Apr 29, 2015, 6:33 am
Last edit by: ZenFlyer
AAdvantage Aviator Silver and Red Cards from BarclayCard
There are five AAdvantage-linked Aviator-branded cards by Barclaycard. Two of them can be applied for directly, the other three are upgrades or downgrades after receiving a Red card.The Many Flavors of Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator
Where can I see information on all available Barclays Barclaycard AAdvantage cards?
Aviator Red (On AA.com)
Aviator Silver (On AA.com)
Aviator Business (On AA.com)
Red cardholders may receive an offer to upgrade to Aviator Silver after a period of time that varies, usually 3-11 months. The offer appears in the online "Offers" section, if it is declined there may be no simple way to receive the upgrade. Be careful with your clicking! Silver benefits begin at the start of the next statement, but the increased annual fee won't hit until the next card-member year starts.
Aviator Silver Vs Red
Annual Fee: Silver $199 Red $99
Miles on AA Purchases: Silver 3x Red 2x
Miles on hotels and car rentals: Silver 2x, Red 1x
Miles on all other purchases: Silver 1x, Red 1x
Bonus Loyalty Points: Silver 5k LP after $20k/$40k/$50k Per Status Year Red None
In-Flight Food & Beverage: Silver $25 back/day Red 25% back
Wifi Credits: Silver $50/anniversary year Red $25/anniversary year
Companion Ticket: Silver 2 Companions Red 1 Companion (Minimum Anniversary-Year Spend Required for both)
PreCheck/Global Entry: Silver $100 credit Red No Credit
Card Benefit Details
FlyerTalk thread Citi & Barclaycard AAdvantage Credit Card Free Domestic Checked Bag / Baggage
Aviator Silver Bonus Loyalty Points: Bonuses are based on spend during status year, not anniversary year. When upgrading to Silver your Red spending will carry over. Five thousand Loyalty Points after spending $20k/$40k/$50k. You cannot stack multiple Silver accounts to earn this multiple times.
Companion Certificate: $20k in anniversary year spend required, issued about 45 days after you annual fee hits. Red gets one companion, Silver can have two. $99+tax for companions, round-trip 48 contiguous US States only unless you live in Alaska or Hawaii, in which case you may fly from your home state to the 48.
Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Silver and Red Cards (master thread)
Nov 14, 2020, 5:56 pm
#646
Join Date: Dec 2019
Programs: AA: Exec Plat; AC: 75K; JX: Explorer; HH: Dia; Bonvoy: Gold; Wyndham: Dia
Posts: 298
I am curious. To those who are receiving these offers, had you been actively using the card recently? I use mine regularly and have not seen any of these offers.
Nov 14, 2020, 6:17 pm
#647
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Tit, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold, Carlson Gold, UA*S,
Posts: 1,363
I have hardly used the card at all this year. Maybe once or twice, if that. It was sock-drawed
- but I am def going to use it to grab that 60K.
Nov 14, 2020, 9:15 pm
#648
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Westchester Co, NY or Rio Grande Valley, TX or ???
Programs: BAEC G, WN A-, Hyatt G, HH G, MAR T, Hz PC, was [UA2P, FL A+Elite, BD G]
Posts: 2,271
I haven't used the card in months.
Nov 15, 2020, 5:31 am
#649
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
I only got the lowest-tier addt'l. 3X (so 4X total) at Amazon, Best Buy, Apple, Walmart, and Target (Aviator Red). Pretty disappointed after seeing the other incredible offers people have been getting, mostly on dormant cards.
You would think Barclays would give the excellent offers to active users as a reward for loyalty and the lower offers to those with dormant cards as a small stimulus to start using them again. Obviously, those who weren't using their cards will grab the bonus and return them to the sock drawer.
You would think Barclays would give the excellent offers to active users as a reward for loyalty and the lower offers to those with dormant cards as a small stimulus to start using them again. Obviously, those who weren't using their cards will grab the bonus and return them to the sock drawer.
