Barclays Aviator Red World Elite MasterCard 60,500 Miles, Annual Fee Waived First Year

Update 9/8/19: As readers point out in the comments, this does come with the extra 500 you normally get when using an “in flight” application like this.

The Offer

Direct link to offer (use code [removed upon owner’s request])

  • Sign up for the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite MasterCard and receive a signup bonus of 60,000 AAdvantage miles after you make your first purchase in the first 90 days. Annual fee of $99 is waived first year

Card Details

  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Annual fee of $99 is waived the first year
  • First checked bag free, for the primary cardmember and up to 4 companions on eligible bags when traveling on domestic itineraries operated by American Airlines
  • Group 5 boarding, for the primary cardmember on domestic itineraries operated by American Airlines
  • 25% inflight savings on food, beverages, and headsets on American Airlines-operated flights1
  • Earn 2x miles on all eligible American Airlines purchases
  • Earn 1x points on all other purchases

Our Verdict

There is another very similar offer, the only difference is that the annual fee isn’t waived but you do get a companion certificate. Personally I’d prefer the $99 over the companion certificate, but if you’re able to make the certificate work for you then chances are that is a better offer. Previously with these in flight offers you’d get an additional 500 miles as well, but that doesn’t seem to be the case this time. This is most likely the best credit card offer with no minimum spend requirement.

If you have any questions about Barclays credit cards, I’d recommend reading this post first. We will be adding this offer to our list of the best credit card bonuses.

Hat tip to Bgesq

 

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Gerald
Gerald (@guest_1129055)
January 16, 2021 19:27

In the past, they have waived the annual fee for this or offered to PC to the fee-free version. I just tried this, and they wouldn’t do either. Between that and their closing my wife’s Aviator for inactivity, we are now a Barclay-less household.

VL
VL (@guest_1129085)
January 16, 2021 21:31

Good for you! Take a 6 month break and start over again. Rinse and repeat:)))))

gabe
gabe (@guest_840128)
November 11, 2019 21:06

the fee is not waived for the first year anymore

Trippy
Trippy (@guest_840773)
November 13, 2019 01:35

That fee waiver was till 31st Oct. Now instead you get a companion certificate (which has been the standard offer off late).

Vic
Vic (@guest_833144)
October 31, 2019 00:12

Question #1: If one hopes to churn this card, or get a Business Aviator opening bonus in the near future, is there any advantage to closing this personal AviatorRed account shortly after earning the 60K AA mile bonus? I realize that closing the account loses the Free Checked Bag (and other card related flight benefits), but let’s assume that’s not a problem.

Question #2: I noticed the language for Free Checked Bag on the paper in-flight app doesn’t require one to purchase the ticket with this card, but it does require the account to be open. Anyone know if I were to purchase an AA ticket with a different card, say a non-airline card that earned 5 points per dollar spent on airfare, would I still qualify for the Free Checked Bag as long as the AviatorRed account is still opened.

VL
VL (@guest_833173)
October 31, 2019 02:03

1. Barclay bank is not known (at least for now) to take any action if the card is closed shortly after receiving the bonus… unlike Amex, where you actually have to keep the card at least for 12 months +… so technically you may be fine, although personally I prefer not to draw much attention to my accounts, which will happen eventually if you keep doing that. My approach is to keep cards for year + few days or weeks
2. You are ok. The existence of an open card is enough for you to get free checked bags. The card should show on aa.com under your name. If it does this would result in automatically your account to be recognized as ok for free bag.

abbi lafosse
abbi lafosse (@guest_825213)
October 14, 2019 19:27

I flew with american airlines in August and got an application from the flight attendant for the exclusive flight offer. I went to the website they said to go too and it is asking for a promo code provided on the application in the right hand corner and i cant seem to find it. anyone can help with this?

Neil Degrasse
Neil Degrasse (@guest_825306)
October 14, 2019 22:26

69696969420

Chang
Chang (@guest_826139)
October 16, 2019 16:27

Use code 999999

Jeremy
Jeremy (@guest_824840)
October 14, 2019 10:06

So, is there a code that we can currently use?

Andy
Andy (@guest_824449)
October 13, 2019 14:45

Does anyone have a code for this?

