AAdvantage Aviator Crimson World Elite Mastercard overview
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Crimson World Elite Mastercard® is a stable selection for American Airways flyers searching for elitelike perks and a robust welcome bonus. The modest $99 annual payment can simply be offset by perks like a primary checked bag free and inflight reductions. Card score*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card score is predicated on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.
The AAdvantage Aviator Crimson World Elite Mastercard has many advantages for vacationers. Authorised candidates usually have a credit score rating of a minimum of 670.
For a little bit of backstory, American Airways is quite uncommon in that it is one of many solely airways to have bank cards issued by two completely different banks: Barclays and Citi. Which means the issuers must compete in opposition to one another for a share of the entry-level bank card market. This competitors is nice for shoppers as a result of it usually interprets into greater welcome bonuses and extra profitable perks.
This is what units the $99-per-year AAdvantage Aviator Crimson aside from the pack.
The data for the AAdvantage Aviator Crimson World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
AAdvantage Aviator Crimson execs and cons
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AAdvantage Aviator Crimson welcome supply
New AAdvantage Aviator Crimson cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus miles after finishing a novel spending requirement. So long as they pay the $99 annual payment and make one buy (whilst small as a pack of chewing gum) inside the first 90 days of account opening, they will earn 60,000 bonus miles.
In line with TPG’s November 2024 valuations, these bonus miles are value $960.
It is a easy and phenomenal technique to earn 60,000 bonus miles. After I was accredited for the cardboard, I may earn the identical variety of bonus miles and a companion certificates, which was helpful for a frequent AA flyer.
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Sadly, that provide has not been round for a while, however afterward, you will notice how one can nonetheless earn a companion certificates.
AAdvantage Aviator Crimson advantages
The AAdvantage Aviator Crimson has a small record of perks that may nonetheless supply first rate worth whenever you fly American:
- Anniversary companion certificates — Annually, you may earn a companion certificates ($99 fare plus taxes and charges) after you spend a minimum of $20,000 in your card and maintain it open for 45 days after your cardmember anniversary.
- Inflight Wi-Fi credit — You will stand up to $25 in assertion credit yearly for inflight Wi-Fi purchases.
- Inflight financial savings — You possibly can obtain a 25% low cost for inflight meals and beverage purchases as an announcement credit score.
- First checked bag free — You and as much as 4 companions touring on the identical reservation will get your first checked baggage free on American Airways itineraries.
- Most popular boarding — You and as much as 4 touring companions on the identical reservation can be granted most popular boarding on American Airways-operated flights.
- Journey protections — You will obtain journey accident insurance coverage, an auto rental collision harm waiver, baggage delay insurance coverage and journey cancellation and interruption protection.
Incomes miles on the AAdvantage Aviator Crimson
This card earns 2 miles per greenback on American Airways purchases, which is fairly normal throughout cobranded airline bank cards. Sadly, it would not supply bonus-earning alternatives in different classes; you will earn one mile per greenback on all different purchases.
More often than not, transferable factors playing cards supply a greater return.
That mentioned, the AAdvantage Aviator Crimson grants entry to extra methods to earn bonus miles along with American Airways spending. By benefiting from affords by means of SimplyMiles™, cardholders can accumulate extra AAdvantage miles on prime of the two miles per greenback they already earn.
Associated: The very best bank cards for American Airways flyers
Redeeming miles on the AAdvantage Aviator Crimson
AAdvantage miles may be redeemed for flights on American Airways, airways inside Oneworld and accomplice airways of the AAdvantage program. Flights inside the US and choose worldwide areas are topic to dynamic pricing when flying on American Airways-operated flights.
However, if you happen to’re seeking to redeem miles transatlantic, keep away from British Airways resulting from their excessive gasoline surcharges, particularly in premium cabins. Miles may also be used to improve to a better cabin of service on AA-operated flights.
I make the most of my AAdvantage miles just for accomplice redemptions, and over the past a number of years have booked premium cabin area on Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, JAL, Qantas and Royal Jordanian. My favourite redemptions embrace with the ability to ebook Qatar Qsuite or Etihad business-class and first-class.
Associated: Maximizing redemptions with American Airways AAdvantage
Which playing cards compete with the AAdvantage Aviator Crimson?
The AAdvantage Aviator Crimson is considered one of a number of cobranded playing cards that permits you to earn AAdvantage miles. There are different choices on the market, particularly for individuals who have already got this card or these seeking to diversify their factors and miles.
The data for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Choose World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
For added choices, take a look at our picks for the greatest airline playing cards.
Associated: Is the Citi / AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard value it?
Is the AAdvantage Aviator Crimson value it?
Whether or not you’re a loyal American Airways buyer or simply an award traveler seeking to diversify your factors and miles portfolio, the AAdvantage Aviator Crimson has one thing for you. The cardboard affords some good perks whenever you fly American, together with most popular boarding and your first checked bag free. In the event you already maintain different AA cobranded playing cards and need to increase your miles, making use of for this card is a superb manner to take action.
Backside line
With a low annual payment, the AAdvantage Aviator Crimson would not must be your main spending card to be value it. For many who fly American usually, it affords some good day-of-travel advantages that ought to improve your flight expertise.
It is all the time advisable to maintain a factors and miles steadiness with a number of loyalty applications to reap the benefits of offers and reductions once they come up, irrespective of the airline. That mentioned, the AAdvantage Aviator Crimson affords a straightforward technique to rack up some miles with out requiring 1000’s of {dollars} in spending upfront.
Associated: Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Choose vs. AAdvantage Aviator Crimson
