Big changes are coming to the Citi AAdvantage Executive card, including a 100,000-mile bonus and new statement credits — but it's not all good news
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American Airlines
- The
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® - Product Name Only is about to get a big makeover. - Effective July 23, 2023, it will offer a welcome bonus that's double the standard offer for a limited time, and introduce new statement credits and benefits.
- The downside is that the annual fee will increase, and you'll have to pay to add authorized users.
- Read Insider's guide to the best travel rewards credit cards.
The
For a
But that will soon change. The card is getting a big refresh on July 23, 2023, adding new benefits (including travel insurance!), statement credits, and improved earning rates — and a massive limited-time welcome bonus offer. The downside? It'll cost more to carry the card, and authorized users will no longer be free.
Here's a breakdown of the changes to the
We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard Changes
There are a ton of changes to the card (and to Admirals Clubs) to unpack. Here's what to expect when the card is refreshed on July 23.
Earn 100,000 American Airlines miles for a limited time
Currently, the
For a limited time from July 23 to September 6, 2023, new cardholders can earn 100,000 American Airlines miles after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. That's no small minimum spending requirement, but considering the bonus miles are worth about $1,400 in travel, it could be worth shifting all of your spending to the card to unlock the bonus.
New annual fee and authorized user fees
Now the not-so-great news: Effective July 23, the card's annual fee will increase from
That's actually not that shocking considering many premium credit cards, including
Improved earning rates
Previously, the card had lackluster earning rates, offering just 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
Starting July 23, all cardholders will earn:
- 10x miles on eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars and eligible hotels booked through aa.com/hotels
- 4x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases (and, after spending $150,000 in purchases in a calendar year, cardmembers can earn 5x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases for the remainder of the calendar year)
- 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Statement credits for car rentals, GrubHub, and Lyft
Starting July 23, new and existing cardholders can earn new statement credits for purchases at participating partners:
- Up to $120 back on eligible Avis or Budget car rentals every calendar year
- Up to $120 back on eligible GrubHub purchases (up to a $10 statement credit each monthly billing statement)
- Up to $120 in Lyft credits ($10 Lyft credit each month after taking three eligible rides)
In total, these credits represent a potential return worth $360 each year, which more than offsets the annual fee increase. This coupon-book approach isn't new — we've seen it on other travel credit cards, especially the
Loyalty Point bonuses
If you're trying to earn elite status with American Airlines, the
Starting July 23, the card will award bonus Loyalty Points as follows:
- 10,000 Loyalty Point Bonus after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year
- 10,000 Loyalty Point Bonus after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year
Travel insurance
In 2019, Citi removed travel insurance from its credit cards, which made it hard to recommend the
With the refresh, Citi's brought back some of the most important credit card travel insurance for flyers, including:
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Trip delay insurance
- Lost baggage protection
- Worldwide car rental insurance coverage
The exact terms of coverage remain to be seen; for instance, it's not yet clear if the card will come with primary rental car insurance or secondary insurance. But this, along with an improved earning rate on American Airlines purchases, is a huge upgrade for cardholders.
What's staying the same with the Citi Executive card?
Apart from the increased annual fees for primary and authorized users, Citi isn't making any other negative changes to the
- Free first checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions on the same domestic American Airlines reservation
- Priority boarding, check-in, and screening on American Airlines flights
- 25% savings on eligible American Airlines inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card (as a statement credit)
- Up to $100 statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four years
- A dedicated concierge
- Mastercard Priceless Experiences through Priceless.com/aa
Should you apply now or wait?
Unless you had short-term plans to apply for the
And if you can use the new benefits, particularly the statement credits for eligible car rentals, GrubHub, and Lyft, you'll come out ahead, even with a heftier annual fee. Be sure to read our current Citi AAdvantage Executive Card review for a closer look at what the card offers right now, compared to what it will offer after July 23.