The Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red MasterCard is back with a very solid welcome offer of 70,000 miles after making only one purchase, 20K better than what’s otherwise available. While this new offer does charge a $99 annual fee, the additional miles should more than make up for it. (h/t: DOC)
The Offer & Key Card Details
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
 ⓘ $-99 1st Yr Value EstimateClick to learn about first year value estimates None This card is no longer available to new applicants$99 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. 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 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 is just shy of the best that we’ve seen for time on the Aviator Red, and it awards 10,000 more bonus miles than the previous public offer – and one purchase is as low as it gets for minimum spend. Our current Reasonable Redemption Values have AAdvantage Miles at 1.4 cents each, giving this offer a total value of ~$1000…a great return for effectively no spend.
It’s expected that Barclays will stop issuing the Aviator Red card on September 30th, so this might be our last shot at the increased 70K offer. Given the return, it’s a no-brainer for folks who want AA miles.
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).
Barclays Application Tips
- 6/24 Rule: Similar to Chase, Barclays has a rule that you may not be approved for a new card if you have opened 6 or more cards (with any bank) within the past 24 months. However, this rule is inconsistently applied and there are data points of people being approved despite being over 6/24.
- 24 Month Rule: Barclays also has a rule that you can only get a welcome offer on a card for a second time if it's been more than 24 months since you last received a welcome offer on the same card. Like the 6/24 rule, this seems to be inconsistently applied and some cards display the following language: “You may not be eligible for this offer if you currently have or previously had an account with us in this Program.”
- No Duplicate Cards: Barclays won't let you have two of the same card. In order to reapply, you'll need to cancel the card first. It's generally thought that you need to wait at least six months after cancelling before attempting to reapply.
- Velocity Limits: It's generally thought that Barclays will usually only approve you for a new personal card every 6 months. However, there are examples of people being able to move faster.
- Card Limits: Barclays doesn't have a strict limit on the amount of cards that you can have, but it does place limits on the total amount of credit that they will issue you across all cards. It's also thought that the bank will use your spending on other Barclays cards as one of its approval considerations.
- Application Status: Call (888) 232-0780 to check your application status or use this link for personal cards and this link for business cards.
- Reconsideration: If denied, call (866) 408-4064 and ask for your application to be reconsidered.
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Upgraded to the Silver card this week. How long to wait before applying for this offer?
Is it still possible to receive a sign-up bonus on both the Barclays and Citi AA cards? Barclays AA cards are rumored to be converted to Citi AA cards quite soon; presumably, after then, a sign-up bonus could not be obtained on the Citi AA card.
i got my last bonus about 18 months ago.
is it possible that they will approve me for this card, thus burning a 5/24 slot, while at the same time not awarding the SUB since am under their 24 month rule?
if you’re approved you’ll auto qualify for the SUB
Thanking about getting this and the JB business card on the same day so that I only get one inquiry. Thoughts?
should be possible
Does anyone know the velocity at which the welcome offer can be received? Does it post after your first statement, assuming you paid the $99 fee?
Usually 2nd statement. Even when the 50k no fee was used still didn’t post 1st statement which I thought would.
What’s the best order to apply in, if applying hte same day:
1) Barclays first, then CITI?
2) CITI first, then Barclays?
Citi first since Citi in inquiry sensitive
Can you hold a Silver Aviator and Red Aviator card?
Answered below with a yes.
Expired now
P1 and P2 applied in Oct 2023 and then downgraded in Oct 2024, should we try one last time?
Did you try? In a similar boat
no i read in some blogs u need to be two years apart.
I applied for a 75000 one during a flight about 4 weeks ago and got denied because they said it’s been too recent since I got
my first Barclay Hawaiian card which was in October 2024. When do you think it’s safe to re-apply?
Thanks for the reminder! Applied on Feb 2nd and got put under review. Got a call next morning (888-232-0776) where the rep asked some basic verification questions and I was approved in less than 10 mins. I’m 5/24 with this card.
Thanks–applied 2/1 and got the “under review” sign. Hopefully it’ll get approved with the 70k.
Same thing for me.
800 FICO score…
Thanks Tim, I meant to apply for this because this is the last year for Barclays. But missed the other day.
Great, glad to stuck around for you! 🙂
just applied on Feb 2 and went into pending review. I just got the Hawaiian Barclay card in December, so this may be a bridge too far. But gotta give it a try. 2/24 before this application, but probably 6 or 7 hard pulls.
Did you get approved? I’ve been denied twice in 2025 and I got my Hawaiian in back in October.
yes, after a week with a $1K credit limit. LOL. guess that’s enough for the 1 purchase I need.
Im jealous.
The 70K point offer is still posted and resolving. I went ahead and applied yesterday (Feb 1st) and my application went into under review status. I received a voicemail this morning and was told to call back (888-232-0776), which I did (after checking to see if the number was legit). They approved me for the card and verified that I was eligible for the 70K point offer.