(Last Call) AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard: 70K Miles Welcome Offer

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Update 7/30/24: This increased welcome offer on the Aviator Red card is due to expire tomorrow (July 31).

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The Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red MasterCard has is back with a very solid welcome offer of 70,000 miles after making only one purchase, 20K better than what was previously available (without going through a referral). 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
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 is just shy of the best that we’ve seen for time on the Aviator Red, and it awards 20,000 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 1.3cpp, 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).

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.
  • 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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Doyl

Just applied for P2, instant approval. Thanks for the reminder.

Robert

thank you FM for the reminder. Not a bad deal with no spend. Player 1, decision pending. Score 830 and only 2 card in 24mo. Barclays seems like a clunky process and never struck me as really wanting my business. And this experience today is consistent with my historical experiences w Barclays. So I doubled down, Player2. same thing, pending. Score 820 and 3 cards in 24 mo. Hopefully all works out.

Martin

If I cancel the card today, what are chances of getting accepted tomorrow (last day of offer)? It’s been more than 24 months since I received the offer on this card.

Pcw

Any work around with the low credit utilization rejection?

Joel

Showing 60k at the Barclays site now 🙁

kayexalate

any historical data on how long this deal will last? Had a Hard pull about 35 days ago–not sure how sensitve Barclays is and if I should wait longer. (on my TU report, I’m 1/24 and 1 Hard Pull in the last 60 days).

Kayexalate

Tim. any intel on how sensitive barclays is to recent inquiries/HP’s on my credit reports?  tried for some cards (Citi and b of A) last month and got denied, so still have those within the last 30 days.

NealM

Just to add one piece of information. This card bonus is only available once in a lifetime. If you have ever had this card, you can’t receive the bonus again.

NealM

I have over stated it. Barclay’s may revoke it or refuse it.

This is a quote from Barclay’s Terms and conditions,
“INTRODUCTORY BONUS OFFER
Your credit offer may contain additional information about qualifying events, exclusions, and restrictions. That information can be found by logging into your Card Account online and visiting the Rewards and Benefits section or calling the number on the back of your Card. 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® Card 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, at our sole discretion.”

The Points Guy has this quote, “If you’ve earned an AAdvantage bonus on a specific Citi / AAdvantage card, you won’t be eligible to earn the bonus again for another 48 months.”

Maybe you can clarify it?

Congratulations on your last adventure with the Points Challenge! I followed it on Frequent Miler.

Kayexalate

But this is a Barclay card not a Citi card

EruptingLoowit

This card (& biz version) is definitely churnable @ 24 months. Multiple DP’s. MIght have to call recon & shift credit from another Barclays card.