Nov 15, 2020, 6:45 am
#650
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Virginia
Programs: HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott nobody
Posts: 470
I also received the lower offer by email (3x, but no 50,000 points kicker). I had to enroll through the link in the email. I tried to look for this offer in my online account without going through the email link first, and could not find the any offer. So I used the link which asked for my account number and online password.
I hardly used my Aviator Red this year, may be just once or twice for less than $100 in total.
This offer seems to be just like the Chase offers, and American Express offers. If you use that card on a particular merchant regularly, you would not get an offer on that card for that merchant. I go to Lowes regularly this year and used my CSR and other cards. The only offer I got from Chase for Lowes is the IHG card in the sock drawer. I guess the concept is not to reward you for what you are already doing, but to offer reward to make you starting using a particular card again. (Get it into you wallet from the sock drawer)
I hardly used my Aviator Red this year, may be just once or twice for less than $100 in total.
This offer seems to be just like the Chase offers, and American Express offers. If you use that card on a particular merchant regularly, you would not get an offer on that card for that merchant. I go to Lowes regularly this year and used my CSR and other cards. The only offer I got from Chase for Lowes is the IHG card in the sock drawer. I guess the concept is not to reward you for what you are already doing, but to offer reward to make you starting using a particular card again. (Get it into you wallet from the sock drawer)
Nov 21, 2020, 1:22 am
#651
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
Oddly enough, the upgrade offer appeared today. Funny timing! Looks like I'll be joining the Silver club! As a no-status, the 2 companion tickets, wifi credit, luggage, and food credit should easily offset the fee and much more.
Nov 21, 2020, 3:23 pm
#652
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: AA Plat/2MM, DL Silver, UA Silver (via Marr), Marr LTT, HH Gold (via cc), Hyatt Disc
Posts: 1,039
Hi, my daughter has the red card and regularly uses it for Venmo payments (yes, I know, not a good practice). For 3 years, Barclay's has treated these as Purchases, regardless of the end use, even dozens of transfers to friends. The last two (occurred in November), however, were classified as Cash Advances and triggered cash advance fees and interest. She did online chat with Barclay's and the rep says it depends on the merchant code and that nothing has changed on their side. When she pointed out that she's done dozens of similar transactions that weren't classified as Cash Advances, he said, "that's on us and we won't retroactively charge you for them" (how gracious
).
A few questions for the crowd here:
- Has anyone else experienced this (though I assume most of you are wise enough not to link venmo to a credit card)?
- Does it seem likely that Barclay's can actually access venmo's merchant codes to determine what is Cash vs a Purchase?
- Any ideas for pushing back on the two Cash Advance fees?
It's not a huge deal if I'm end up stuck with them and we have delinked venmo from the card to avoid future fees.
Thanks
).A few questions for the crowd here:
- Has anyone else experienced this (though I assume most of you are wise enough not to link venmo to a credit card)?
- Does it seem likely that Barclay's can actually access venmo's merchant codes to determine what is Cash vs a Purchase?
- Any ideas for pushing back on the two Cash Advance fees?
It's not a huge deal if I'm end up stuck with them and we have delinked venmo from the card to avoid future fees.
Thanks
Last edited by bosman; Nov 21, 2020 at 3:34 pm
Nov 21, 2020, 5:06 pm
#653
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,626
A few questions for the crowd here:
- Has anyone else experienced this (though I assume most of you are wise enough not to link venmo to a credit card)?
- Does it seem likely that Barclay's can actually access venmo's merchant codes to determine what is Cash vs a Purchase?
- Any ideas for pushing back on the two Cash Advance fees?
- Has anyone else experienced this (though I assume most of you are wise enough not to link venmo to a credit card)?
- Does it seem likely that Barclay's can actually access venmo's merchant codes to determine what is Cash vs a Purchase?
- Any ideas for pushing back on the two Cash Advance fees?
