Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority vs Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red: Which Is Better In 2025?

AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® stands out to us.

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• Cardholders get valuable travel perks on American Airlines, including a free first checked bag and preferred boarding.
• You can earn AAdvantage miles on every purchase, and while there is an annual fee, the card has no foreign transaction fees.
• The $99 annual fee is easily offset by using the free checked bag benefit on just two domestic round-trip flights per year (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Features a generous welcome bonus that is uniquely easy to earn.
• Receive a companion certificate each year on your account anniversary for a guest to fly with you on a qualifying domestic trip.
• Enjoy a first checked bag free for you and up to four companions on domestic American Airlines flights.

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Cons

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• Carries an annual fee, making it less ideal for travelers who do not fly American Airlines frequently.
• The rewards earning rate on everyday purchases is less competitive compared to general travel cards.
• Benefits are tied specifically to American Airlines, offering less flexibility than cards with transferable points.

AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority or the Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® Red, ultimately depends on your airline loyalty and travel style. Both cards are designed for frequent flyers but cater to very different travel needs.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is best for loyal Southwest flyers, especially those looking to earn the Companion Pass® or take advantage of the airline's family-friendly policies and extensive domestic network.
• AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is ideal for frequent American Airlines travelers who want to earn miles quickly and value perks like free checked bags, preferred boarding, and an annual companion certificate.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed through the Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights on Southwest Airlines, with the value of points tied directly to the cash price of the flight.

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AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: Miles are redeemed through the American Airlines AAdvantage® program for flights on American Airlines and its extensive network of oneworld® alliance partners, offering a wide range of options for international travel.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card waive foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for purchases made abroad.
• Travel Credits and Rebates: The Southwest card provides an annual travel credit applicable to Southwest purchases and offers rebates on in-flight expenses like drinks and Wi-Fi. In contrast, the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red card offers statement credits specifically for in-flight Wi-Fi purchases on American Airlines operated flights.
• Lounge Access: Neither card grants complimentary access to airport lounges. Their value propositions are built around direct savings and in-flight benefits rather than pre-departure comforts.
• Companion Perks: Each card offers a distinct path to bringing a friend along. The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red card features an annual companion certificate (after meeting spending and renewal requirements) that allows a guest to fly for a set price plus taxes and fees. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority card, on the other hand, helps you earn points toward the Southwest Companion Pass®, one of the most valuable travel perks available, which allows a designated companion to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're looking to simplify the decision-making process, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: The platform's standout feature allows you to ‘Test Drive’ a credit card before you apply. By securely connecting your bank accounts, Kudos analyzes your real spending data to project your potential earnings with a new card, taking the guesswork out of the equation.
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Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for frequent Southwest flyers who can fully leverage its suite of airline-specific perks. This includes travelers aiming to fast-track their way to A-List status or earn the highly sought-after Companion Pass® through their everyday spending. It's also an excellent choice for families and domestic travelers who value Southwest's flexible policies and want to maximize rewards on a card that aligns with their loyalty, making this premium card a worthwhile investment.

Who Should Choose the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®?

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The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is tailor-made for frequent American Airlines flyers looking to quickly accumulate miles on their everyday spending. Cardholders who value travel perks will particularly benefit from the free first checked bag, preferred boarding, and an annual companion certificate. As detailed in a comprehensive review, this card is best suited for individuals with a good to excellent credit history.

Alternatives to Consider

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So, you've reviewed the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs. Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red comparison and decided neither card is for you. Fortunately, the world of travel rewards cards is vast, and there are several other excellent options to explore.

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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit - Most airline cards require a good to excellent credit score for approval.
• Plan for the welcome offer - Ensure you can meet any minimum spending requirements without overspending.
• Confirm your airline loyalty - The best benefits are for frequent flyers of the co-branded airline.

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Application Strategy

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• Look for unique offer requirements - Some cards, like the AAdvantage Aviator Red, have easily attainable welcome offers.
• Consider issuer-specific rules - Issuers like Chase may have application limits that can affect your approval odds.
• Check for upgrade paths - You may be able to upgrade an existing card from the same airline family instead of applying for a new one.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Which card is better if I'm loyal to one airline?

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Your airline loyalty is the deciding factor here. If you primarily fly Southwest Airlines, the Rapid Rewards Priority card is designed for you, while the AAdvantage Aviator Red card is the superior choice for frequent American Airlines flyers.

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What are the annual fees for each card?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card carries a $149 annual fee. The Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard has a $99 annual fee.

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Can I have both the Southwest and American Airlines cards?

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Yes, you can absolutely hold both cards at the same time since they are from different issuers and belong to separate loyalty programs. This can be a smart strategy for travelers who fly both airlines and want to maximize their benefits.

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