In the world of business credit cards, the Barclay AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® stands out, especially for frequent travelers using American Airlines. Tailored to entrepreneurs and small businesses, this card offers impressive perks, especially in terms of miles accumulation, travel benefits, and business expense management. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the key features, benefits, and whether this card is worth considering for your business.
What Is the Barclay AA Business Card?
The Barclay AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® is a co-branded card designed for business owners who frequently travel with American Airlines. It’s part of the AAdvantage program, a popular frequent-flyer program, allowing cardholders to accumulate miles on American Airlines purchases as well as everyday business expenses.
The card is ideal for business owners who want to take advantage of rewards on flights, office supplies, and other eligible categories while enjoying travel perks that can simplify and enhance their business travel experience.
Key Benefits of the Barclay AAdvantage Aviator Business Card
1. Generous Sign-Up Bonus
One of the standout features of the Barclay AA Business card is its hefty sign-up bonus. Currently, you can earn up to 75,000 AAdvantage® miles by meeting spending thresholds:
- 50,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 90 days.
- Additional 25,000 miles after spending a total of $10,000 within the first 12 months.
This makes the card appealing for businesses with substantial monthly expenses, as these miles can be redeemed for flights and other rewards within the American Airlines ecosystem.
2. Earn Miles on Business Purchases
With this card, you earn:
- 2X AAdvantage miles for every dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, including airfare, baggage fees, and in-flight purchases.
- 2X miles on select business categories like office supplies, telecom services, and car rentals.
- 1X mile per dollar on all other purchases.
For business owners frequently on the road, this can add up quickly, helping to maximize the value of everyday business expenses.
3. Travel Perks
Business travel becomes more comfortable with a range of travel perks:
- First checked bag free for the cardholder and up to four companions on domestic flights.
- Priority boarding, allowing you and your travel companions to board earlier, ensuring you find space for your carry-on.
- 25% savings on in-flight purchases when using the card for food, beverages, and other eligible services.
These benefits alone can offset the card’s modest $95 annual fee, especially if you and your employees frequently fly on American Airlines.
4. Companion Certificate
After spending $30,000 in a calendar year, you earn a companion certificate. This allows a companion to fly with you on a round-trip domestic flight for just $99, plus taxes and fees. This perk can be highly valuable for businesses with frequent internal travel needs.
5. 5% AAdvantage Mileage Bonus
Each year, after the account anniversary, cardholders receive a 5% mileage bonus based on the miles earned in the previous year. This is an additional reward that can significantly boost your mile balance over time.
6. No Foreign Transaction Fees
For businesses with international operations or frequent overseas travel, the card also offers no foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective choice for spending abroad.
Costs and Fees
While the Barclay AA Business card offers excellent perks, it’s essential to consider the associated fees:
- Annual Fee: $95 (not waived for the first year).
- Cash advance fees, late payment fees, and balance transfer fees can add up, so it’s important to manage your account responsibly to avoid unnecessary charges.
How Does the Barclay AA Business Card Compare?
If you’re considering the Barclay AA Business card, it’s crucial to compare it with other business credit cards, especially those that offer flexible points. Cards like the Chase Ink Business Preferred® or American Express Business Gold Card® offer transferable points to various airlines, giving you more options beyond American Airlines.
However, if you’re loyal to American Airlines, the Barclay AA Business card provides more targeted rewards that can be extremely valuable, particularly if you frequently fly with the airline.
FAQs
1. Who should get the Barclay AAdvantage Aviator Business card?
Business owners who travel frequently with American Airlines or those who want to earn miles on everyday business purchases will find this card especially rewarding.
2. Can I use AAdvantage miles for non-airline purchases?
Yes, AAdvantage miles can be redeemed for more than just flights. You can use them for car rentals, hotel stays, vacation packages, and even for upgrading to a higher cabin class.
3. How do I earn the companion certificate?
To earn the companion certificate, you must spend at least $30,000 in a calendar year. Once earned, your companion can fly with you for a reduced fare of $99 (plus taxes and fees) on domestic American Airlines flights.
4. Is the $95 annual fee worth it?
The value of the free checked bags, priority boarding, and sign-up bonus can easily outweigh the $95 annual fee, particularly for frequent flyers.
5. Does the card offer any business-specific benefits?
Yes, in addition to travel rewards, the card allows you to earn miles on office supplies, telecom services, and car rentals—expenses common in many businesses.
Final Thoughts
The Barclay AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® is a strong contender for businesses that frequently fly with American Airlines. Between the lucrative sign-up bonus, travel perks, and ability to earn miles on everyday business expenses, this card can significantly benefit business owners looking to maximize their travel rewards. However, if flexibility in point redemption is more important to your business, you might want to explore other options that allow point transfers to various airlines.
