Editorial take: AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard
Cleanest AA business card under $100 fee. Free bags for 5 travelers + the $30k companion cert + an easy 65k bonus. Solid for any AA-leaning small business.
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Side-by-side
AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard vs Citi Strata Elite Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard comes from Barclays at $95/yr; the Citi Strata Elite Card from Citi at $595/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the Citi Strata Elite Card is the stronger pick today — the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($530 more in estimated value) than the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard's. Get the Citi Strata Elite Card first; revisit the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard | Citi Strata Elite Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $595 |
| Sign-up bonus | 65,000 miles | 80,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $910 | $1,440 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $1,000 in 3 mo | $6,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Barclays | Citi |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (American) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | aadvantage | citi-ty |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard
$95/yr · 65,000 miles
Read the full review
Citi Strata Elite Card
$595/yr · 80,000 points
Editorial take: Citi Strata Elite Card
Citi's premium answer to Amex Platinum + Sapphire Reserve. The 12x on Citi-booked hotels is the best earning rate in the category; the $200 Blacklane and 4 Admirals Club passes are differentiated perks. $595 fee penciled out if you'll actually use the hotel + Splurge credits.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard or Citi Strata Elite Card?
- The Citi Strata Elite Card has the bigger bonus — 80,000 points, worth roughly $1,440, versus 65,000 miles (~$910) on the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard.
- Is the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Strata Elite Card?
- At $95/yr, the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Citi Strata Elite Card's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard and Citi Strata Elite Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Barclays and Citi) 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 Business Mastercard or the Citi Strata Elite Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard: $1,000 spend in 3 months. Citi Strata Elite Card: $6,000 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.