What the Aviator Credit Card Is
The Aviator Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by Barclays in partnership with American Airlines. It is designed for people who fly American Airlines regularly or want to earn rewards on airline purchases. The card earns points on every purchase, with bonus points on American Airlines tickets and certain other travel expenses.
Barclays offers two versions: the Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard and the Aviator Business Mastercard. Both cards charge an annual fee, which Barclays deducts from your account each year. The card comes with a sign-up bonus — a set number of points awarded after you meet a spending requirement within the first few months of opening the account.
Key Takeaways
- The Aviator card earns points on all purchases, with higher earning rates on American Airlines flights and certain travel categories.
- Both personal and business versions charge an annual fee that Barclays bills to your account each year.
- New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus of points if they spend a set amount within a defined timeframe.
- Points can be redeemed for American Airlines flights, seat upgrades, or transferred to other travel partners in some cases.
- The card reports to the three major credit bureaus, so opening it will affect your credit report and score.
How to Open an Aviator Card Account
You can open an Aviator card account online through Barclays' website or by phone. To start online, visit the Barclays credit cards section, find the Aviator card product page, and select "Open Now" or the equivalent button. You will be asked to enter your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and employment status. Barclays will pull your credit report during this process.
The online process takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Barclays will tell you when ready whether your account has been approved, denied, or placed under review. If approved, your card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you can set up it through the Barclays website or mobile app before making your first purchase.
If you prefer to open the account by phone, call the number on the Barclays website. A representative will walk you through the same questions and can answer questions about the card's features and fees before you commit.
Annual Fee and What It Covers
The Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard charges an annual fee of $99. The Aviator Business Mastercard charges $95 per year. Barclays bills this fee to your card account on the anniversary of the date you opened the account, and every 12 months after that. The fee is charged whether or not you use the card.
The annual fee does not include travel insurance, roadside information, or other protections that some premium cards offer. However, the card does come with purchase protection and fraud liability limits that are standard for Mastercard products. You should review the full terms and conditions on the Barclays website to understand what protections explore to your account.
If you decide the card is not right for you, you can close the account at any time by calling Barclays customer service. Closing the account will not refund the annual fee if it has already been charged, but it will stop future charges.
Earning and Redeeming Points
The Aviator card earns points at different rates depending on what you buy. You earn 2 points per dollar on American Airlines purchases, including tickets, seat upgrades, and baggage fees paid directly to American. You earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Some cards offer bonus categories — such as restaurants or gas — but the Aviator does not; the earning rate is the same everywhere except American Airlines.
Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the account, Barclays may cancel your points, so check the terms before closing. Points can be redeemed for American Airlines flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other travel purchases through the American Airlines website or by calling American directly. You can also check your points balance through the Barclays mobile app or website.
The value of each point varies depending on what you redeem it for. A point used for a domestic flight may be worth more or less than a point used for an upgrade, depending on the flight price and availability. There is no fixed cash value for points, and Barclays does not allow you to convert points to cash or transfer them to other people.
Sign-Up Bonus and Spending Requirements
New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus after they spend a set amount within a defined period — usually 3 months from account opening. The bonus amount changes over time and may vary depending on where you see the offer. A typical bonus might be 50,000 points or more, but you should check the current offer on the Barclays website before opening the account.
To earn the bonus, you must charge the required amount to your new card within the timeframe stated in the offer. Barclays counts all purchases toward the spending requirement, including balance transfers and cash advances (though cash advances usually carry a fee). Once you meet the requirement, Barclays will deposit the bonus points into your account within 4 to 6 weeks.
If you do not meet the spending requirement within the timeframe, you will not receive the bonus. The bonus is awarded only once per account, and Barclays may have rules about how often you can open a new Aviator account and receive a bonus.
How the Card Affects Your Credit
Opening an Aviator card will result in a hard inquiry on your credit report. This inquiry may lower your credit score by a few points temporarily. The inquiry stays on your report for about 12 months, though it has less impact as time passes.
Once the account is open, Barclays reports your card balance, payment history, and credit limit to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each month. Making on-time payments will help your credit score over time. Carrying a high balance relative to your credit limit may lower your score. Closing the account will not remove it from your credit report, but it will stop the monthly reporting of activity.
If you are working to improve your credit score, opening a new card is a decision to make carefully. The short-term impact of the hard inquiry and new account is usually outweighed by the long-term benefit of on-time payments, but this depends on your overall credit profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be an American Airlines frequent flyer member to open the card?
No. You can open an Aviator card without being an AAdvantage member. However, you will need an AAdvantage account to redeem your points for flights. You can create a free AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website at any time, and Barclays can link your card to your frequent flyer account once both are open.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Barclays may cancel your points when you close the account. To keep your points, transfer them to your AAdvantage account before closing the card. Once points are in your AAdvantage account, they belong to American Airlines and will not be affected by closing the Barclays card.
Can I use the card for purchases other than flights?
Yes. You can use the Aviator card anywhere Mastercard is accepted. You will earn 1 point per dollar on non-airline purchases. The card works the same way as any other credit card for groceries, gas, restaurants, and other everyday spending.
Is there a way to avoid paying the annual fee?
The annual fee is charged to all Aviator cardholders. Barclays does not waive the fee for any reason, including inactivity or low spending. If the annual fee does not fit your budget, you can close the account and use a different card.
How long does it take to receive the card in the mail?
Barclays typically mails the card within 1 to 2 business days of approval and delivers it within 7 to 10 business days. Delivery time depends on your location and the mail carrier. You can set up the card as soon as it arrives through the Barclays website or app.