Barclaycard American Airlines AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite MasterCard Review
Updated November 14, 2021.
The Facts
The Math
AAdvantage Aviator Silver vs. AAdvantage Aviator Red: Aviator Silver is $100/year more expensive than Aviator Red, and it comes with four premium features: (1) a 3-2-1 earning structure vs. 2-1 on Red (one additional AA mile on American, hotels, and car rentals), (2) EQM and EQD earning potential with $20K-50K spending, (3) daily $25 in-flight F&B credit (instead of 25% discount on Red), and (4) annual $99 companion certificate for two guests (vs. one guest on Red) with $20K spending. Even if you don't use the last three benefits, you just need to spend $6,250 a year on American airlines, hotels and car rentals to come out ahead of the $100 difference in annual fees if you happen to value an AAdvantage mile at 1.6 cents a piece like we do, as $6,250 x 1 mile/$ x 1.6 cent/mile = $100. Do your math if your miles valuation is different. The bottom line is that if you are a frequent American flyer, you will most likely find upgrading to Silver Aviator a great deal.
AAdvantage Aviator Silver WEMC vs. Citi AA Executive WEMC: Barclays designed this premium card carefully as it wasn't able to secure an contract with American Airlines for the Admirals Club access - so the annual fee is $250 lower than Citi AA Executive which provides lounge access. Barclays actually finds a sweet spot with this product since no other cards in the market offer a 3-2-1 earning structure for American miles. In addition, Barclays offers an annual $99 companion certificate for up to two guests with $20K spending, better in-flight F&B benefit (daily $25 credit vs. Citi's 25% discount), better EQM earning (Barclays gives flexibility for yo to earn 5K EQMs for each $20K spending while Citi just gives you 10K EQMs for $40K spending), and EQD earning potential. So if you don't need lounge access, Aviator Silver will be a clear winner. You will consider Citi Executive/AA for the lounge access and/or when you desperately need another 10K EQMs from Citi Executive/AA in addition to the 10K EQMs from Aviator Silver.
On paper, AAdvantage Aviator Silver's 3-2-1 earning structure is not as rewarding as Citi Prestige's or Chase Sapphire Reserve's. However, bear in mind that if none of those competitors offer reward points that can be transferred to American miles. With the revamp of Amex SPG which used to return 25% more AA miles on general spending, Aviator Silver Card has become more attractive.
The Conclusion
Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Silver WEMC is carefully designed product which finds a sweet spot in the market. It makes Citi Executive/AAdvantage look overpriced while competing well with some of our favorites due to the 3-2-1 American miles earning structure. If you frequent American or just have big hotels/rental cars spending, you will find upgrading from Aviator Red very rewarding. In summary, this card is highly competitive and powerful, especially for American flyers even after the 2019 devaluation.
The Facts
- Annual Fee: $199
- Signup Bonus: none
- Rewards: 3x miles on American Airlines, 2x hotels and car rentals, and 1x everywhere else. Starting in 2022, you also earn one Loyalty Point per dollar spent on the card, which means you could achieve AAdvantage Gold status solely with the card by spending $30K, Platinum status by spending $75K, Platinum Pro status by spending $125K, or Executive Platinum status by spending $200K, in a calendar year.
- Best Use of AAdvantage miles: AAdvantage is the frequent flyer program of American Airlines, a member of oneworld. AAdvantage miles are generally valuable when redeemed on American or partner flights.
- American Airlines Benefits: (1) An annual companion certificate good for up to two guests at $99 each (plus taxes and fees) to travel in economy class on American Airlines within contiguous U.S. and Canada after you spend $20,000 each calendar year. (2) Between 1/1/2021 and 2/28/2022, earn 5,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) for each $20,000 in spending, up to 10,000 EQMs per calendar year; between 1/1/2022 and 2/28/2023, earn up to 15,000 Loyalty Points (5,000 Loyalty Points when you spend $20,000, additional 5,000 Loyalty points when you spend a total of $40,000, and additional 5,000 Loyalty Points when you spend a total of $50,000). (3) Earn 3,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD) for $50,000 in annual spending. (4) Reduced Mileage Awards (saving up to 7,500 miles on select routes). (5) First checked bag free for you plus eight passengers on your reservation. (6) Group 5 priority boarding on American flights for you plus eight passengers on your reservation. (7) Daily $25 credits for in-flight food and beverage purchases. (8) Annual $50 in-flight Wi-Fi credits. (9) The "Flight Cents" feature that allows you to round up your purchase to the nearest dollar and earn half a mile per cent - this essentially enables you to buy AA miles at 2 cents a piece based the number of cents you can round up.
