Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Silver MasterCard Review

Currently, you will be able to upgrade your Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Red MasterCard to a AAdvantage® Aviator™ Silver World Elite MasterCard® and it only takes a matter of three months. The new Red Aviator can be upgraded to the Silver Aviator after 90 days of account opening. Keep in mind that there is a 40,000 AA Bonus currently attached to the $95 Annual Fee Red Aviator with a first purchase spend… Overall decent bonus and you won’t get charged the Silver Aviator $195 AF for the first year.  Essentially you can get the Red Aviator card, 40,000 AA bonus, pay the $95 annual fee and then upgrade to Silver in 90 days.

Alternative Credit Card Bonuses:

• Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express
• Barclaycard Arrival Plus ^TM World Elite MasterCard®
• British Airways Visa Signature^® Card

Editor’s Note: In no way, shape, or form is this Alternative list reiterating any superiority between these cards.

Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite MasterCard In-depth:

Taking a good look into this card, if you’re a higher spender and you’re willing to toss $50,000 a calendar year, then this card will give you all the benefits guaranteed, however, if you are not able to make that type of spend in a calendar year… Your safer bet is to stay with the Aviator Red.

Both of these cards are exceptionally well-built travel cards but the Silver just tops the cake with attractive perks for big spenders such as 5,000 elite-qualifying miles for every $20,000 you spend annually (up to 10,000 miles each year), 6000 elite-qualifying dollars (3,000 earned at $25,000 and $50,000 spend), Companion certificate good for up to 2 guests at $99 each, issued annually after your account anniversary when you spend $30,000 or more, and so much more. Here is a list of the benefits you receive below:

• 5,000 elite-qualifying miles for every $20,000 you spend annually (up to 10,000 miles each year)
• 6000 elite-qualifying dollars (3,000 earned at $25,000 and $50,000 spend)
• Companion certificate good for up to 2 guests at $99 each, issued annually after your account anniversary when you spend $30,000 or more
• Earn 3 miles for every $1 you spend when you use your card on eligible American Airlines purchases
• $100 Global Entry application fee credit

AAdvantage Aviator Silver vs Aviator Red MasterCard:

There are some clear-as-day distinctions that must be addressed between these two cards. The AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard is the standard defaut option. The cards rewards tops at 2 AA miles per $1 spent on American Airlines purchases and 1 mile per $1 everywhere else… There’s no extra miles for hotels/car rentals like what we see on the Aviator Silver. Also, The Aviator Red doesn’t come with a companion certificate; if Aviator Red cardholders spend $30,000 in a year, they will just receive a $100 flight discounts which is considerably less valued than companion certificates.

One of the most transparent differences is the annual fee attached to both the cards… Red being $95 vs Silver’s $195. Again, both of these cards are exceptional travel rewards cards, however, ranking them is like comparing apples to oranges (with a significant difference in price tags of course). Moreover, this notion suggest that the cards do differ, but at the end of the day, it’s preference that really matters and again, if you are down to spend well over $100+ more per calendar year and you  are looking to take advantage of Global Entry Benefits, or spend enough to trigger the companion certificate… Then the silver may just be for you.

Barclaycard AAvantage MasterCard Pros:

• Fantastic rewards rates of up to 5.2%
• Exceptional American Airlines Rewards Program
• Global Entry TSA Pre Membership Covered

Barclaycard Arrival Plus Cons:

• High annual fee of $195 for Silver Elite The Next Year

Editor’s Note: Keep in mind that the specs above are solely properties of Barclaycard’s Aviator Silver Elite.

Conclusion:

Great news for Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Red MasterCard Cardholders as you can now take advantage of a 40,000 AAdvantage Bonus Points within your first purchase and within a 90 day account opening period, you will be able to upgrade your Red Aviator to a Silver Elite. Definitely a steal because you just have to pay the $95 Annual Fee attached to the Red Aviator for the first year. Make sure that you are able to distinguish between these cards in order to assess what is of greater value to you… If you cannot make a spend of $50,000 in a calendar year than odds are the Silver Elite may not maximize your points.  If you’re not currently interested in AA miles then you can always check out the Barclaycard Arrival Plus ^TM World Elite MasterCard® , with a nice 50,000 Sign-up bonus! Otherwise find our complete list of Credit Card Promotions today!