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Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card vs AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card comes from American Express at $125/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

For most people the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card is the stronger pick today — the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($590 more in estimated value) than the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard's. Get the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card first; revisit the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureMarriott Bonvoy Business American Express CardAAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard
Annual fee$125$95
Sign-up bonus3 free nights65,000 miles
Bonus value (est.)$1,500$910
Min spend to unlock bonus$6,000 in 6 mo$1,000 in 3 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressBarclays
Card categoryhotelbusiness
Best earning category (Marriott)6x1x
Transfer partnersmarriott-bonvoyaadvantage
Headline benefits
  • Annual 35k Free Night Award
  • 15 elite nights/year
  • 6x at Marriott
  • Silver status
  • Free bag for 5 travelers
  • $30k spend = companion cert
  • Easy 65k sign-up
  • 2x on AA
Read the full review
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card
$125/yr · 3 free nights
Read the full review
AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard
$95/yr · 65,000 miles

Editorial take: Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

The Marriott business card pulls its weight on the annual Free Night cert alone — a 35k cat-property is routinely $250-400/night cash. Add 15 elite night credits and the dining stipend and the $125 fee is easy.

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, Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card or AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard?
The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card has the bigger bonus — 3 free nights, worth roughly $1,500, versus 65,000 miles (~$910) on the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard.
Is the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card's $125 annual fee worth it compared to the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard?
At $125/yr, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express 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 Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express 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 Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card or the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card: $6,000 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.