Citi Raises AAdvantage Card Fee to $695, Adds New Perks

Citi’s premium American Airlines card is getting a $100 price hike — and a benefits package the bank says can deliver substantially more value.

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard, which currently carries a $595 annual fee, will cost $695 for new cardholders beginning August 23.

Citi says the refreshed card can provide up to $2,300 in value through a collection of new and enhanced benefits. But whether those benefits outweigh the higher fee will depend on how frequently each cardholder uses them.

“The refreshed Citi / AAdvantage Executive Mastercard raises the bar for premium travel, offering exclusive benefits and experiences that help customers reach status faster and get more out of the AAdvantage program,” Scott Long, Senior Vice President of AAdvantage at American Airlines, said in the release.

The higher fee puts the Citi / AAdvantage Executive Mastercard in a similar price range as other premium cards, including the U.S. Consumer Platinum Card from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Those cards charge higher annual fees but also advertise more potential value. The Platinum Card costs $895 per year, and American Express says cardholders can unlock more than $3,500 in annual value.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve carries a $795 annual fee and offers $3,000 in annual travel and lifestyle value, according to Chase.

As a product backed by one of the largest airlines in the U.S., the refreshed Citi / AAdvantage Executive Mastercard offers several benefits geared toward frequent travelers.

Cardholders will be eligible to receive up to $500 in statement credits each calendar year on eligible American Airlines Vacations travel packages or experiences.

The card remains the only credit card that includes an Admirals Club membership, according to Citi. The membership provides unlimited lounge visits for the primary cardholder and is valued at up to $1,400 annually.

American Airlines has been busy updating its lounge network, including bringing a new grab-and-go Provisions by Admirals Club space to New York City’s JFK airport. The airline is also planning its largest Admirals Club yet, a 37,000-square-foot lounge at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

Although Admirals Club access is not new to the card, cardholders will now receive up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year for eligible Admirals Club and inflight purchases made with the card.

The refreshed card also offers enhanced ground transportation benefits. Cardholders currently can receive up to $120 in Lyft credits annually, but the maximum will rise 50% to $180.

“Our focus is on elevating the experience for today’s premium traveler throughout their entire journey, and the enhancements to the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive Mastercard® reflect that.” — John LaCosta, Citi

Cardholders earn a $15 Lyft credit after taking three eligible rides in a calendar month.

The card will also offer 12X AAdvantage miles, up from 10X, on eligible AAdvantage Hotels and AAdvantage Cars bookings.

Eligible primary cardholders can enroll in the Omni Select Guest loyalty program and receive automatic Champion Status, the program’s second-highest tier.

After enrolling, they can also earn one free night each calendar year by completing a qualifying stay of at least two consecutive nights booked directly through Omni Hotels and Resorts.

John LaCosta, Head of Partnership Cards and Development for U.S. Consumer Cards at Citi, said the company is focused on providing a better experience for premium travelers throughout their journeys.

The card’s new benefits may justify the higher annual fee for frequent travelers who can make full use of the credits and perks.

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive Mastercard will retain several of its existing benefits, including 4X AAdvantage miles on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1X miles on other purchases.

Cardholders who spend $150,000 in a calendar year can earn 5X miles on eligible American Airlines purchases for the remainder of that year.

The card will also continue to provide up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year for eligible prepaid Avis and Budget rentals booked directly through the companies.

Other retained perks include a free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries for the primary cardholder and up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation.

Cardholders will also continue to receive priority check-in, airport screening where available, and priority boarding when flying American Airlines.