the additional miles should more than make up for it.

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The Offer & Key Card Details

Card Offer and Details
70K miles after 1st purchase and paying the annual fee within 90 days
$99 Annual Fee
Recent better offer: Up to 75K: 60K miles after first purchase and 15K after adding an authorized user and making one purchase on that card [Expired 2/24/24]
Earning rate: 2X AA ✦ 1X everywhere else
Base: 1X (1.3%)
Brand: 2X (2.6%)
Card Info: Mastercard World Elite issued by Barclays. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Big spend bonus: Earn $99 + tax domestic companion certificate with $20K membership year spend.
Noteworthy perks: First checked bag free ✦ Preferred boarding for the primary cardmember and up to 4 companions traveling on the same reservation ✦ 25% off in-flight purchases ✦ $25 wifi credit per membership year ✦ Flight cents: round up purchases to earn more miles

Quick Thoughts

This new offer matches the best that we’ve seen for time on the Aviator Red, as it awards 20,000 more bonus miles than the previous offer. One purchase is as low as it gets for a welcome offer of this caliber. Our current reasonable redemption values have AAdvantage Miles at 1.3cpp, giving this offer a total value of ~$800-900…a great return for effectively no spend.

For those playing the AA Loyalty Games for elite status, it’s worth noting that the bonus miles you earn here will not earn a corresponding number of Loyalty Points. However, your base spend on the card does earn you 1 Loyalty Point per dollar and so cards like these can still help you towards AAdvantage status (although at sub-optimal return).

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26 Comments
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Mo M

Is this dead? Anyone apply after the 13th of July and get approved? People on DoC are reporting error when applying.

Jam

How long does it take to receive the bonus points?

Bud

The AA MC with 50,000 bonus miles and no $99 annual fee expired on May 31, 2023. AA still handing our expired brochures?

Jeff

Wanted to give a DP:

I applied and was denied. I opened this card in 6/2021, closed in 7/2022, and applied again in 6/2023. The phone rep said I need to wait 24 months after closing to card to reapply again.

Marie

Got this card 11/2020 and canceled after a year. Just applied and was instantly approved. My account even has a place to manage the bonus so here’s to hoping!

Fran

I currently have the Barclays Aviator card; wondering if I could apply for a 2nd one to get the sign on bonus???

Rusty Nail

I had the Red Card for more than a decade. I cancelled it three months ago because I’m not doing a lot of travel these days. But this is a great offer so I applied two days ago. They called me the next day, asked a couple of questions, and accepted the application! YMMV.

Nick

There is a $99 annual fee in the link, not not annual fee first year.

Biz aviator

When are they going to bump the biz aviator back up? I could be misremembering but I thought the previous elevated SUB on the Aviator Red also coincided with the Biz 80k SUB

Carmelita Harley

How far apart would I need to space out my application for the Wyndham Earner Biz card and the AA Aviator Red card?

I’d like to apply for both cards but don’t know all the Barclays application rules.

Diana

Can you get this card if you also have the Barclays Silver aviator card (I had this red card years ago and product changed to the Aviator silver when offered. I still have the silver but would love to get this again for the bonus)? Thanks!

Joe mansion

That’s exactly what I need to know as well!

Ben

Did you ever find out the answer to this?

Kev

Got the previous offer and immediately used the miles to book business on JAL ~LAX to HND. Great experience

Cameron

I just got this card recently. Anyone know if they tend to match?

jed

saw something that said good odds if within 30 days

Tony

Only seeing 60k, am I missing the link?

Mike

How long since the last time you’ve had this card are you eligible for the bonus again? If at all. Thanks.

Beth

2 years

Felipe

Hi Beth, where you found that information?
Reading the T&C this one apparently has some kind of lifetime language on it”:

You may not be eligible for this offer if you currently have or previously had an account with us in this Program.

and

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. 

Am I misreading it? I had one in 2017 and closed in 2018, so I am way over the 24 months, but I would imagine that I am not eligible. Am I wrong?

Beth

Barclay has had that language for years and it’s never stopped me from getting multiple sign up offers for the same card (including this one)

Carmelita Harley

How often do you apply for this Aviator Red card and get the bonus?

I’m wondering how often we can churn this cards offer?

Every 6 months or once a year?

Thanks.