Citi / AAdvantage Executive Mastercard Refresh: 100K Bonus, Higher Fee and New Benefits
Citi and American Airlines are continuing their over 35-year commitment to best-in-class products with the refresh of the Citi /AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, launching on July 23, 2023. Cardmembers will have opportunities to earn more AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points in addition to an enhanced lounge experience at American’s domestic Admirals Club lounges. The annual fee will increase as we previously reported, but there’s also a big welcome bonus coming. American Airlines has also revealed improvement to its Admiral Lounges, along with a membership fee increase.
Annual Fee
Starting on July 23, 2023, the updated Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard will have an annual fee of $595 for primary users, an additional $175 annual fee for the first three authorized users, and $175 for each authorized user thereafter. With the new annual fee, cardmembers will continue to receive an annual Admiral’s Club membership (soon to be valued up to $850), which provides lounge access for primary users, authorized users, and immediate family (or up to two guests).
Signup Bonus
For a limited time, from July 23, 2023 to September, 6, 2023, customers who apply and are approved for the Citi/AAdvantage Executive Card, can earn 100K AAdvantage Miles after spending $10,000 within the first three months of account opening.
New and Improved Benefits
New and existing cardmembers will now also have access to:
- Faster earn on miles
- 4X AAdvantage Miles® on eligible American Airlines purchases. After spending $150,000 in purchases in a calendar year, cardmembers can earn even more with a total of 5X AAdvantage Miles® on eligible American Airlines purchases for the remainder of the calendar year
- 10X AAdvantage Miles® on eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars and eligible hotels booked through aa.com/hotels
- And a continued 1X AAdvantage Miles® on all other eligible purchases
- Loyalty Point Bonuses to make reaching AAdvantage® status easier
- A 10,000 Loyalty Point Bonus after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year
- A 10,000 Loyalty Point Bonus after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year
- Opportunities to earn credits:
- Up to $120 back on eligible Avis or Budget car rentals every calendar year
- Up to $120 back on eligible GrubHub purchases (up to $10 statement credit each monthly billing statement)
- Up to $120 in Lyft credits ($10 Lyft credit each month after taking 3 eligible rides)
- Travel Insurance
- Trip Cancellation & Interruption Protection
- Trip Delay Protection
- Lost Baggage Protection
- Worldwide Car Rental Insurance Coverage
Old Benefits Still Available
In addition to new benefits, cardmembers will continue to have access to:
- Admirals Club access for Primary and Authorized users with their immediate family or up to 2 guests
- Up to $100 credit on a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee (now every four years)
- First checked bag free for the primary cardmember and up to eight companions on the same reservation on American Airlines domestic flights
- 25% savings on eligible American Airlines in-flight food and beverage purchases when you use your card
- Enhanced Airport Experience offering priority boarding, priority check-in and priority screening on American Airlines flights for the primary cardmember and up to eight companions on the same reservation
- A dedicated concierge
- And Mastercard Priceless Experiences at Priceless.com/aa.
Existing Cardholders
It’s not clear exactly what will happen with existing cardholders. I was told that Citi will be notifying existing Citi / AAdvantage Executive cardmembers in the coming weeks if their annual membership fee is increasing, and, if so, when the change will take effect.
New customers who apply for the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard on or after July 23, 2023, will be charged the new annual membership fee of $595. So if you want the lower annual fees you should apply now. However, you would miss out on the increased welcome offer.
Existing Citi / AAdvantage Executive cardmembers will be notified of the annual membership fee and authorized user fee changes at least 45 days before their accounts are charged the new fee.
Admirals Club Improvements and Free Increase
American is elevating the lounge experience with even more ways for customers to relax and feel their best at Admirals Club lounges across the United States. In the coming months, customers can look forward to enhanced food offerings, expanded complimentary drink menus and newly redesigned Admirals Club locations.
Beginning in select cites on July 23, customers will find a heartier variety of complimentary premium food with new hot and cold breakfast and all-day menus featuring regionally inspired selections such as Cuban pork sliders in Miami and mini crab cakes in Washington, D.C. Select lounges will also offer convenient grab-and-go snacks for those short on time. The enhanced food offerings are expected to roll out at all domestic Admirals Club lounges by early 2024.
Starting this month, all domestic lounges will feature complimentary sparkling wine, craft beer that celebrates local favorites, and spirits like scotch and tequila. Customers can also enjoy complimentary cocktails like mimosas, Bloody Marys and signature cocktails created with local flavors.
In the coming months, American will open new, redesigned lounges at Denver International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. As part of its continued investment in the customer experience, American is updating the rates for Admirals Club annual memberships and One Day Passes. Beginning July 23, new Admirals Club annual memberships will be $850 or 85,000 miles, and a One Day Pass will be $79 or 7,900 miles.
1 thought on “Citi / AAdvantage Executive Mastercard Refresh: 100K Bonus, Higher Fee and New Benefits”
Well, the only reason I kept the card after Amex opened up a lounge in Charlotte was for other family members which I could add as authorized users for free. This would be a prohibitive increase for me, new fee plus $175 for authorized users, considering I have access to the Centurion lounges and Priority Pass lounges. For $550 a year I could get the Delta Reserve Credit card which gives me a companion pass for a first class flight. Not much more for the Amex platinum which gets you into the Centurion lounges with a lot of other benefits. This has to be the worst airline credit card with these changes.