Aviator Red includes companion cert again (+ 60K miles)

The Barclays Aadvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard is once again offering a $99 Companion Certificate as part of its welcome bonus. Getting both 60,000 American Airlines miles and a $99 Companion Certificate for making a single purchase paying the $99 annual fee continues to be a terrific value for those who can be approved.

The Offer & Key Card Details

Card Offer and Details

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite MasterCard ⓘ $811 1st Yr Value Estimate Up to 70K Miles ⓘ Friend-Referral Up to 70K miles: 60k miles after 1st purchase and paying the annual fee within 90 days + 10K miles when you add an authorized user & they make a purchase within first 90 days. $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 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 ➥More

Quick Thoughts

As noted at the top, this card offers an excellent bonus when you consider the fact that there is no minimum spending requirement beyond a single purchase and paying the $99 annual fee within the first 3 months. The miles alone make this card a great deal; the companion certificate is icing on the cake.

That companion certificate is limited to round trip domestic flights in economy class and your companion will pay $99 plus taxes (from a total of $121), so it’s more useful to think of it as a companion discount.  Still, there are times when that could come in handy and having it available beats not having it.

For those without an American Airlines credit card, keep in mind that one of the often unsung benefits of an AA credit card is the ability to book reduced mileage awards. While variable pricing means that those awards may not be the value they once were, there are times when you’ll save big with those awards (and in fact once in the last year I forgot about reduced mileage awards and overpaid for an award flight!). Another key benefit here is a free checked bag — and as you’ll see in our Free Checked Bags via Credit Card Complete Guide, you do not need to pay for your flight with your Aviator card to access this benefit (though you do need your AAdvantage number on the reservation — officially 7 days in advance, though I’ve had luck with travel booked within 7 days of departure as well).

Those who have or have previously had an Aviator card are unlikely to be approved. I am not sure how long an Aviator card needs to be closed in order to be approved again, but I’ve heard plenty of negative data points. I’d not expect to be approved if you’ve had the card in the past couple of years.

However, those who are eligible can score an easy win with this offer.

H/T: Doctor of Credit

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