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Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® Overview

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

The definitive guide to the premium credit card for American Airlines loyalists.

Author: Shannon Lopez
|
Reviewed by: Taevann Calloway
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Benefits Accurate as of: Sep 25, 2025

PREMIUM TRAVEL CARD

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive Card

Citi AAdvantage Executive Card
Apply now

at the issuer's secure site. Terms & restrictions apply.

Why we love this card: This is the only AAdvantage® credit card that provides a full Admirals Club® membership, making it a must-have for frequent American Airlines flyers who value lounge access.

Estimated First-Year Value: $1,835+, plus miles on your spend

- Includes a 70,000-mile sign-up bonus (worth ~$980) and an Admirals Club Membership (worth $850).

Annual Fee

$595

 

Sign-Up Bonus

70,000 miles

 

Est. Annual Value

$850+

Includes full Admirals Club® Membership

Rewards Rates
10x Miles 4x Miles 1x Mile
On eligible car and hotel bookings through aa.com. On eligible American Airlines purchases. On all other purchases.

Why you may want the AAdvantage Executive Card

  • Admirals Club® Membership: Get unlimited access to American Airlines Admirals Club® lounges for yourself and up to two guests. Authorized users also get lounge access.
  • First checked bag free: You and up to 8 companions traveling on the same domestic itinerary get a free checked bag.
  • Enhanced airport experience: Enjoy priority check-in, priority airport screening, and priority boarding when flying American Airlines.
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit: Receive up to a $100 statement credit for the application fee every 4 years.
  • Earn Loyalty Points: Every AAdvantage® mile you earn with the card also counts as one Loyalty Point toward AAdvantage® status.

Redeeming AAdvantage® Miles

American Airlines AAdvantage® miles are valuable for booking flights on American and its oneworld® partners:

  • Book award flights: Use miles to book flights on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Qatar Airways, and more.
  • Upgrade your seat: Use a combination of miles and cash to upgrade to a higher cabin on American Airlines flights.
  • Other redemptions: Redeem miles for car rentals, hotel stays, and vacation packages.

Airport Lounge Access

Admirals Club® Membership

The signature benefit of this card is a full Admirals Club® membership, which provides access to nearly 50 lounge locations worldwide. This membership is for the primary cardholder, but you can also bring in two guests traveling with you. A huge perk is that authorized users on your account also receive their own full membership benefits.

AAdvantage Executive Card Alternatives

For the ultimate in luxury perks...

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a more comprehensive set of premium benefits, including access to the exclusive Centurion Lounges, automatic elite status with Marriott and Hilton, and over $3,000 in annual statement credits.

  • Why you might prefer it: You fly various airlines and want the broadest lounge access and a long list of luxury travel and lifestyle credits.
  • Why you might stick with the AAdvantage Card: You are an American loyalist, and the American-specific perks like free checked bags and Admirals Club Membership are more valuable to you.

For more flexible rewards...

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a slightly higher annual fee but its points are more flexible. The card's $300 travel credit is easier to use, and it earns strong rewards on a broader range of travel and all dining.

  • Why you might prefer it: You want a single card for all your travel and dining spend and value the flexibility to transfer points to many different partners, including American.
  • Why you might stick with the AAdvantage Card: The Admirals Club membership is the most important benefit to you, making the card's annual fee a great deal for that perk alone.

Want to find the perfect travel credit card, just for you? Visit our Credit Card Finder to get your best match.

Final Thoughts

For individuals who frequently fly with American Airlines, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is practically a necessity. The value of the Admirals Club® membership alone can easily justify the annual fee, especially if you add authorized users.

Bottom Line: If you value a comfortable airport experience and want to elevate your travel on American Airlines, this card's benefits are hard to match.

Apply for the AAdvantage Executive Card

at the issuer's secure site. Terms & restrictions apply.

PREMIUM TRAVEL CARD

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive Card

Apply now
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Now that you have a good handle on goals and the available savings products out there, you’re ready for Savings 102 where it’s time to choose the right product to meet your specific savings goal.