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Hilton Honors American Express Business Card vs AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card comes from American Express at $195/yr; the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard from Barclays at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureHilton Honors American Express Business CardAAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard
Annual fee$195$95
Sign-up bonus175,000 points65,000 miles
Bonus value (est.)$875$910
Min spend to unlock bonus$8,000 in 6 mo$1,000 in 3 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressBarclays
Card categoryhotelbusiness
Best earning category (Hilton)12x1x
Transfer partnershilton-honorsaadvantage
Headline benefits
  • 12x at Hilton
  • Free night cert after $15k spend
  • Second free night after $60k
  • Hilton Gold status
  • Free bag for 5 travelers
  • $30k spend = companion cert
  • Easy 65k sign-up
  • 2x on AA
Read the full review
Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
$195/yr · 175,000 points
Read the full review
AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard
$95/yr · 65,000 miles

Editorial take: Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

If you stay at Hiltons, this is the underrated middle tier — the $60/quarter credit + the $15k-spend Free Night routinely cover the $195 fee, and Gold status is real value at any Hilton property.

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.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors American Express Business Card or AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard?
The AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard has the bigger bonus — 65,000 miles, worth roughly $910, versus 175,000 points (~$875) on the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.
Is the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card's $195 annual fee worth it compared to the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard?
At $195/yr, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card and AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Barclays) 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 Hilton Honors American Express Business Card or the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: $8,000 spend in 6 months. AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard: $1,000 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.