- World Elite MasterCard Benefits: MasterCard Luxury Hotels & Resorts (a collection of 2,000+ luxury hotels worldwide that offer complimentary breakfasts for two, room upgrades upon availability, early check-in, late check-out, and a special amenity such as a certain amount of hotel credit up to $100 per stay, free internet, or welcome gift, etc.), MasterCard Travel & Lifestyle Services (offers for hotels, airfare, private jets, airport concierge, car rentals, chauffeured cars, cruise lines, tours, vacation packages, golf, sports and entertainment event tickets, etc.), complimentary ShopRunner membership (free two-day shipping and returns at participating stores), complimentary DoorDash benefits (3 months of complimentary DashPass membership & $5 off first two orders per month through 9/30/2022), monthly $5 Lyft credit after 3 rides each month, 5% discount for every HelloFresh order, $5 rewards for every $20+ Fandango purchase, the Dining Program (special amenities at participating restaurants), the Nightlife Program (exclusive access to and recognition at participating night clubs), Priceless Cities, Priceless Surprises, Priceless Causes, Priceless Golf, 24/7 World Elite concierge service, MasterCard Cellular Wireless Telephone Protection (up to $800 for a stolen or damaged phone as long as you charge your monthly cellphone bills to the card), MasterCard ID Theft Protection, etc.
- Other Benefits: (1) $100 reimbursement for Global Entry application, for quicker custom and security checkpoint clearing. (2) Waived foreign transaction fees with an embedded EMV chip.
- Other Facts: Even thought you can't apply for this card directly, the existing AAdvantage Aviator Red cardholders may upgrade to Aviator Silver. In 2019, the annual fee was increased from $195 to $199; the annual 10% redeemed miles rebate (up to 10,000 miles per year) featured was discontinued; annual EQD earning rate was adjusted for worse; annual $50 Wi-Fi credits and daily $25 F&B credits were added - in general this presents devaluation for this card.
The Math
AAdvantage Aviator Silver vs. AAdvantage Aviator Red: Aviator Silver is $100/year more expensive than Aviator Red, and it comes with four premium features: (1) a 3-2-1 earning structure vs. 2-1 on Red (one additional AA mile on American, hotels, and car rentals), (2) EQM and EQD earning potential with $20K-50K spending, (3) daily $25 in-flight F&B credit (instead of 25% discount on Red), and (4) annual $99 companion certificate for two guests (vs. one guest on Red) with $20K spending. Even if you don't use the last three benefits, you just need to spend $6,250 a year on American airlines, hotels and car rentals to come out ahead of the $100 difference in annual fees if you happen to value an AAdvantage mile at 1.6 cents a piece like we do, as $6,250 x 1 mile/$ x 1.6 cent/mile = $100. Do your math if your miles valuation is different. The bottom line is that if you are a frequent American flyer, you will most likely find upgrading to Silver Aviator a great deal.
AAdvantage Aviator Silver WEMC vs. Citi AA Executive WEMC: Barclays designed this premium card carefully as it wasn't able to secure an contract with American Airlines for the Admirals Club access - so the annual fee is $250 lower than Citi AA Executive which provides lounge access. Barclays actually finds a sweet spot with this product since no other cards in the market offer a 3-2-1 earning structure for American miles. In addition, Barclays offers an annual $99 companion certificate for up to two guests with $20K spending, better in-flight F&B benefit (daily $25 credit vs. Citi's 25% discount), better EQM earning (Barclays gives flexibility for yo to earn 5K EQMs for each $20K spending while Citi just gives you 10K EQMs for $40K spending), and EQD earning potential. So if you don't need lounge access, Aviator Silver will be a clear winner. You will consider Citi Executive/AA for the lounge access and/or when you desperately need another 10K EQMs from Citi Executive/AA in addition to the 10K EQMs from Aviator Silver.
On paper, AAdvantage Aviator Silver's 3-2-1 earning structure is not as rewarding as Citi Prestige's or Chase Sapphire Reserve's. However, bear in mind that if none of those competitors offer reward points that can be transferred to American miles. With the revamp of Amex SPG which used to return 25% more AA miles on general spending, Aviator Silver Card has become more attractive.
The Conclusion
Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Silver WEMC is carefully designed product which finds a sweet spot in the market. It makes Citi Executive/AAdvantage look overpriced while competing well with some of our favorites due to the 3-2-1 American miles earning structure. If you frequent American or just have big hotels/rental cars spending, you will find upgrading from Aviator Red very rewarding. In summary, this card is highly competitive and powerful, especially for American flyers even after the 2019 devaluation.