Club Membership: 80,000 Miles and Admirals

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The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
It may appear costly, but it will more than pay for itself with Admirals Club airport lounge access. You will receive a special welcome bonus. American Airlines flyers will find this card to be very affordable. Citi is an advertising partner. 

Review: Is Citi Executive Card your best choice of credit card?

Do you often fly with American Airlines? Are you tired of waiting in long lines at airports? 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. If you are not an elite member of the airline this membership will cost you $650. This credit card is a 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.

The card also offers 80,000 bonus mile after you spend $5,500 within your first 3 months. Based on the above, the bonus is worth approximately $1,120 in travel. Insider’s valuationsIt can be used in many ways (including international round trips and business-class seats). 

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.

The card also has the highest chance of earning American Airlines elite status by spending, thanks to the 10,000-Loyalty Point Bonus that is available after you spend $40,000 during the qualifying year.

There are alternatives if you’re not an American Airlines frequent flyer or don’t value Admirals Club lounge membership access. American Airlines credit cardWith lower annual fees. For example, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® comes with an annual fee of $99, waived for first 12 months 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®.

Here, we’re focusing on the perks and rewards that each card offers. The cards are not worth the expense if you have to pay late or interest. You should pay your entire credit card balance each month. Make timely payments and only pay what you can afford.

How to earn Rewards from the Citi Executive Cards

The Citi AAdvantage Executive doesn’t earn miles, but it is a great way to get them. You’ll earn 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases (1x on all other eligible purchases). 

The bonus categories are sparse and not very impressive. Cards with significantly lower annual fees have the ability to rack up rewards just as quickly — and for more common purchases. Here are some examples:

• The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® earns 2x miles on telecommunications merchant, cable/satellite provider, rental car agency, and gas station purchases
• The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® earns 2 miles per dollar at restaurants and gas stations
• The American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Mastercard
  Get 2 miles for every dollar spent at grocery stores

Citi AAdvantage Executive has a unique earning skill that you won’t find with other cards. After spending $40,000 during each qualifying year, you’ll receive 10,000 loyalty points.

American Airlines’ new loyalty points system allows you to achieve elite status. Points can be earned by flying, shopping through the AA portal and spending on American Airlines credit cards. These are the steps you need to take to reach status:

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. Spend $40,000 to get the card and you’ll earn at least 50,000 loyalty points.

How to use American Airlines miles

The American AAdvantage rewards program is a great way to earn miles that you can use for travel around the globe. Once you have earned enough miles to redeem them with American Airlines or other Oneworld alliance partners such as British Airways, Japan Airlines and Qatar, you will be able to use them for flights around the world.

American Airlines uses dynamic pricing to award flights. You won’t know how much your chosen flight will cost unless it is searched for by date and route. Below are some examples of what can be found:

• American Airlines offers one-way domestic flights within the US in economy Class for just 6,000 miles
• Round-trip economy class flight to Europe from American Airlines for only 60,000 miles
• Qatar Airways – One-way Business Class Flight to Doha, Qatar Airways for 70,000 Miles
• For 80,000 miles, one-way business class airfare to Tahiti with Air Tahiti Nui

Features and benefits

Membership to the Admirals Club

You might be wondering why someone would pay $450 to get an item. airline credit cardIt is very simple. The Admirals Club loungeThis card’s membership costs $650 per annum. However, elite members of American AAdvantage can receive a discount. Two guests or your immediate family members are allowed to join you in the lounge at no additional cost.

To board American Airlines or any of its partners, you will need to present a same-day boarding card. The lounge is available for you to use. This card and membership are ideal if you fly with American Airlines or one of its partners regularly.

You can be an authorized user for free and enjoy tons of benefits

Citi AAdvantage Executive allows you to add up to 10 authorized users. Each authorized user will receive the same Admirals Club airport lounge access as the primary cardholder — including guest privileges. But they will not be eligible for the exclusive benefits of a full-fledged cardholder membership.

• You have access privileges to the Flagship Lounge and Arrivals Lounge
• Clubs and lounges that AA has reciprocal privileges with, such as Oneworld airline lounges
• Special pricing for conference room bookings
• Other special offers

This same membership could cost as much as $650 in cash. It is possible to get as many as 10 authorized users for $6,500. 

Get up to $100 credit on your Global Entry or TSA precheck statement

TSA PreCheck, a trusted traveler program, allows you to quickly pass through US airport security without having to take your laptop out of your bag or remove your shoes, belt and jacket. Global Entry allows you to skip the immigration process when you return to the US after traveling abroad.

This statement credit is used to offset the global entry application fee of $100 or TSA PreCheck (85). Global Entry membership is not required. IncludesTSA PreCheck is the best option. Although it is more difficult to get, it is possible.

The credit is replenished every five years. This corresponds to the duration of each membership. You don’t need to pay anything as long as this card is active. Global Entry or TSA PrecheckFrom your own pocket.

No cost checked bag

Your first will be given to you and up to eight of your companions who are on the same reservation. checked bag for free. These fees can be waived if you don’t pay with your card. These are some important points to remember:

• The reservation must include your American Airlines loyalty number seven days prior to departure.
• The card does not provide a free checked bag on “domestic” flights, which AA defines to be flights within the US, Canada and Mexico.

Priority screening/check-in

Priority screening and check-in on American Airlines will allow you to pass security faster and get to your gate quicker. Again, you don’t have to pay for your flight with your card — AA will know you’re a cardmember. Make sure you have added your loyalty number to your reservation within seven business days of your travel date. This perk will be available for up to eight companions.

Priority boarding

Citi AAdvantage Executive offers Group 4 benefits. boarding privilegesAmerican Airlines flights. This group is one higher than any Citi American Airlines cards, such as the Citi AAdvantage platinum Select.

To get this benefit, you don’t need the card to pay for your flight. Up to eight of your companions can also be eligible.

Loyalty points faster

If you spend $40,000 in qualifying purchases, you will receive 10,000 Loyalty points. Otherwise, this card earns 1 loyalty point per dollar of spending. A 10,000-point bonus equals another $10,000.

You can also earn loyalty points by doing things like shopping through the AA Shopping Portal, flying and spending with airline partners.

Inflight discounts

You will receive a 25% statement credit. Purchases in FlightEnjoy food, drinks, and Wi-Fi when you fly domestically with AA. To receive this discount, you must use your eligible credit card. Within 10 weeks of purchase, you will receive your statement credit.

Prices and fees

This credit card will cost you $450 annually. However, it is well worth it if Admirals Club membership is something you are willing to pay. You actually pay less for membership with this card than you would without it. You also get this card with There are no foreign transaction fees.

The card does not charge any additional fees. This card doesn’t charge high interest rates if you don’t have a balance. Additional fees include a minimum $5 balance transfer fee and a $10 cash advance fee.

Comparison: Citi Executive Card vs. other Citi American Airlines credit card cards

Citi Executive Card vs. other premium airline credit card

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Citi AAdvantage Executive Card