Beware the Fees That Come With Some Money Transfers on Apps
***
But there has been a change in the way the money transfers are coded as they zip from your phone and move through the Visa and Mastercard payment networks. That change enables banks to also charge their own, separate cash advance fees — typically $10 but sometimes much more — for payments made using credit cards on those networks. The fees don’t apply when customers make a purchase.
***
In other words, card-issuing banks asked that the apps and payment networks flag cash transfers to distinguish them from purchases. In the credit card world, cash advances are considered riskier and carry higher fees. Credit cards typically charge the fees when customers use the cards to obtain cash from an A.T.M. or to transfer money using services like Western Union. Credit cards also charge a much higher rate on the amount advanced, and there’s no grace period before the interest starts growing.
The change formally took effect in September [2019] after months of talks so that payment apps could give advance notice to their customers, said William Stickney, a Visa spokesman. It’s not yet clear how many banks are now charging for the cash transfers. A spokesman for Cash App said in an email that it appeared that “very few banks and cards are choosing to charge the fee.”
***
Chase is not charging its credit card holders the cash advance fee for peer-to-peer payments, a spokesman said. Citibank is charging the fees when the transactions are classified as a money transfer. Other big banks that issue credit cards, including Capital One and Wells Fargo, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
***
But there has been a change in the way the money transfers are coded as they zip from your phone and move through the Visa and Mastercard payment networks. That change enables banks to also charge their own, separate cash advance fees — typically $10 but sometimes much more — for payments made using credit cards on those networks. The fees don’t apply when customers make a purchase.
***
In other words, card-issuing banks asked that the apps and payment networks flag cash transfers to distinguish them from purchases. In the credit card world, cash advances are considered riskier and carry higher fees. Credit cards typically charge the fees when customers use the cards to obtain cash from an A.T.M. or to transfer money using services like Western Union. Credit cards also charge a much higher rate on the amount advanced, and there’s no grace period before the interest starts growing.
The change formally took effect in September [2019] after months of talks so that payment apps could give advance notice to their customers, said William Stickney, a Visa spokesman. It’s not yet clear how many banks are now charging for the cash transfers. A spokesman for Cash App said in an email that it appeared that “very few banks and cards are choosing to charge the fee.”
***
Chase is not charging its credit card holders the cash advance fee for peer-to-peer payments, a spokesman said. Citibank is charging the fees when the transactions are classified as a money transfer. Other big banks that issue credit cards, including Capital One and Wells Fargo, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
***
Dec 17, 2020, 6:05 am
#654
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MIA
Posts: 298
When AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard says "cardmembers receive application fee credit for Global Entry, up to $100 every 5 years" do they mean exactly 5 years?
Case in point - I've now had Global Entry for 4.5 years and need to renew. When I initially signed up for Global Entry I received the statement credit, as expected but that was 4.5 years ago. As I read it, in order to receive a statement credit for Global Entry renewal, I need to wait 5 years from the initial sign-up, in which case my Global Entry will have expired.
So the question is simply, if you renew Global Entry at 4.5 years, do you still receive a statement credit, or will Barclays say "Sorry, less than 5 years..no statement credit"?
Case in point - I've now had Global Entry for 4.5 years and need to renew. When I initially signed up for Global Entry I received the statement credit, as expected but that was 4.5 years ago. As I read it, in order to receive a statement credit for Global Entry renewal, I need to wait 5 years from the initial sign-up, in which case my Global Entry will have expired.
So the question is simply, if you renew Global Entry at 4.5 years, do you still receive a statement credit, or will Barclays say "Sorry, less than 5 years..no statement credit"?
Last edited by SouthernCross; Dec 17, 2020 at 6:13 am
Dec 17, 2020, 12:18 pm
#655
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,626
When AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard says "cardmembers receive application fee credit for Global Entry, up to $100 every 5 years" do they mean exactly 5 years?
Case in point - I've now had Global Entry for 4.5 years and need to renew. When I initially signed up for Global Entry I received the statement credit, as expected but that was 4.5 years ago. As I read it, in order to receive a statement credit for Global Entry renewal, I need to wait 5 years from the initial sign-up, in which case my Global Entry will have expired.
