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AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

Both are well-respected travel cards. The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard comes from Barclays at $99/yr; the Chase Sapphire Preferred from Chase at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the stronger pick today — the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($660 more in estimated value) than the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard's. Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred first; revisit the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureAAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite MastercardChase Sapphire Preferred
Annual fee$99$95
Sign-up bonus60,000 miles75,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$840$1,500
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 1 mo$5,000 in 3 mo
IssuerBarclaysChase
Card categoryairlinetravel
Best earning category (American)2x1x
Transfer partnersaadvantagechase-ur
Headline benefits
  • Single-purchase 60k bonus
  • Free bag for 5 travelers
  • 10% mile rebate on redemptions
  • $25 wifi credit
  • 5x on travel booked via Chase
  • 3x on dining & streaming
  • $50 annual hotel credit
  • Transfer to 10+ partners
Read the full review
AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard
$99/yr · 60,000 miles
Read the full review
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$95/yr · 75,000 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: Chase Sapphire Preferred

The best starter travel card, period. Transferable points, solid bonus categories, and a low annual fee make this the card we recommend to almost everyone getting into the points game.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard or Chase Sapphire Preferred?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has the bigger bonus — 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,500, 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred?
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 Chase Sapphire Preferred's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard and Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Barclays and Chase) 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred 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. Chase Sapphire Preferred: $5,000 in 3 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.