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AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority

Both are well-respected travel cards. The AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard comes from Barclays at $95/yr; the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority from Chase at $149/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.

FeatureAAdvantage Aviator Business MastercardSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority
Annual fee$95$149
Sign-up bonus65,000 miles50,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$910$700
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in 3 mo$1,000 in 3 mo
IssuerBarclaysChase
Card categorybusinessairline
Best earning category (American)2x1x
Transfer partnersaadvantageNone
Headline benefits
  • Free bag for 5 travelers
  • $30k spend = companion cert
  • Easy 65k sign-up
  • 2x on AA
  • 7,500 anniversary points
  • $75 annual travel credit
  • 4 upgraded boardings/year
  • Low $1,000 minimum spend
Read the full review
AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard
$95/yr · 65,000 miles
Read the full review
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
$149/yr · 50,000 points

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.

Editorial take: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority

If Southwest is your airline, this is the card to have. The anniversary points and $75 travel credit nearly cover the annual fee, and the low $1,000 minimum spend makes the bonus easy to earn.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard or Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority?
The AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard has the bigger bonus — 65,000 miles, worth roughly $910, versus 50,000 points (~$700) on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority.
Is the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority?
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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard and Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority?
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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard: $1,000 spend in 3 months. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: $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.