Card Review: Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Business Card

In an attempt to stay under Chase’s 5/24 rule and to prepare for future travel plans, I’ve turned my head to a new issuer: Barclays. I used to love Barclays, especially when the Uber Card was a true cashback card. After the Uber Card got refreshed and changed its earning structure, I naturally stopped using the card, and never got another card from Barclays. I was focused on earning versatile points currencies like Membership Rewards (MR) and Ultimate Rewards (UR) points, by opening accounts with Chase and American Express (AMEX). Right now, I hold more than 20 active credit cards, and I needed to look for a product that will keep me under Chase’s 5/24 rule but also gives me a decent amount of points for future travel plans. The AAdvantage Aviator Business Card from Barclays caught my attention, and I was approved upon submitting my application.

The Barclays Aviator Business Card offers a substantial sign-up bonus with a low spending requirement. Photo credit: www.barclays.com

Multipliers & Signup Bonus: Worth Up to $1,050

The Barclays Aviator Business Card is currently offering up to 75,000 AAdvantage bonus miles as a sign-up bonus. The 75,000 miles bonus is broken into two parts. A new eligible cardmember will earn 65,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. Then, he/she can earn additional 10,000 miles when a purchase is made on an employee card. I value one AAdvantage mile at 1.4 cents per mile, making the sign-up bonus worth up to $1,050. If you are unable to add an employee card, the 65,000 AAdvantage bonus miles will still yield an impressive $910. If you are worried about getting approved for a small business credit card, you may be surprised that sole proprietorship qualifies for many business credit card applications, and most side gigs or hustles certainly count. Need more guidance? Check out my detailed post on how to get a business credit card.

Where will you go with the huge sign-up bonus?

The earning rates of the card are not strong. The card will earn 2X AAdvantage miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and at eligible office supply, telecom, and car rental services. All other purchases will earn 1X AAdvantage miles.

Annual Fee & Benefits

The Barclays Aviator Business Card comes with an annual fee of $95 and is equipped with travel-focused benefits. By holding the card, the first checked bag is free when you fly American Airlines. This perk can extend up to four companions on eligible bags when traveling on domestic American Airlines flights. Preferred boarding benefit also applies to you and up to four companions on your reservation when traveling on itineraries operated by American Airlines.

Check your luggage for free when you hold the Barclays Aviator Card.

Craving some food on a flight? You’d receive 25% inflight savings as a statement credit on food and beverages when you use your card on American Airlines-operated flights. Additionally, there are two spending bonuses every calendar year. If you spend $25,000 in a calendar year, you can earn a $3,000 bonus Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) towards American Airlines elite status.

Elite status qualifying thresholds have been lowered for 2021. The above chart shoes the standard elite qualification levels. Photo credit: www.aa.com

Then, after spending $30,000 or more on eligible purchases, each year after your account anniversary, you would receive a companion certificate, which is good for one guest at $99. The companion certificate is generally valid for a year and can only be used for round-trip domestic economy class tickets.

Traveling with a companion is always better.

If the $30,000 spending threshold is too high, you can still earn something on your account anniversary by keeping the card for another year. Every year, Barclays will award you 5% of the total number of miles earned using your card after your account anniversary date. Barclays clearly states that two conditions have to be met for the 5% bonus to be awarded; The cardmember must renew the annual card membership, and the card must remain open for at least 45 days after the anniversary date. This means that you must pay the annual fee and keep the card for another year to receive the 5% mileage bonus.

Summary

The Barclays Aviator Business Card offers a great sign-up bonus with a low spending requirement. The long-term value of the card will depend on your travel style and airline of choice. If you are a frequent flyer of American Airlines, getting free checked bags and priority boarding won’t benefit you much since you probably hold elite status with American Airlines. However, if you are a casual flyer, these travel perks can save you money while making the travel experience seamless and enjoyable. I would not recommend putting large spends on the card unless you don’t hold other workhorse cards such as the AMEX Gold Card. However, if the Barclays Aviator Business Card is the only option, it can earn you additional bonuses like a companion certificate and bonus EQDs.