Updated: October 18, 2024
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The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is better for those without strong airline loyalty due to its more generous sign-up bonus and travel perks, including priority boarding and a free checked bag.
However, JetBlue Plus Card's six points on JetBlue purchases and big sign-up bonus make it a strong contender.
The JetBlue Plus is likely to be better for frequent JetBlue travelers looking to maximize rewards on JetBlue purchases. It offers six points on JetBlue fares, plus perks like a free checked bag and 10% points back on award redemptions. However, if you rarely fly with JetBlue or prefer a wider range of destinations, this card may not be the best fit.
The AA Aviator Red World Elite is likely to be better for frequent American Airlines travelers who want to maximize travel perks. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, priority boarding and a free checked bag, catering to those who value convenience and savings on American Airlines flights. However, it may not suit those who prefer earning rewards on a wider range of purchases, as it primarily benefits American Airlines spending.
A point-by-point comparison helps you evaluate features like APRs, fees and rewards. For instance, if you're focused on rewards, the JetBlue Plus offers six points on JetBlue purchases, while the AA Aviator Red World Elite provides two miles on American Airlines purchases.
Regular APR: Tie
Both cards have a regular APR of 21.24%–29.99%.
Annual Fee: Tie
Both cards have an annual fee of $99.
Introductory 0% APRs: Tie
Neither card offers an introductory 0% APR on purchases or balance transfers.
Rewards: JetBlue Plus
The JetBlue Plus offers six points on JetBlue purchases and two points at restaurants and grocery stores. In contrast, the AA Aviator Red World Elite provides two miles on American Airlines purchases and one mile on other purchases.
Welcome Offers: AA Aviator Red World Elite
The AA Aviator Red World Elite offers 60,000 AAdvantage miles after your first purchase and annual fee payment, providing a higher return on investment (ROI) than JetBlue Plus' 50,000 points after spending $1,000 and paying the annual fee.
Recommended Credit Score: AA Aviator Red World Elite
The AA Aviator Red World Elite requires a good to excellent credit score (670–850), while the JetBlue Plus needs an excellent score (740–850), making it less accessible.
Penalties and Fees: Tie
Both cards charge up to $40 for late payments, have no penalty APRs and impose a cash advance fee of either $10 or 5%. Neither card charges foreign transaction fees.
Issuer Satisfaction: Tie
Barclays Bank Delaware issues both cards, so they share the same issuer satisfaction scores.
Card Benefits: AA Aviator Red World Elite
The AA Aviator Red World Elite offers travel insurance and inflight savings, with an expected value of $779 compared to JetBlue Plus' $343.
The JetBlue Plus generally offers better value for those who frequently fly with JetBlue due to its higher earning rates on JetBlue purchases and dining. TrueBlue points are valued at around 1.45 cents, making them a strong option for JetBlue loyalists.
The AA Aviator Red World Elite provides value for American Airlines travelers, with AAdvantage miles valued at roughly 1.6 cents. However, its lower earning rates on non-airline purchases may limit its appeal for everyday spending.
For those without strong airline loyalty, the JetBlue Plus’ broader earning categories may offer more flexibility. The table below summarizes the bonus categories for each card.
Category | JetBlue Plus | AA Aviator Red World Elite |
|---|---|---|
JetBlue Purchases | 6X points | 1X mile |
American Airlines Purchases | 1X point | 2X miles |
Dining | 2X points | 1X mile |
Groceries | 2X points | 1X mile |
All Other Purchases | 1X point | 1X mile |
JetBlue Plus points offer flexibility, redeemable for any seat on JetBlue flights without expiration. Aviator Red miles can be used with over 20 partner airlines but expire after 18 months of inactivity. JetBlue Plus' flexible redemption is a strong advantage, while AA Aviator Red World Elite's partner options add complexity.
The JetBlue Plus offers 5,000 bonus points on anniversaries and a 10% points accelerator, appealing to those who want to maximize redemptions. Both cards provide free checked bags, but the JetBlue Plus covers more companions, making it better for group travelers.
The AA Aviator Red World Elite offers greater benefits for travelers who value comprehensive travel insurance and preferred boarding. Its travel insurance provides peace of mind, while preferred boarding enhances the travel experience.
Travel Perks
Status
Credits and Discounts
All Other Perks
Travel Perks
Status
Insurance and Protections
Credits and Discounts
All Other Perks
The JetBlue Plus offers six points on JetBlue purchases, while the AA Aviator Red World Elite gives two miles on American Airlines purchases.
The AA Aviator Red World Elite has a better welcome offer of 60,000 bonus miles after the first purchase, compared to JetBlue Plus' 50,000 points after spending $1,000.
Both cards have a $99 annual fee.
Both are cards with no foreign transaction fees.
The AA Aviator Red World Elite requires good to excellent credit (670–850), but you need excellent credit (740–850) for the JetBlue Plus.
MoneyGeek's scoring process evaluates each card based on multiple use cases, ensuring the scores reflect the cards' strengths. In this comparison, the scores shown represent the best performance of each card in the 'Airline' category. Several factors determine this score:
For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
