If you are interested in one of the best travel credit cards, think about signing up for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite MasterCard® because you can earn easy miles while traveling around the world.
Update 5/20/24:
- It’s been reported that this offer has an end date of 7/11/24.
- At this link, you can earn 100,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $10,000 within 3 months. Limited time offer!
You have the opportunity to earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after making $7,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, enjoy a complimentary Admirals Club® membership (a value of up to $850).
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite MasterCard®
Update 4/11/24: Citi has announced they will be increasing the Global Entry fee reimbursement to $120 for the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.
| Ink Business Preferred® Card 90K Points after $8,000 spend within first 3 months | Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card $750 Bonus after $6,000 spend within 3 months |
| Capital One Venture X Business 150K Miles after $30,000 spend within 3 months | Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Up to $750 Bonus: Earn $350 after $3,000 spend in the first 3 months and an additional $400 with $6,000 spend in the first 6 months. |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card 60K Points after $4,000 spend within 3 months. | Chase Freedom FlexSM $200 Bonus after $500 spend within 3 months |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express 80K Points after $8,000 spend within 6 months. Terms Apply. | Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card 75K Points after $4,000 spend within 3 months |
| American Express® Gold Card 60K Points after $6,000 spend within 6 months. | Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy --- on up to $20,000 in the first year! |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express $250 Welcome Offer after $3,000 eligible spend within 6 months. Terms Apply. | Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express $200 Welcome Offer after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card 60K Points after $4,000 spend within 3 months. | Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card $200 Bonus after $500 spend within 3 months |
Citi AAdvantage Executive World Mastercard
| Bonus Available | Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after making $7,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. |
| Ongoing Rewards/Benefits |
2 AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases 1 AAdvantage mile for every $1 spent on other purchases 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage mile earned from purchases First checked bag free and priority check-in, airport screening and boarding for you and up to eight travel companions. 25% discount on inflight food and beverages. |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | No |
| Annual Fee | $595 |
What Are AAdvantage Miles Worth?
Like many other airline-branded credit cards, the value of your miles depends on how you use them. On average, I value each AAdvantage mile at around $0.014.
When you fly, airline choice and destination all play a part in your miles’ value.
You can redeem your miles towards American Airlines, American Eagle and OneWorld flights. Or with one of their many partners.
AAdvantage miles can also be used towards gift cards, magazines, seat upgrades, car rentals and hotel stays.
But the best value for your miles is to use them towards flights.
Cardholders have reduced mileage award privileges.
When you use your AAdvantage miles to purchase round-trip domestic MileSAAver flights, you get to book award travel for:
- 7,500 miles on longer destinations
- 2,000 miles on shorter destinations
Destinations change monthly, and MileSAAver seats are limited. To book, call American Airlines or visit a ticket office.
Citi AAdvantage Executive World Benefits
Admirals Club is a collection of airport lounges. It consists of 50 American Airlines lounges and nearly 60 partner lounges around the world.
As a cardholder, you’ll have access to any of the Admirals Club lounges. Your immediate family or up to two traveling companions may join you.
You can add up to 10 authorized users (who get their own cards) at no extra cost. Authorized users also have access to Admirals Club without the primary cardholder present – up to 2 of their guests have access as well.
A one-day Admirals Club pass costs $59 for non-cardholders. So, accessing a lounge eight times within a year will cover the card’s annual fee.
A one-year Admirals Club membership costs $650 (base AAdvantage membership status), so the $450 card cost is a steal.
How much have you spent on checked bags on your recent trips? At $30 a pop, that can add up.
When you fly American Airlines within the United States, your first checked bag (and the first bag of up to 8 people in your party) are free.
If you’re flying with 8 other people, you’ll be saving $540 round-trip. That’s a very generous perk for an airline-branded credit card.
- Priority check-in
- Priority airport screening (where available)
- Boarding privileges
Getting through the airport and on the plane will be much less hectic.
Get up to $100 in statement credit every five years. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, so go that route.
Going for elite status? If you’re willing to charge a lot to the card, you’ll earn 10,000 AAdvantage Elite Qualifying Miles. What’s a lot? At least $40,000 in purchases within one year.
When you gain elite status, you’ll get mileage bonuses, upgrades, additional airport benefits and more.
Make sure your miles don’t expire. Earn or redeem with American Airlines or an AAdvantage partner at least once every 18 months.
Make purchases abroad without worrying about foreign transaction fees.
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Bottom Line
The Citi® AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard provides you with additional benefits such as Admirals Club airport lounge access, priority boarding on domestic American Airlines flights, no foreign transaction fee for the first year, and much more.
That said, there are a few limitations to keep in mind:
- Annual fee. This card costs $595 a year. For all that you get, it’s a fair price. But you’ll want to make sure it works for you.
- Low ongoing rewards rate. You’ll only get bonus miles for American Airlines purchases. In comparison, the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select card offers double miles on dining and gas as well.
- Complicated rewards structure. To get the most value for your points, you’ll need to do some serious strategizing.
If Admiral Club access isn’t important to you, there are better premium travels cards available:
If premium luxury perks aren’t as important to you, many other travel cards offer great rewards for a much lower annual fee.
Other Citi cards that earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles to consider:
- American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite MasterCard
- CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
If you are interested in more deals from Citi, check out our list of Citi Promotions and the full list of more credit card promotion to find the card that best fits you!
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
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