We’ve found that frequent American Airlines flyers can really benefit from a premium card like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. Right now there’s a 100,000 AAdvantage mile welcome bonus after $10,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. That’s a huge pile of miles (worth roughly $1,650 by current valuations) that can jumpstart your travel plans.
Yes, the card comes with a $595 annual fee, but when you add up the perks – especially Admirals Club lounge access, free checked bags, and global-entry credits – the value far outweighs the cost. In our experience, the premium travel perks practically pay for themselves if you use them.
The 100,000-Mile Welcome Offer
This is a limited-time offer: after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening, you’ll earn 100,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles. That level of bonus used to be rare on airline cards, so it’s a significant deal. For example, that many miles could easily cover a round-trip business-class ticket to Europe on a partner airline, or multiple coach tickets domestically.
We also want to emphasize why this card’s perks make the $595 fee more palatable. In fact, TPG calls this card a “must-have for American Airlines frequent flyers” and notes that with its 4x miles on AA purchases and complimentary Admirals Club access, “it’s well worth the card’s $595 annual fee”.
Let’s break down those perks and the total value you get in return.
Offsetting the $595 Fee with Big Benefits
At first glance, $595 is a steep fee. But consider the value packed into this card – it can easily cover that fee. The table below shows the biggest perks and their approximate value:
| Card Benefit | Estimated Value (first year) |
|---|---|
| Admirals Club lounge membership (primary + 2 guests) | ~$850 (annual membership value) |
| First checked bag free on domestic AA (you + 8 companions) | Up to $720 per round-trip |
| Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit | $120 (covers application fee) |
| Other travel credits (Avis/Budget, Lyft, Grubhub) | ~$360 ($120/year car + $120/year Lyft + $120/year Grubhub) |
| Total first-year value | >$2,050 (approx) |
Each of These Benefits Earns you Back Real Money (OR Miles):
Admirals Club Access ($850+)
As the primary cardholder, you get a complimentary Admirals Club membership, which alone can be valued around $850 per year. This means free lounge access – complimentary drinks, snacks, Wi-Fi and comfortable seating – at dozens of airports. Since you can bring 2 guests or immediate family members for free, the savings add up fast. (For comparison, an individual Admirals Club membership would otherwise cost you hundreds of dollars.)
Free Checked Bags (up to $720)
On domestic American flights, the card grants free first checked bags for you and up to 8 companions. Normally each bag costs $30–$40 each way, so for a family or group this could save up to $720 per round-trip. That’s a huge benefit if you travel with luggage or kids – it practically reimburses the fee right there. (FrequentMiler points out that this card offers “the usual collection of perks for flying AA (free checked bag, priority boarding, etc.)” which is especially great for group travelers.)
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit ($120)
Every few years you can apply for Global Entry (or TSA PreCheck) to speed through airport security. The card reimburses your application fee (up to $120 every four years), essentially making Global Entry free. Since Global Entry is currently a $100 fee (TSA PreCheck is $85) valid for five years, this credit covers the entire cost. That’s roughly $20–$30 per year in value over time, plus the priceless benefit of breezing through security lines.
Even adding just those three perks – lounge access, free bags, and GE/PreCheck – you’re over $1,600 in first-year value (well above the $595 fee). When you factor in the additional annual credits (up to $120 for Avis/Budget rentals, $120 for Lyft, and $120 for GrubHub), the card easily delivers $2,000+ in value in year one if you use everything. And that doesn’t even count the miles you earn from everyday spending.
Premium Travel Benefits
Beyond the headline perks, the Citi AAdvantage Executive card packs other travel-friendly benefits:
- Priority Boarding: Always board earlier on American Airlines flights, letting you stow carry-ons first and settle in.
- 25% In-Flight Credit: Save 25% on food and drinks purchased on board AA flights (when you charge them to this card).
- Enhanced Airport Experience: Priority check-in and screening when you fly AA, making airport hassles easier.
