Oct 23, 2018, 1:27 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
AA Barclays Aviator Red will no longer offer the ability to earn EQDs.
AA Barclays Aviator Silver now will only allow earning $3,000 EQD offset by reaching $50,000 spend.
https://onemileatatime.com/american-...fying-dollars/
That article says, in part
Member enpremiere posts
AA Barclays Aviator Silver now will only allow earning $3,000 EQD offset by reaching $50,000 spend.
All AAdvantage Aviator Red and Silver Mastercard holders were sent out this notification on October 22, 2018 and will typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days. - Barclaycard
That article says, in part
For 2019 the benefit is being eliminated entirely except for Aviator Silver cardholders who will 3000 elite qualifying dollars after $50,000 spend (instead of earning 6000).
Anyone who signed up for an Aviator Red Mastercard, or upgraded to an Aviator Silver, between January 1 and October 31, 2018 will keep the pre-existing elite qualifying dollars benefit for 2019, and their benefit will change January 1, 2020.
This policy has been verified elsewhere.
Anyone who signed up for an Aviator Red Mastercard, or upgraded to an Aviator Silver, between January 1 and October 31, 2018 will keep the pre-existing elite qualifying dollars benefit for 2019, and their benefit will change January 1, 2020.
BUT DocD called on 23 Oct to upgrade the Red to Silver and Barclaycard would not do so “because of the upcoming program changes”.
Dear 355F1:
Thank you for contacting us regarding your AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite Mastercard. We can certainly address your inquiry regarding the benefit change on your account.
Your AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite Mastercard will earn $3,000 EQDs at $50,000 spend on purchases starting January 1, 2019. This benefit will then apply for all years moving forward until any additional changes are made to the benefits structure. If benefits are changed in the future, Cardmembers will be sent out a letter informing them of the change. All AAdvantage Aviator Red and Silver Mastercard holders were sent out this notification on October 22, 2018 and will typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days.
We hope you find this information helpful, and we thank you for your continued business. If you have any other questions or concerns, please reply to this message.
Sincerely,
Customer Care
Thank you for contacting us regarding your AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite Mastercard. We can certainly address your inquiry regarding the benefit change on your account.
Your AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite Mastercard will earn $3,000 EQDs at $50,000 spend on purchases starting January 1, 2019. This benefit will then apply for all years moving forward until any additional changes are made to the benefits structure. If benefits are changed in the future, Cardmembers will be sent out a letter informing them of the change. All AAdvantage Aviator Red and Silver Mastercard holders were sent out this notification on October 22, 2018 and will typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days.
We hope you find this information helpful, and we thank you for your continued business. If you have any other questions or concerns, please reply to this message.
Sincerely,
Customer Care
Barclaycard Aviator Red no EQD, Silver $3k EQD Only as of 2019
Oct 26, 2018, 2:32 pm
#76
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: UA GOLD MM,WN CP A+list, HH Gold,MR LT Titanium
Posts: 2,184
For the 89.00 fee, the 10K miles and a free checked bag is valuable as a non elite.
I will lose AA status after this year and plan to apply for the Citi AA card for the checked bag benefit and 10% rebate on awards
Oct 27, 2018, 8:49 am
#79
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
Just called Barclay to determine my red to silver upgrade upgrade date (unfortunately, last October) and express my frustration with the the EQD change. Agent actually told me "this was one of the least used benefits" and a "poll of customers recommended this benefit be cut." Not to worry though and I shouldn't cancel my card because they are about to "roll out many exciting new benefits" (date and exact benefits currently unknown). 
-FlyerBeek
-FlyerBeek
Oct 27, 2018, 9:56 am
#81
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
Received letter reminding me of my upcoming account anniversary and fee. Also reminder of some of the great benefits of the card (Silver). There is no mention of EQD benefits on the right side column of the letter - only EQM and Companion along with the standard stuff. And no mention (yet) of the change. There is also no mention of the 10% reward rebate (up to 10K miles).
For now I will keep the card but drop my spending on it in half, down to the 50K needed for the 3K EQD.
What are the disadvantages of the Business card which gives 3K EQD at $25K spend?
For now I will keep the card but drop my spending on it in half, down to the 50K needed for the 3K EQD.
What are the disadvantages of the Business card which gives 3K EQD at $25K spend?
