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Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Credit Card

Written by: Lenny Pappano

Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Executive

This premium card serves loyal American Airlines customers who value airport lounge access and elite travel perks. Despite its high annual fee, frequent flyers can maximize value through comprehensive benefits including Admirals Club membership and various statement credits.

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Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Credit Card Review

Key Takeaways

This premium co-branded card is designed for loyal American Airlines customers. If you fly American Airlines multiple times yearly or have an upcoming trip where you want an elevated travel experience, this card is ideal. The Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Executive offers the highest sign-up bonus among all American Airlines credit cards. It provides numerous benefits matching its substantial $595 annual fee, with Admirals Club Membership being the standout feature for the cardholder plus immediate family or two guests. Additional statement credits further enhance its value, along with all typical premium airline card benefits.

Why This Card Could Be Right For You

Though the $595 annual fee is substantial, frequent American Airlines flyers can extract significant value. Consider these benefits and statement credits with their corresponding values:

Complimentary Admirals Club Membership for the cardmember and immediate family or up to 2 guests: worth up to $1,650 annually ($850 for single membership, $1,650 for household)
Annual $120 credits for:
- Lyft ($10 credit after taking 3 eligible rides per month)
- Grubhub ($10 per month)
- Car rentals booked through Avis or Budget
$120 credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry (valid every four years)
Free first checked bags (valued between $35 and $75 each way depending on flight length)
Preferred boarding for you and up to 8 companions
Sign-up bonus of 70,000 miles after spending $7,000 in 90 days

The card offers valuable spending multipliers to increase your mileage accumulation while working toward your welcome bonus. Earn up to 10x miles on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the American Airlines travel portal, plus 4x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases. Cardmembers also receive 25% off inflight food and beverages on American flights. Additional travel protection benefits are included.

When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply

Consider these exceptions where this card might not suit your needs:

You don't fly American Airlines frequently or live where you can utilize the Admirals Club membership, which justifies most of the high annual fee
The statement credits don't align with your spending habits, limiting their value to you

What to Know About American Airlines Miles

American Airlines is a great utility point system.

Points are relatively easy to collect, though we don’t love the bank partners or transfer options as much.
We love direct flights, and American can be a good option for finding those with points.
Rewards flights start at 7500 miles each way.
You can use AA miles to travel with eligible Oneworld partner airlines worldwide.

How The Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Credit Card Fits In The American Airlines Miles Ecosystem

If you don't travel frequently enough on American Airlines to justify the Executive card's high annual fee, consider these alternatives:

Citi American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp
- No annual fee
- Modest 15,000-mile sign-up bonus
- 2x points on groceries and American Airlines purchases
- Few additional benefits beyond basic earnings
- Not generally recommended unless you specifically need a no-annual-fee option

For those seeking American Airlines miles without the premium price tag, two mid-tier options offer better value:

Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum
- 50,000-mile welcome bonus
- $99 annual fee waived for the first year
- Notable benefits include:
  - Free first checked bag for you and up to 4 companions
  - Preferred boarding
  - 25% statement credit for inflight purchases
- Enhanced earning structure with 2x points on restaurants, groceries, gas stations, and eligible American Airlines purchases
- Ideal "try before you buy" option that allows you to earn the welcome bonus and evaluate the card's ongoing value before deciding to keep it

The Barclays American Airlines AAvantage Aviator Red card presents another solid option with features comparable to the Platinum Select. Its key differentiators include a higher 60,000-mile bonus with a uniquely simple earning requirement — just make one purchase and pay the $99 annual fee within 90 days. This makes it one of the easiest premium airline bonuses to earn, though the annual fee is not waived for the first year as with the Platinum Select.

When choosing between these options, consider your travel frequency, spending patterns, and whether the enhanced benefits of the Executive card justify its significantly higher annual fee compared to these more accessible alternatives.

