I earned 60,000 miles after just one purchase — and this card quickly became my go-to travel companion with real, tangible benefits.
Luana Ribeiro · June 10, 2025 · 3 minutes
When I first got the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red Mastercard®, I wasn’t expecting much.
But earning 60,000 bonus miles after a single purchase and paying the $99 annual fee? Choose the card with the limit you want:
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The bonus alone was enough to cover a round-trip domestic flight for me, and that felt like instant value.
But what really stood out were the perks that made my trips smoother — like getting my first checked bag free and priority boarding on American Airlines flights.
I earn 2x miles on all American Airlines purchases and 1x on everything else, which adds up fast — especially since the miles also count as Loyalty Points, helping me reach elite status quicker.
Inflight, I save 25% on food and drinks, which is a nice touch.
And since there are no foreign transaction fees, I used the card confidently while traveling abroad without worrying about extra charges.
After the first year, I also received a companion certificate — meaning a friend or partner can fly with me for just the cost of taxes and fees. That perk alone can save hundreds of dollars annually.
If you’re an American Airlines flyer — even just a few times per year — this card delivers real value.
I didn’t have to spend thousands to get a great return, and the ongoing benefits easily justify the annual fee in my opinion.
You can earn 60,000 bonus miles simply by making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee. There's no minimum spending requirement mentioned beyond that.
The primary perks include your first checked bag free, priority boarding on American Airlines flights, and a 25% discount on in-flight food and drink purchases.
You earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on American Airlines purchases and 1 mile for every dollar on all other purchases. These miles also count as Loyalty Points, helping you achieve elite status faster.
Yes, the card is a good choice for traveling abroad because it has no foreign transaction fees, which helps you avoid extra charges on your purchases.
The companion certificate is a benefit you receive after the first year of having the card. It allows a travel partner to fly with you for only the cost of taxes and fees, offering significant savings.
Luana Ribeiro
I'm Luana Ribeiro, a 24-year-old from São Paulo, Brazil. I have a degree in Psychology, but I currently work as a writer and head of content at Cashflowlr. My job is to turn ideas into engaging, clear, and relevant content. I specialize in strategic communication, copywriting, and SEO. I’m skilled at adapting language to different audiences and niches, always aiming to create value and connection through words. Organized and passionate about writing, I continue to grow in the content field, constantly learning and crafting texts that inform, inspire, and communicate with purpose and authenticity.
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