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The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® may appear expensive, but it can more than pay for itself, especially with Admirals Club airport lounge access, and a new elevated welcome bonus. With that and other perks, such as a statement credit to cover the Global Entry/TSA PreCeck application fee, this card can be a steal for American Airlines flyers. Citi is an advertising partner.
Review: Is the Citi Executive Card the best credit card for you?
Do you fly with American Airlines often? Do you constantly spend lengthy stretches at the airport, wishing you could escape to somewhere more quiet and comfortable while you wait? If so, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® is definitely worth considering.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® may seem pricey with its annual fee of $450, but it comes with access to American Airlines Admirals Clubs. Membership will normally set you back $650 if you’re not an elite member of the airline, which makes this credit card a much better deal. Even better, you can add up to 10 authorized users to the card for free — and they’ll all get Admirals Club access, as well.
Moreover, for a limited time, the card is offering Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. The bonus is worth around Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® in travel, based on Insider’s valuations, and can be used in a bunch of different ways (such as international round trips and business class seats).
Currently, the AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® is also offering AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®.
Unfortunately, the card only provides 1 mile per dollar spent on non-American Airlines purchases — so the initial welcome bonus is where the ease of earning ends.
This card is also one of the best for earning American Airlines elite status through spending thanks to its 10,000-Loyalty Point bonus after spending $40,000 during the qualifying status year.
If you’re not a frequent American Airlines flyer (or if you don’t value Admirals Club lounge access), there are other American Airlines credit cards with more palatable annual fees. For example, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® comes with an annual fee of Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® and gives you a handful of similar benefits, including your first checked bag free, preferred boarding, and discounts on inflight purchases.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
How to earn rewards from the Citi Executive Card
Admittedly, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® isn’t a miles-earning virtuoso. You’ll earn 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases (1x on all other eligible purchases).
The bonus categories are both sparse and underwhelming. Cards with significantly lower annual fees have the ability to rack up rewards just as quickly — and for more common purchases. For example:
The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® earns 2x miles on telecommunications merchant, cable/satellite provider, rental car agency, and gas station purchasesThe Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® earns 2 miles per dollar at restaurants and gas stationsThe American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card earns 2 miles per dollar at grocery stores
However, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® does have an earning skill you won’t find on these other cards. You’ll be awarded 10,000 Loyalty Points after spending $40,000 on purchases during each qualifying status year.
Loyalty Points are American Airlines’ new system of earning elite status. You can earn points through flying, via the AA shopping portal, and through spending on an American Airlines credit card. Here’s what you’ll have to earn to achieve status:
Here’s what you’ll have to earn to achieve status:
Gold status: 30,000 Loyalty PointsPlatinum status: 75,000 Loyalty PointsPlatinum Pro status: 125,000 Loyalty PointsExecutive Platinum status: 200,000 Loyalty Points
You’ll earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent on AA credit cards — so the opportunity to accrue 10,000 Loyalty Points with this card is a big deal. By spending $40,000 on the card, you’ll have at least 50,000 Loyalty Points.
How to use American Airlines miles
If your goal is to use miles for flights around the world, racking up rewards in the American AAdvantage program makes a lot of sense. Once you have a stash of miles, you can redeem them with American Airlines and various Oneworld alliance partners including British Airways, Japan Airlines, Qatar, and plenty of others.
American Airlines uses a method called “dynamic pricing” for its award flights. In short, this means you won’t know exactly how much your desired flight will cost unless you search for the specific route and date. Here are some examples of what you can find, however:
One-way domestic flight within the US in economy class on American Airlines for 6,000 milesRound-trip economy class flights to Europe on American Airlines for 60,000 milesOne-way business class flight to Doha on Qatar Airways for 70,000 milesOne-way business class flight to Tahiti on Air Tahiti Nui for 80,000 miles
It’s possible to redeem American Airlines miles for car rentals, hotel stays, gift cards, and a few other non-airfare options. We don’t recommend this, as you’ll usually get the most value from your miles when you use them to book flights.
Benefits and features
Admirals Club membership
If you’re wondering why anyone would pay Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® for an airline credit card, the answer is simple. The Admirals Club lounge membership this card offers normally costs $650 per year, although you can get a discount if you’re an elite member of the American AAdvantage program. You can bring either two guests or immediate family into the lounge with you at no cost.
Unfortunately, you do have to show a same-day boarding pass that proves you’re flying with American or one of its partners in order to access the lounge. For that reason, this card and membership are best if you’re someone who flies with American Airlines or its partners all the time anyway.
Free authorized users (with tons of benefits)
You can add up to 10 authorized users to the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® for free. Each authorized user will receive the same Admirals Club airport lounge access as the primary cardholder — including guest privileges. However, they won’t receive select benefits of a full-fledged membership as primary cardholder, including:
Access privileges to the Arrivals Lounge or Flagship Lounge facilitiesAirline lounges or clubs with which AA has reciprocal privileges, such as Oneworld airline loungesSpecial pricing on conference roomsAny other special offers
Remember, this same membership can cost $650 in cash. The ability to add up to 10 free authorized users could conceivably provide up to $6,500 in value.
Up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck is a trusted traveler program that allows you to speed through US airport security without removing your laptop from your bag and without taking off your shoes, belt, and light jacket. Global Entry lets you skip immigration when returning to the US from abroad.
This statement credit offsets the cost of the application fee for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85). It’s worth noting that Global Entry membership includes TSA PreCheck, so it’s the better one to apply for. It’s notably more difficult to acquire, however.
