The Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard is the high-end credit card linked to American’s AAdvantage program. High end as in a $450 annual fee.
That’s a high price to pay for a credit card, to be sure. But this one, like similar offerings from Delta and United, comes bundled with a host of travel perks:
- Admirals Club membership
- First checked bag free for the primary cardholder and up to 8 travel companions
- Priority check-in, screening, and boarding
- No foreign transaction fees
- $100 statement credit to offset the fee for Global Entry or PreCheck
- 25% discount on inflight purchases
- 10,000 bonus elite-qualifying miles after spending $40,000
- Reduced mileage awards
The normal sign-up bonus for the card is 50,000 miles after spending $5,000 in three months. But “for a limited time” (no published end date), the bonus has been increased to 60,000 miles.
Deal or No Deal
The cost of an Admirals Club membership alone is as much as $500. And assuming an AAdvantage mile is worth around 1.2 cents when redeemed for free flights, the bonus is worth an extra $720. So on paper, it’s easy to justify the $450 annual fee.
Of course, the value proposition is only a positive one if the card’s perks will be used by the cardholder. Infrequent flyers are unlikely to get their money’s worth from such a pricey card.
Bottom line: If you travel frequently on American, this would be a good card to have in your wallet. And with the increased bonus, this would be a good time to get it.
Reader Reality Check
What’s in your wallet?
More from SmarterTravel:
- 10 Places NOT to Go this Summer
- Is Airbnb Killing the Hotel Business?
- Get 1,000 United Miles, Quickly
After 20 years working in the travel industry, and 15 years writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.
We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Related
Top Fares From
Today's Top Travel Deals
Brought to you by ShermansTravel
Greece: 9-Night Vacation, Incl. Meteora &...
Exoticca
vacation $2099+Amsterdam to Copenhagen: Luxe, 18-Night Northern...
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
cruise $12399+Ohio: Daily Car Rentals from Cincinnati
85OFF.com
Car Rental $19+