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 Chase Sapphire Preferred
Both are well-respected travel cards. The AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard comes from Barclays at $95/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 ($590 more in estimated value) than the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard's. Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred first; revisit the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard | Chase Sapphire Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | 65,000 miles | 75,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $910 | $1,500 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $1,000 in 3 mo | $5,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Barclays | Chase |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (American) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | aadvantage | chase-ur |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard
$95/yr · 65,000 miles
Read the full review
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$95/yr · 75,000 points
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 Business Mastercard or Chase Sapphire Preferred?
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred has the bigger bonus — 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,500, 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred?
- 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the AAdvantage Aviator Business 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 Business Mastercard or the Chase Sapphire Preferred first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard: $1,000 spend in 3 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.