Pablo
Pablo (@guest_818818)
October 5, 2019 01:46

From the comments, seems like people who are reporting success have had no prior relationship with Barclays while those who used to have this card or some relationship with Barclays currently or in the past are having trouble? A bit concerning for those thinking about applying while used to having a Barclays card. Hope I’m wrong here though!

Morris
Morris (@guest_819387)
October 6, 2019 02:16

You’re wrong 🙂
I’ve had the card twice prior: the first one with grandfathered annual 10K I held for something like 4-5 years (give or take a year). While holding that card, back in late 2016, I was approved for an additional one with another 60K bonus as it was considered a new product vs. my old U.S. Air converted one — without needing to cancel the original one! In October 2017, I cxled the grandfathered card, October 2018 cxled the new one.

Two days ago, I applied for this offer and was approved yet again (about 2 weeks short of the one-year cancellation anniversary of the last one I had).

I will say that I have another Barclays card that gets used a lot (over $25K on it last cardmember year, $4K so far current cardmember year), so perhaps that helped. I also did have to call in as the app was auto-denied without a hard pull due to having had 2 in the past. The analyst was understanding and approved me for the third after pulling credit. I do plan to use the card and benefits, possibly aim to upgrade to the Silver version down the road, as I have some AA redemptions and travel planned and do ultimately value my positive Barclays relationship.

And FYI: the 500 mile bonus posted the day after my application and posts even if you’re denied according to the fine print, so at least there’s a small consolation prize if you aren’t approved…

Pablo
Pablo (@guest_824015)
October 12, 2019 11:47

Thanks Morris! Going to apply for this card again and see what I can get 🙂

rob
rob (@guest_817789)
October 2, 2019 22:16

Tried applying for this card and I was instantly declined. Barclays had closed my account in March 2018. Called Recon and they said that credit report has not been pulled but your application is being declined because of the past termination. You should wait for some more time.

Bobby J
Bobby J (@guest_816968)
October 1, 2019 17:06

Applied for Aviator Red Oct 2017, cancelled Sep 2018. Tried to apply today and said they were reviewing it. When I went to check status, it says they are unable to offer me a card and will mail me a reason.

Bobby J
Bobby J (@guest_817041)
October 1, 2019 19:12

Update: later this afternoon 500 in flight miles were deposited into my AAdvantage account. Anyone have a clue?

Trippy
Trippy (@guest_829169)
October 22, 2019 21:54

They always do that when applying with flight attendant code. A small consolation if you get rejected, I have a bunch of those 😀

bax
bax (@guest_829178)
October 22, 2019 22:18

If no HP, might be a churnable way to rack up a bunch of free 500 miles 🙂

Pablo
Pablo (@guest_816296)
September 29, 2019 23:54

Anyone have any experience where they have opened this same card and then downgraded it to the silver (no Annual Fee version) a year later and then closed it a year after that?

I’m in that boat and I just closed the card in early August or almost 2 months ago. I may wait until late October to apply but not sure if it would be worth applying if 3 months is just too early unless it might be okay since I closed the no AF version of the card? Haven’t applied for a new credit card in a little over 2 years (the Red Aviator was actually my last card that I applied for) so I guess I’m 0 cards in the past 24 months.

Would I be cutting it close trying to apply for this red card or do you guys think I might be okay?

Thanks.

VL
VL (@guest_816319)
September 30, 2019 02:29

Technically you did not have this card for more than a year… closing a different card does not disqualify you from getting this one again, although does not guarantee that you will get it (this is my understanding).
If you go for it please report back if you got it. Good luck.

Pablo
Pablo (@guest_816530)
September 30, 2019 17:46
  VL

Thanks, I guess I’ll give it a shot soon. Will let you guys know how it turns out.

VL
VL (@guest_816540)
September 30, 2019 18:31

The rule of Barclay = if you get the card you will get the bonus (that how it worked). Good luck.

Pablo
Pablo (@guest_831191)
October 26, 2019 19:47
  VL

Just applied and was approved!

Reference:
Previously had this card before in June 2017 but downgraded to the no AF (silver) card in June 2018 and then closed the account in August, 2019.

With the exception of today, June 2017 was the last time I applied for any credit card so I was 0/24.