Last edited by cova; Oct 27, 2018 at 9:00 pm
Oct 27, 2018, 2:05 pm
#82
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 61
I trust you mean EQD. The big different between Business and Silver is that Silver will give you 10k EQM on the way to $50k spent (5k EQM at $20k and another 5k at $40k). If you have no need for the extra EQM then, yes, Business will get you the same 3k EQD for half the spend (assuming that things don't change there, too).
Oct 27, 2018, 2:40 pm
#83
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,816
There are two differences. One is the option to earn EQDs. The second option with the Silver card is that the companion certificate applies to two companions instead of one. For me, this is valuable. My trip, this was a savings of about $700.00
Oct 27, 2018, 3:26 pm
#84
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,513
I am not seeing a waiver for 2019 for those of us who upgraded to Silver in 2018.
Here is their reply to that question:
Dear 355F1:
Thank you for contacting us regarding your AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver World Elite Ma. We can certainly address your inquiry regarding the benefits on your account.
We apologize for any confusion. The change will not effect the ability to earn up to $6,000.00 Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) for 2018. Starting on January 1, 2019 the benefit will change to earning $3,000.00 EQDs for spending $50,000.00.
Here is their reply to that question:
Dear 355F1:
Thank you for contacting us regarding your AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver World Elite Ma. We can certainly address your inquiry regarding the benefits on your account.
We apologize for any confusion. The change will not effect the ability to earn up to $6,000.00 Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) for 2018. Starting on January 1, 2019 the benefit will change to earning $3,000.00 EQDs for spending $50,000.00.
Oct 27, 2018, 8:59 pm
#85
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
I trust you mean EQD. The big different between Business and Silver is that Silver will give you 10k EQM on the way to $50k spent (5k EQM at $20k and another 5k at $40k). If you have no need for the extra EQM then, yes, Business will get you the same 3k EQD for half the spend (assuming that things don't change there, too).
Last edited by cova; Oct 28, 2018 at 8:53 am
Oct 29, 2018, 9:26 pm
#86
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Plat Pro, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 124
Is it possible to downgrade the Silver to Blue, then apply for a new Red card for the additional bonus miles? Or would downgrading count as closing an account under Barclay?
Oct 30, 2018, 3:25 pm
#88
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
Finally received the notification letter (dated Oct 22nd) of the change for the Silver card - $3K EQD at $50K spend.
States "will communicate new product enhancements in early 2010". I am not expecting much.
The letter just highlights 3 main benefits - 10K EQM at spending levels, 3X on flight and 2X on hotels, and the $100 Global Entry fee.
Will keep for now - like having a PIN card that works at international kiosks. May look more seriously at the Business card.
States "will communicate new product enhancements in early 2010". I am not expecting much.
The letter just highlights 3 main benefits - 10K EQM at spending levels, 3X on flight and 2X on hotels, and the $100 Global Entry fee.
Will keep for now - like having a PIN card that works at international kiosks. May look more seriously at the Business card.
Oct 30, 2018, 7:02 pm
#89
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: AA
Posts: 35
Got letter about EQD downgrade, so promptly applied for and got approved for Aviator Business. Came with offer of 60K bonus miles if I used the card by Oct 31. Good timing. Soon enough, I'll cancel the silver.
Citi Exec still useful for Admirals Club and 10K EQM, assuming I spend 25 on the Aviator Business for 3K EQD and 40 on the Citi.
Biggest negative in Citi card: charges by all cardholders (three of us) are unsorted. Over at Barclay, they're neatly separated: you, your lovely daughter, your spendthift spouse. Wish Citi offered that.
Yours for telegraphic brevity.
Citi Exec still useful for Admirals Club and 10K EQM, assuming I spend 25 on the Aviator Business for 3K EQD and 40 on the Citi.
Biggest negative in Citi card: charges by all cardholders (three of us) are unsorted. Over at Barclay, they're neatly separated: you, your lovely daughter, your spendthift spouse. Wish Citi offered that.
Yours for telegraphic brevity.
Oct 30, 2018, 8:23 pm
#90
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 61
Spending $195 in annual fees and putting $50k on Silver gets you the same 10K EQM and 3K EQD as spending $545 in annual fees ($450 + 95) and putting $65k across two cards.