Citi AAdvantage Executive Review

Who is the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card for?

The Citi AAdvantage Executive Card is a ticket to a comfortable and smooth flying experience. For frequent flyers, few cards offer the luxury provided by the AAdvantage Executive Card. This sleek card offers exclusive airport benefits usually only available for elite flyers. We recommend this card to those who are frequently in the air and would like to improve their flying experience.

The Citi AAdvantage Executive card is a pass into American Airlines elite status benefits without meeting the high requirements. For those who want elite status, this card can expedite the process to attain it. This card grants priority and speed in every stage of air travel, and is ideal for any frequent flyer hoping to speed up their trip.

As a top card from Citi and American Airlines, this card transforms the traveling experience for any flyer. 

Rewards Rate

The reward rates for this card makes it among the most attractive to frequent flyers. The card encourages spending by offering rewards in the form of miles. These miles can be used to purchase American Airlines merchandise, flight upgrades, as well as American Airlines plane tickets.

The key to this card is spending frequently upon opening an account. Once a user reaches $5,000 in purchases within three months of sign-up, he or she will earn 50,000 reward miles, a significant sum to use toward American Airlines flights.

For frequent flyers, the AAdvantage Executive card is very beneficial as it provides two reward miles for every dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, which includes products from stores like Adidas and Sephora. Shopping using this card brings you closer to your next free trip with every dollar you spend.

Even if you don’t want American Airlines products, you can still earn reward miles. The Citi AAdvantage Executive card gives users one mile for every dollar spent in all other purchases using the card. This means that everyday purchases such as groceries help you earn that next free vacation.

Benefits

The Citi AAdvantage Executive card offers many desirable benefits that make travel more comfortable. In addition to the 50,000 miles posted to your account after $5,000 of purchases, this card provides access to exclusive perks that enhance your flying experience from check-in to landing.

From the moment you step foot in the airport for an American Airlines flight, the Citi AAdvantage Executive card enables priority check-in, speeding up the frequently long lines present at the check-in stations. To further better your travels, this card allows cardholders to check their first bag for free on any American Airlines domestic flight. This perk saves users the $30 baggage check fee each trip.

After check-in, Citi AAdvantage Executive cardholders receive priority airport screening. Users can move to an expedited line to be screened, substantially accelerating the airport experience. This benefit is especially enticing for those looking to avoid long waits to go through security.

This card also provides users access to American Airlines lounges where travelers can comfortably relax until boarding. Cardholders also get priority boarding and are able to enter the airplane first. All of these benefits contribute to the best airport experience possible.

After takeoff, the AAdvantage Executive Card gives users 25% savings in all eligible inflight purchases, including food and beverages. Flyers can save significant amounts on assortments of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as snacks. Unfortunately, this discount does not apply to the purchase of wireless internet connection.

Perhaps most attractive to cardholders is membership to the Admirals Club. Cardholders can gain access to this benefit for the $450 annual fee rather than the $550-$650 price for non-cardholders. Admirals Club members enjoy complimentary snacks, freshly brewed barista style coffee at select locations, personal travel assistance, and more, all that is available after sign-up for the Citi AAdvantage Executive card. Additionally, cardholders can authorize Admirals Club membership access for traveling companions, enhancing the flying experience for everyone.

To encourage spending using the card, AAdvantage Executive cardholders can earn 10,000 elite qualifying miles after spending $40,000 in eligible purchases during a calendar year. EQMs can be used toward achieving elite status in the AAdvantage program. 

Finally, the Citi AAdvantage Executive card does not have foreign transaction fees allowing cardholders to save substantially when using their card abroad. Those who travel internationally but still want to use their card can do so at no extra charges.

Welcome Bonus

After initial sign-up, if a new cardholder spends $5000 using the card within the first three months of opening an account, you will receive 50,000 miles to spend on American Airlines products or flights. This amount of points can easily cover almost any domestic round-trip flight, saving cardholders hundreds of dollars. For reference, a trip to Hawaii costs roughly 40,000 miles. At the time of sign-up, cardholders will also immediately receive admission into the Admirals Club and be able to experience all of its benefits.

Annual Fee

These benefits come with a $450 dollar annual fee. Though this sum is high, it is well worth the price. Membership to the Admirals Club typically costs over $550 per year, meaning that access to this perk with the AAdvantage Executive card is more than advantageous. Additionally, users are allowed to give travelling companions access to the exclusive Admirals Club. Combined with free checked baggage and discounts to in-flight purchases, the Citi AAdvantage Executive card is a great bargain for its annual fee.

Conclusion

The Citi AAdvantage Executive card is an exciting product dedicated to providing flyers with the most comfortable and luxurious flying experience possible. Coupled with its savings and valuable mile rewards, this card gives all cardholders an elite flying status.