This credit replenishes every five years, which is the length of each respective membership. As long as you’ve got this card, you should never have to pay for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck from your own pocket.
Free checked bag
You and up to eight companions on the same reservation will receive your first checked bag for free. You don’t have to pay with the card; as long as your AAdvantage number is on your reservation, AA should automatically waive these fees. Here are some things to be aware of:
Your American Airlines loyalty number must be attached to your reservation seven days before your departure date.The card only provides a free checked bag for “domestic flights,” which AA defines as flights within the US, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Priority check-in/screening
When flying on American Airlines, priority screening and check-in will help you to get through security and reach your gate faster. Again, you don’t have to pay for your flight with your card — AA will know you’re a cardmember. Just be sure your loyalty number has been added to your reservation within seven days of your travel date. Up to eight companions on your reservation will receive this perk.
Priority boarding
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® gives you Group 4 boarding privileges on American Airlines flights. That’s one group higher than other Citi American Airlines cards such as the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®.
You don’t have to pay for your flight with the card to get this benefit, and up to eight companions on your reservation will receive this perk.
Earn Loyalty Points faster
You’ll receive 10,000 Loyalty Points after spending $40,000 on purchases during a qualifying status year. This card otherwise earns 1 Loyalty Point per dollar for spending, so a 10,000-point bonus is equivalent to another $10,000 in spending.
Again, it’s also possible to earn Loyalty Points from activities like making purchases through the AA Shopping Portal, flying, and spending with the airline’s partners.
Inflight discounts
You’ll receive a statement credit equal to 25% of the cost of your inflight purchases like food, drink, and Wi-Fi on domestic AA flights. You must use your eligible card to get this discount. You’ll receive your statement credit within 10 weeks of your purchase.
Fees and costs
The biggest cost you’ll face with this credit card is the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® annual fee but it’s easily worth it if you’re someone who would pay for Admirals Club membership anyway. In fact, this card gives you membership for less than you would pay without it. This card also comes with no foreign transaction fees.
Other fees this card charges are avoidable. For example, if you don’t carry a balance, you won’t be subject to this card’s high-interest rates. Other fees include a 5% balance transfer fee (minimum $5) and a 5% cash advance fee ($10).
Comparison: Citi Executive Card vs other Citi American Airlines credit cards
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card
Annual fee
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card
Rewards rate
2x miles for eligible American Airlines purchases
1x miles on all other eligible purchases
2x miles for eligible American Airlines purchases
2x miles at restaurants and gas stations
1x miles for all other eligible purchases
2x miles for eligible American Airlines purchases
2x miles at grocery stores
1x miles for all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus offer
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card
Travel benefits
American Airlines Admirals Club lounge membership (with guest privileges)
Free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions on your reservation
Priority boarding
10,000 Loyalty Points after spending $40,000 on purchases during the qualifying status year (helpful for reaching elite status)
25% savings for inflight purchases
First checked bag free for you and up to four companions on the same reservation
Preferred boarding
$125 American Airlines flight discount after spending $20,000+ on your card during cardmembership year and renewing your card
25% savings for inflight purchases
25% savings for inflight purchases
Review
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select review
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp review
Citi Executive Card vs other premium airline credit cards
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
United Club℠ Infinite Card
Annual fee
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
United Club℠ Infinite Card
Rewards rate
2x miles for eligible American Airlines purchases
1x miles on all other eligible purchases
3x miles for eligible Delta purchases
1x miles for all other eligible purchases
4x miles on eligible United purchases
2x miles on travel
2x miles on dining
1x miles for all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus offer
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
United Club℠ Infinite Card
Travel benefits
American Airlines Admirals Club lounge membership (with guest privileges)
Free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions on your reservation
Priority boarding
10,000 Loyalty Points after spending $40,000 on purchases during the qualifying status year (helpful for reaching elite status)
25% savings for inflight purchases
Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights
Annual Delta companion certificate
15,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year, up to four times
Complimentary Delta Sky Club airport lounge access when you fly Delta
Complimentary American Express Centurion Lounge access when you fly Delta and use the card to pay for your ticket
Access to complimentary upgrades and upgrade priority
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit after you apply through any authorized enrollment provider
20% off inflight purchases as a statement credit
Free first and second checked bags on United flights
Priority boarding
Premier Access travel services
25% back on inflight purchases as a statement credit
United Club airport lounge membership
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit
Review
United Club Infinite card review
Citi AAdvantage Executive card frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can you upgrade another Citi AAdvantage card to the Citi Executive?
You can upgrade a less-premium Citi AA credit card to the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® — however, you’ll have to call Citi to do it. Citi must approve you for an upgrade, and will even proactively invite its cardholders to upgrade if it deems them worthy.
Does the Citi AAdvantage Executive have travel insurance?
Citi credit cards are notorious for a lack of travel insurance. You won’t find baggage delay insurance, trip delay insurance, primary rental car insurance, etc., making them poor choices for actually booking travel.
Other cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card come with critical travel benefits like this for a much lower price tag.
Are the Citi AA Executive card benefits worth it?
If you’d otherwise pay for American Airlines Admirals Club access, this card is a no-brainer. And if you have the need to add authorized users to this card, it’s one of the best values in the credit card market. The card is also particularly handy for those trying to achieve AA elite status through spending.
What are the Citi AAdvantage Executive card authorized user benefits?
The banner feature of this card is that authorized users get Admirals Club lounge access with guest privileges. As long as you have a same-day AA flight, you can bring two guests (or immediate family) into the lounge at no charge.