So the question is simply, if you renew Global Entry at 4.5 years, do you still receive a statement credit, or will Barclays say "Sorry, less than 5 years..no statement credit"?
Case in point - I've now had Global Entry for 4.5 years and need to renew. When I initially signed up for Global Entry I received the statement credit, as expected but that was 4.5 years ago. As I read it, in order to receive a statement credit for Global Entry renewal, I need to wait 5 years from the initial sign-up, in which case my Global Entry will have expired.
So the question is simply, if you renew Global Entry at 4.5 years, do you still receive a statement credit, or will Barclays say "Sorry, less than 5 years..no statement credit"?
FWIIW, Chase will issue GE application fee statement credit every four years to United Explorer MileagePlus cardholders.
Dec 17, 2020, 5:44 pm
#657
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: AA EXP and Marriott Titanium
Posts: 776
Miles post on the statement date after meeting the min spend/purchase and paying the annual fee in full. If you haven't had a statement yet and want the miles on your first statement, push your total balance plus the AF amount from your bank (so you're overpaying by the AF amount) and you'll get it on your first statement. If you wait to pay the AF, the miles will be on your second statement.
Dec 17, 2020, 11:14 pm
#658
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Thank you Drwaz99 is this offer tied to the annual fee? I'm referring to the 10x for every $1 spent + 50k points after $3k spend offer, not a cc sign up offer.
I'm rereading the email with the offer and I just see that your account needs to be in good standing/active. I don't see anything about the annual fee. That said, my AF did post and I paid it recently and that statement closed with the spend closed already. So I guess it's just a matter of waiting a few more weeks for the next statement.
Since we have 60 days to get an AF refund, I still have a few weeks after the statement with the 60k points posts to get my AF refunded. Is it not advised to call to get my AF refund/cancel the card or do you think I need to keep the card open since it is still technically during the promotional period.
Thanks all.
I'm rereading the email with the offer and I just see that your account needs to be in good standing/active. I don't see anything about the annual fee. That said, my AF did post and I paid it recently and that statement closed with the spend closed already. So I guess it's just a matter of waiting a few more weeks for the next statement.
Since we have 60 days to get an AF refund, I still have a few weeks after the statement with the 60k points posts to get my AF refunded. Is it not advised to call to get my AF refund/cancel the card or do you think I need to keep the card open since it is still technically during the promotional period.
Thanks all.
Dec 18, 2020, 2:40 am
#659
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: AA EXP and Marriott Titanium
Posts: 776
Thank you Drwaz99 is this offer tied to the annual fee? I'm referring to the 10x for every $1 spent + 50k points after $3k spend offer, not a cc sign up offer.
I'm rereading the email with the offer and I just see that your account needs to be in good standing/active. I don't see anything about the annual fee. That said, my AF did post and I paid it recently and that statement closed with the spend closed already. So I guess it's just a matter of waiting a few more weeks for the next statement.
Since we have 60 days to get an AF refund, I still have a few weeks after the statement with the 60k points posts to get my AF refunded. Is it not advised to call to get my AF refund/cancel the card or do you think I need to keep the card open since it is still technically during the promotional period.
Thanks all.
I'm rereading the email with the offer and I just see that your account needs to be in good standing/active. I don't see anything about the annual fee. That said, my AF did post and I paid it recently and that statement closed with the spend closed already. So I guess it's just a matter of waiting a few more weeks for the next statement.
Since we have 60 days to get an AF refund, I still have a few weeks after the statement with the 60k points posts to get my AF refunded. Is it not advised to call to get my AF refund/cancel the card or do you think I need to keep the card open since it is still technically during the promotional period.
Thanks all.
Dec 18, 2020, 6:58 am
#660
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
An offer like that would have me keep the card open another year even if I had planned on closing it prior to the offer. It honestly just seems like the right thing to do after receiving such a generous offer...
(I only received a lesser 4X offer for a number of stores.)
(I only received a lesser 4X offer for a number of stores.)