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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard review: A solid option for American loyalists
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
When Ryan worked as a TPG credit cards writer, he oversaw refreshes of card reviews and card offer stories. He enjoyed racking up cash back and helping readers maximize their points and miles for their next big trip.
also contributed to this story
January 13, 2025 • 8 min read
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
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Quick summary
A business travel card for American Airlines loyalists offers perks like a free checked bag, priority boarding and an annual companion certificate.
Cardholders receive a 5% annual bonus on miles earned at account renewal, plus inflight discounts and no foreign transaction fees.
The card is not currently accepting new applicants, and its future is uncertain as only one issuer will handle American Airlines cards starting in 2026.
While the card's ongoing earning rates are modest, its travel benefits can offset costs for frequent or semi-frequent flyers.
What to consider
The companion certificate requires $30,000 in annual eligible purchases and comes with a $99 charge plus taxes and fees.
You do not need to use the card to pay for flights to receive the free checked bag benefit.
Award redemptions with American Airlines use a mix of dynamic and fixed pricing, with the best value often found on Oneworld partner airlines.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of competing business and travel cards, plus in-depth guidance on maximizing American Airlines miles for premium travel.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard overview
The AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® is a well-rounded option for frequent AA flyers. While the card isn’t the most rewarding for ongoing spending, perks like the first checked bag free, the chance to earn an annual companion certificate and a 5% annual bonus on miles earned with the card make it a compelling choice. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
American Airlines is one of the only major travel companies to have credit cards issued by two different banks: Citi and Barclays. However, in 2026, Citi will become the exclusive issuer of AA-branded credit cards.
The AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard is one of several AA-cobranded cards that Barclays offers. Its $95 annual fee is comparable to those of other entry-level AA-cobranded cards offered by Barclay and Citi.
Unfortunately, the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard is currently not accepting new applicants.
Read on to explore all that the AAdvantage Aviator Business card offers for current cardholders.
The information for the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Free checked bag & priority boarding for cardholders
No foreign transaction fees
Inflight discount on AA flights
Ability to earn companion pass
No statement credits
No lounge access
Low earning rate on everyday purchases
AAdvantage Aviator Business welcome offer
The AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard is currently not accepting applications. Given that Citi will become the lone issuer of American Airlines cards in 2026, it's unlikely that this card will open to new applicants again.
THE POINTS GUY
In the past, the card offered new applicants the chance to earn a 70,000-mile bonus after they met the spending requirement.
You shouldn’t expect a long list of perks on an entry-level credit card that only carries a $95 annual fee, but there are still a few nice perks on the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard worth highlighting:
First checked bag free: You and up to four companions will receive a first checked bag free when traveling on domestic itineraries operated by American Airlines.
Preferred boarding: You and up to four companions on your reservation will receive priority boarding when traveling on itineraries operated by American Airlines.
Annual companion certificate: Every year that you spend at least $30,000 on eligible purchases, you’ll receive a companion certificate good for one companion on a round-trip domestic economy itinerary. Just pay $99 plus applicable taxes and fees.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
5% AAdvantage mileage bonus: Upon account renewal every year, you’ll receive a 5% bonus on all miles earned from qualifying purchases on your card.
25% inflight savings: Enjoy a 25% discount on inflight food and beverage purchases when you pay with your Aviator card.
Free employee cards
No foreign transaction fees
While the majority of these benefits are not noteworthy, one does stand out from the bunch. The 5% AAdvantage mileage bonus is a neat benefit not seen on other cobranded AA cards. If your business has substantial annual costs, you can earn an additional small portion per year thanks to your high spending.
Granted, 5% is not a lot, but since no travel credit cards have American Airlines as a transfer partner, all avenues of earning can help build your AA miles.
You’ll want to keep this card open for its perks, not for its bonus categories. Like many airline credit cards, the earning rates are fairly weak. Aviator Business cardholders earn at the following rates:
2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
2 miles per dollar spent at eligible office supply merchants, telecommunications merchants and on car rentals
1 mile per dollar spent everywhere else
PATRICK T. FALLON/THE POINTS GUY
The good news is that you don’t need to use your Aviator to pay for a flight in order to get a free checked bag, so you can keep the card open, enjoy the benefit and book your travel on a more rewarding card.
Redeeming miles on the AAdvantage Aviator Business
While AAdvantage offers several low-value redemption options, you’ll almost always come out ahead by redeeming your miles for flights. American Airlines uses a quasi-dynamic award pricing system. If you’re flexible, you can find short-haul domestic flights for as low as 5,000 miles each way in economy.
Oneworld and AA partner redemptions are fixed costs based on the award chart; however, if you’re flying American Airlines to Europe, South America, Asia or Australia, be ready to see dynamic award pricing.
A Oneworld Alliance-branded American Airlines jet. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
For example, 70,000 miles is enough for a one-way business-class ticket on Cathay Pacific to anywhere in Asia or a JAL first-class flight to Tokyo. That flight retails for well over $10,000 one-way.
I utilize my AA miles for premium cabin redemptions such as with Qatar Airways for their Qsuite business class for 70,000 miles to the Middle East or flying on JAL’s Sky Suite to Tokyo in business class for 60,000 miles.
Which cards compete with the AAdvantage Aviator Business?
Several other AA cobranded cards compete with the AAdvantage Aviator Business, not to mention general travel credit cards as well.
If you want a general travel card: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a good choice for those who aren’t committed to one airline and prefer earning transferable miles. The card earns 2 miles per dollar on all purchases and has 15-plus transfer partners. It has a low annual fee of $95. To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards review.
If you prefer a Citi-issued business card: The (see rates and fees) is a simple and easy way to earn miles for your business and open another AA miles-earning credit card if you’re ineligible for personal ones. The card comes with an annual fee of $99, which is waived for the first 12 months. To learn more, read our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard.
The AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard is a great card to keep for anyone looking to boost their AAdvantage account balance through business spending. If you fly even semi-regularly with American, the first checked bag free on eligible flights should help you offset the card’s $95 annual fee. Just keep in mind that Barclays and American Airlines are sunsetting their partnership, so it may be a good time to consider a Citi-cobranded American Airlines card.
If you're at least a semi-frequent AA flyer, the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard offers a very compelling value proposition. With a decent earning rate and solid travel benefits, this is a great card to keep for even casual AA flyers.