Card Information

Bonus Points	Minimum Spend	Point Value	Annual Value	Annual Fee	1st Year Value
70,000	$7,000	1.4 ¢	$0	$595	$483

Best Value	Differentiating Perks	Rules
AA International Flights	Admirals Club membership gives lounge access you and your immediate family or up to two guest	AA Personal 48 , No 5/24 , Citi 1/95 , Citi 2/65 , Citi 1/8 , Citi 6/6

AWARD SYSTEM

BANK

Reconsideration Phone 800.870.1073

MOST RECENT SPECIAL OFFER

100,000 Bonus Points for
$10,000 spend ended Jul 2024

Spend Categories

Airfare = »

4X points
5.6¢ Per Dollar Spent

All Other - »

1X points
1.4¢ Per Dollar Spent

Hotels = »

10X points
14¢ Per Dollar Spent

Rideshare and Transit = »

10X points
14¢ Per Dollar Spent

Apply Now »

Card Benefits

Lounge Access »
Get unlimited access to Admirals Club for you and your immediate family traveling with you, or up to 2 guests.

TSA Pre Check »
Get up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry, or an $85 fee credit for TSA PreCheck.

Preferred Boarding »
Get preferred boarding on American Airlines flights and priority airport screening .

Airline Incidentals »
25% savings on American Airlines inflight food, beverage and Wi-Fi

No Foreign Transaction Fees »
You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.

Concierge »
Call 1-855-802-1387 to get complimentary assistance making dinner reservations, buying theater tickets, getting travel guides, sending gifts/flowers, and dozens of other specific requests.

Free Checked Bag »
Your first checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 travel companions.

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Point Transfer Options

Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes - $$

Transfer To Friends Yes - $$

Travel Partner Transfers

Outside Point System American Airlines Miles

Transfers In From

IHG Rewards

5:1 47% value retained

Marriott Bonvoy

3:1 67% value retained

World of Hyatt

5:2.5 44% value retained

View All Point Transfer Options »

Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Application Rules

AA Personal 48

You'll be declined if you've received a BONUS from this card in past 48 months

No 5/24

Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule

Citi 1/95

You'll be declined if you apply for a second Citi business card within 95 days

Citi 2/65

You'll be declined if you apply for a third Citi card within 65 days

Citi 1/8

You'll be declined if you apply for a second Citi card (business and/or personal) within 8 days

Citi 6/6

You'll be declined if there are 6 or more hard inquiries on your credit report the past 6 months

Ranking of Cards Offering American Airlines Miles

American Airlines Citi Business »

Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum »

American Airlines AAvantage Aviator »

Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Executive »

Citi American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp »

Best for Series

Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:

Rank 8^th Honorable Mention

Best Cards For International Flights »

Breaking Points

June 14, 2024

Mini Points - July 2024

LIMITED TIME DEALS:

- IHG Traveler Chase card - 100,000 points after spending $2000 in 3 months - $0/annual fee.

- Southwest Plus Chase card - 50,000 points after spending $1000 in 3 months - $69/annual fee.

- Southwest Premier Chase card - 50,000 points after spending $1000 in 3 months - $99/annual fee.

- Southwest Priority Chase card - 50,000 points after spending $1000 in 3 months - $149/annual fee.

- Delta Platinum Business Amex card - 65,000 miles after spending $6000 in 6 months - $350/annual fee.

- Delta Reserve Business Amex card - 75,000 miles after spending $10,000 in 6 months - $650/annual fee.

- Delta Gold Business Amex card - 55,000 miles after spending $4000 in 6 months - Annual fee waived first year, then $150/annual fee.

- Delta Platinum Amex card - 50,000 miles after spending $3000 in 6 months - $350/annual fee.

- Delta Gold Amex card - 40,000 miles after spending $2000 in 6 months - Annual fee waived first year, then $150/annual fee.

- AA Executive Citi card - 70,000 miles after spending $7000 in 3 months - $595/annual fee.

July 25, 2023

AAdvantage Citi Card Limited 100,000 Miles Offer

AAdvantage Citi card is offering 100,000 miles after spending $10,000 in 3 months. There is a $595 annual fee...BUT...part of the sign up bonus is complimentary Admirals Club membership, $100 credit toward Global Entry or TSA and first checked bag free.

October 6, 2022

Citi AAdvantage American Airline Executive Offer

Citi has an awesome sign up offer on it's AAdvantage American Airlines Executive World Elite Mastercard. Earn 85,000 bonus miles after spending $6500 in 3 months. And a limited time Admirals Club membership comes with this card - that's up to $650 value to help off-set the $450 annual fee.