The Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is the right one for you if you fly American Airlines often, want to move up in the AAdvantage program, and want to join the Admirals Club.
The fee for the card is less than it costs to join the Admirals Club for a year. You can also get a lot of value from the bonus miles if you know how to spend them.
Learn more about Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard’s features, perks, fees, and application process in this article.
- What Is the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
- What Is the Rewards System of Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
- What Are the Perks of Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
- What Are the Fees of Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
- Who Can Apply for Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
- What Are the Cons of Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
What Is the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
The Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is the best credit card offered by a partner of American Airlines. The high annual fee is made up for by a great set of benefits for people who fly American Airlines.
For example, the best thing about the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is that the primary cardholder can join the Admirals Club. With a same-day boarding pass on American Airlines, the member and up to two guests (or the spouse and all children under 18) can use the American Airlines Admirals Club lounges.
Members of American Airlines can use their membership at Oneworld clubs and other clubs worldwide.
What Are the Features of Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
On American Airlines flights within the US, the first checked bag is free for the cardholder. These passengers also check-in and board first and get a 25% discount on food and drinks bought on the plane if they use their card.
Up to 10 approved cardholders can share advantages at no extra cost. The AUC has fewer benefits. Authorized American Airlines passengers can only visit Admirals Clubs, not Oneworld or related clubs.
What Is the Rewards System of Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
Most of the time, AAdvantage miles are used to fly on American Airlines. Still, they can also be used on any Oneworld airline and with other partners, such as Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Qantas, and Japan Airlines.
Unlike many other airlines, American Airlines publishes its award chart, which you can use to figure out how many miles you might need for a particular trip. For instance, a MileSAAver award within the 48 states that touch each other and Canada costs 12,500 miles.
Web Specials can add value to AAdvantage miles. Web Specials are discounted economy fares between specific cities and dates. American Airlines recently posted deals for 5,000 miles to Australia and New Zealand, 10,000 miles to Hawaii, and 5,000 miles across the US.
When you use web specials, your AAdvantage miles can go much further than those used during busy times or for regular saver awards. But remember that special web routes are often complicated and require long stops.
Is There a Sign-up Bonus for Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
If you spend $5,500 on this card in the first three months, you'll get an 80,000-mile bonus. That's worth about $800 in American Airlines flights, according to Bankrate's latest airline mile valuations, which give AAdvantage miles an average value of 1 cent each.
Even though that's not the best bonus you can get on an airline credit card, especially at this price point, it's a nice upgrade from the card's previous offer of 50,000 miles after spending the same amount.
Cardholders can get an extra 10,000 loyalty points once a year if they spend $40,000 or more. This offer boosts your elite status and shows that the card is for big spenders.
What Are the Perks of Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
American Airlines is a big airline with a huge global footprint and a huge network of airline partners. With one of the most popular airlines, you can go almost anywhere with your AAdvantage miles. But to get there, you'll have to deal with American Airlines strict rules about how to route flights.
For example, the loyalty program requires you to book the most direct route possible and forbids you from going through a third travel zone when going from one zone to the next. Also, like many airline loyalty programs, rewards tickets don't allow stopovers.
With MileSAVER awards, you can get a lot more for your miles. If you are flexible about when you want to travel, you can book flights between any two of the 48 states for as little as 7,500 miles. There are ways to get the most out of your AAdvantage miles, so ensure you know how to use your card's perks to their fullest.
What Is the Admiral Lounge Perk of the Card?
One of the best reasons to get this card is that it gives you free access to the Admirals Club lounges of American Airlines. When you fly American Airlines or any other Oneworld carrier, you, your immediate family, and up to two guests can use these lounges as much as you want.
American Airlines says that an Admirals Club membership is worth up to $650, so just being able to use the lounges is worth the annual fee.
The only bad thing is that there are only about 50 Admirals Club lounges in the whole world. If you travel a lot, you should make sure that the airports you go to the most have an Admirals Club lounge so you can make the most of this perk.
What Are the Fees of Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
Before you apply for the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, you should compare its perks and bonuses to its interest rate and annual fee. By reading the information below, you can learn more about the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard's rates and fees.
- Annual Fee - $450
- Standard APR for Purchases - 18.99% to 27.99%
- Standard APR for Balance Transfers - 18.99% to 27.99%
- Standard APR for Cash Advance - 28.99%
- Foreign Purchase Fee - None
- Penalty Fee - 29.99%
- Cash Advance Fee - either $10 or 5% of the cash advance amount (whichever is greater)
- Balance Transfer Fee - either $5 or 5% of the transfer amount (whichever is greater)
Unlike many elite cards, the AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard must offer more travel credits to fully cover its annual fee. The airline perks may only be worth it if you travel with American Airlines a lot. If you want an elite card for the perks, there are much better cards out there.
What Are the Other Pros of Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
Up to eight people on the same reservation can check in first, go through security first, and board first. No matter your service, you can check in at a business-class or first-class desk.
There is also a discount of 25% off eligible in-flight purchases, which means you get 25% off food and drinks when you use the card to pay for them (not including inflight Wi-Fi).
Get a credit of up to $100 when you use your card to pay the $100 Global Entry fee or the $85 TSA PreCheck fee. The credit will be given to you every five years. When you sign up for Global Entry, you also get TSA PreCheck, so there's no real reason to just sign up for PreCheck.
Who Can Apply for Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
If you have outstanding or excellent credit, obtaining an AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard will be easy. If an applicant's credit score is 700 or better, they have a decent chance of being approved for an AAdvantage credit card.
The bank will look into the capacity of the applicant to pay and maintain the card by having sufficient income. Thus, Citi will require you to provide documents supporting your income. It is also best if you don’t have a bad credit history or bankruptcy record.
Moreover, you must provide proof of your age, citizenship, and residence.
How Can You Apply for Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
Applying for an AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is easy because you can do it on Citi’s official website. You must fill in the required information from the bank.
- Name
- Home Address
- Social Security Number
- Birthday
- Citizenship
- Phone Number
- Total Annual Income
- Monthly Mortgage / Rent Payment
- AAdvantage Number
You can expect a call or email from the bank regarding the application result. Once approved, you may pick up the card from the branch or deliver it to your house.
What Are the Cons of Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
For $450 a year, you can get a lot for your money. But some people will need more money to afford that high price. There are travel credit cards with low or no annual fees, but you won't get some of the luxuries that come with premium cards like the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.
In comparison to competitors, the Bank of America®Premium Rewards credit card has a much lower annual fee. It offers up to $200 in statement credits, including up to $100 toward a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee and up to $100 a year for airline incidentals like seat upgrades, checked baggage fees, and day passes to airport lounges.
What Is Citi’s Contact Information?
Visit any Citi branch or the company's headquarters in New York if you want additional information about the AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard or any of Citi's other credit cards.
The official website of the bank, as well as its mobile app, both provide access to fundamental information regarding credit cards. You may also call them at 1-888-248-4226.
Conclusion
Suppose you frequently fly American Airlines, have aspirations of rising the ranks of the AAdvantage program, and desire access to the Admirals Club. In that case, the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is the card for you.
Disclaimer: There are risks when applying for and using Citi Bank's products. Consult AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard’s Terms and Conditions page before agreeing to anything.
