AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® vs. Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Side-by-side comparison · Updated 2026 · Independently reviewed
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
Barclays
4.0
60,000-mile bonus after first purchase. Free checked bag on AA flights.
Full review →
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Discover
4.5
Secured card that earns 2% at gas and restaurants (up to $1,000/quarter). Cashback Match year one.
Full review →WealthSpott Verdict
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® wins on more measurable categories — particularly annual cost. Discover it® Secured Credit Card may still win for your wallet depending on how you spend.
Feature
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red
Discover it® Secured
Annual Fee
$99/yr
$0 Best
Sign-up Bonus
60,000 miles
Cashback Match
Rewards Rate
1x-2x
1%-2%
Rewards Type
Miles
Cash Back
0% Intro APR
N/A
N/A
Regular APR
21.49%-29.49% Variable Best
28.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fee
None Best
Yes
Recommended Credit Score
670-850
300-669
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
Pros
- 60,000-mile bonus after just one purchase
- Free first checked bag on AA flights
- Preferred boarding on American Airlines
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- $99 annual fee
- Low everyday earning rate (1x on most)
- Miles tied to American Airlines only
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Pros
- Earns rewards while building credit
- Cashback Match first year
Cons
- Requires refundable security deposit
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