- No Foreign Transaction Fee: You can use the card abroad without extra fees, unlike many cards.
Each of these adds convenience and savings when you travel.
Admirals Club Lounge Membership
The Admirals Club membership is the crown jewel of this card’s perks. With this card, the primary cardholder automatically gets Admirals Club access. That means free entry into American Airlines lounges worldwide. Think complimentary soft drinks and snacks, free Wi-Fi, quiet spaces and work areas – a mini-sanctuary away from the crowded terminal. (As one blogger notes, this card is a “good choice for those who need Admirals Club® access”.) You can even bring two guests or any immediate family members in for free.
If you normally pay to enter or purchase lounge passes ($50+ each), this benefit alone can exceed $850 in value annually.
Even though authorized user cards now cost $175 each (so adding extra cardholders isn’t cheap), you often won’t need that if you can bring companions. For us, having free lounge access more than offsets the annual fee.
Global Entry & TSA PreCheck Credit
The Citi AAdvantage Executive card helps you skip airport lines. Once every few years, the card reimburses your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee up to $120. Global Entry costs $100 for five years, and TSA PreCheck is $85 for five years, so this benefit typically covers it completely. We like this because Global Entry gets you expedited screening (and includes TSA PreCheck), meaning more time relaxing before flights. Even if you only take advantage of it every five years, that’s $100–$120 back into your pocket for almost no effort.
Remember to charge the fee to your card and it will show up as a statement credit. It’s one of those small perks that add up – a free $100 (or $120) every few years is like getting a discount on your annual fee. Plus, having Global Entry can be money in your pocket by saving you time and hassle (and in many airports, even access to some lounges with the right status).
Free Checked Bags on American Airlines
If you’ve ever paid baggage fees, this perk is a game-changer. With the Citi Executive card, the first checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines flights for you and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation. That can save a ton if you travel with family or friends. For example, if each bag is $30 one-way, for 9 people that’s $270 saved per direction (up to $540 round-trip). American’s site actually notes up to $720 savings per round-trip using this benefit (probably assuming $40 per bag).
Either way, if you fly AA even a couple of times a year with baggage, you’ll quickly recover hundreds of dollars. This perk alone makes the card great for frequent fliers with family in tow.
Other Valuable Credits
- Rental Car Credit: You can get up to $120 back each year on prepaid Avis or Budget rentals (when booked directly). This means reserving a car for a family trip could yield $120 savings annually – essentially up to two years of credit in your first year if timed right.
- Grubhub Credit: Enjoy up to $120 per year ($10 per month) in statement credits on Grubhub purchases. If you order takeout regularly, this can cover your monthly habit.
- Lyft Credit: Up to $120 in Lyft credits ($10 per month after 3 rides). If you use ride-sharing often, that’s another freebie.
These bonus credits are not huge individually, but they sweeten the deal. When we added them in the “Total value” above, they pushed the first-year value to over $2,000. Realistically, not everyone will use every credit fully – but many cardmembers can easily use the car rental credit, and possibly the Grubhub or Lyft credits if you live in the right city.
Apply for the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card
We’ve laid out the math and the perks: the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® offers a massive 100,000-mile bonus, and its travel benefits easily outweigh the $595 fee. With Admirals Club membership (valued ~$850), free bags for you and your group, and a Global Entry credit, the card puts money back in your pocket. For American Airlines loyalists or status-chasers, this card can be one of the most valuable in your wallet.
If this sounds like your ideal travel companion, we encourage you to apply for the Citi AAdvantage Executive card while the offer is live. Earning 100,000 bonus miles can kickstart your next award trip, and you’ll be set up to enjoy all the premium perks (lounges, free bags, etc.) on future AA flights. In short, apply today and start turning that $595 fee into more miles and premium experiences on your travels!
Apply Now for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® and unlock 100,000 bonus miles and these valuable benefits. Your next American Airlines trip just got a whole lot better.
