RewardZ Travel
All credit cards
Side-by-side

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard vs The Platinum Card from Amex

Both are well-respected travel cards. The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard comes from Barclays at $99/yr; the The Platinum Card from Amex from American Express at $695/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the The Platinum Card from Amex is the stronger pick today — the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($760 more in estimated value) than the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard's. Get the The Platinum Card from Amex first; revisit the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureAAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite MastercardThe Platinum Card from Amex
Annual fee$99$695
Sign-up bonus60,000 miles80,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$840$1,600
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 1 mo$8,000 in 6 mo
IssuerBarclaysAmerican Express
Card categoryairlinetravel
Best earning category (American)2x1x
Transfer partnersaadvantageamex-mr
Headline benefits
  • Single-purchase 60k bonus
  • Free bag for 5 travelers
  • 10% mile rebate on redemptions
  • $25 wifi credit
  • Centurion Lounge access
  • $200 airline fee credit
  • $200 hotel credit
  • $200 Uber Cash
Read the full review
AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard
$99/yr · 60,000 miles
Read the full review
The Platinum Card from Amex
$695/yr · 80,000 points

Editorial take: AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard

The bag fee waiver alone covers the $99 fee for any AA traveler who takes a checked bag once a year. The 60k sign-up bonus is one of the easier ones in the industry — only requires a single purchase.

Editorial take: The Platinum Card from Amex

The granddaddy of premium cards with Centurion Lounge access, hotel elite status, and a mountain of credits. The $695 fee stings, but if you use even half the credits, you come out ahead.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard or The Platinum Card from Amex?
The The Platinum Card from Amex has the bigger bonus — 80,000 points, worth roughly $1,600, versus 60,000 miles (~$840) on the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard.
Is the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard's $99 annual fee worth it compared to the The Platinum Card from Amex?
At $99/yr, the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the The Platinum Card from Amex's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard and The Platinum Card from Amex?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Barclays and American Express) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both — they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard or the The Platinum Card from Amex first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard: $0 spend in 1 months. The Platinum Card from Amex: $8,000 in 6 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time — confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.