In fall 2019 I was approved for the Barclays American AAdvantage small business card and its 75,000 mile offer. That was a great offer at the time. This one is better: 80,000 AAdvantage miles and a $95 statement credit after $2000 spend in 90 days. The statement credit effectively covers the card’s annual fee.
I have nearly 10 million AAdvantage miles and I’m still tempted to re-consider having this card again in my wallet. As many readers know, base points from spend (so not the initial bonus, and not the additional points from spending in a bonus category) count towards AAdvantage elite status now.
The card earns two points per dollar on American; office supply; telecom; and car rental purchases – not top-of-market earn for your spend but when you factor that you’re also earning 1 point per dollar towards status spend in these categories isn’t bad.
You also earn a $99+tax companion ticket valid for 1 passenger issued after your account anniversary if you spend $30,000 on the card. That’s not as lucrative as the Aviator Silver companion ticket, there are blackout dates and minimum fare class requirements, and they’re coach-only. But I manage to make good use of these.
If you’re a semi-regular American Airlines flyer but don’t earn status, consider that the card comes with first checked bag free and priority boarding – which you might as well benefit from for a year.
Worth flagging that Barclays often declines applicants who have have opened 6 new accounts in the past 24 months, although this isn’t as firm as Chase’s 5/24 rule, big spend on existing Barclays accounts can reportedly override it).
(HT: Miles Earn and Burn)
Any anecdotes on getting approved without an EIN and just applying as a sole proprietor?
just got approved last week under old offer (70K offer). does Barclays match?
Got approved as sole proprietor using SSN, $3000 business income. Most recent new card was Jan 2022.
Sure, you’re tempted, but fine print also states bonus excludes those who closed this card within past 24 months. I’m in that boat as well unfortunately
so you get back $99 back ? Images not following ,, the whole stament credit , or is this referring to bonus valuation .
10 million?! Wowzers. Earn and burn, Gary… earn and burn.
Wowww 10 million miles Gary. How did you do this. Didn’t think it was possible. That’s awesome.
What about getting a second one? I use my current one a fair bit.
How useful is the companion certificate? It says “Companion Certificate good for 1 guest at $99, issued each year after your account anniversary if you spend $30,000 or more on eligible purchases (taxes and fees apply).”
That being said, I probably will only hold the card for one year.