Top perks
This airline credit card has plenty of benefits that frequent flyers will love.
Limited-time offer: 100,000 bonus miles
You can earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases with this card in the first 3 months. That's one of the biggest welcome offers we've seen. Depending on what you book with them, American Airlines AAdvantage miles are typically worth $0.01 to $0.015. That means 100,000 miles could save you $1,000 to $1,500.
The spend requirement for this welcome offer is on the high side. Make sure you'll be able to meet it before you apply. You'll need to spend at least $3,334 per month. Also, keep in mind that the $595 annual fee doesn't count toward that requirement of $10,000 in three months.
SEE MORE: Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
Admirals Club® membership
A highlight of this card is that it includes an Admirals Club® membership. As a cardholder, you and either your immediate family members or up to two guests traveling with you can access Admirals Club® lounges free of charge. An annual membership would otherwise cost $850 (day passes cost $79).
Airport lounges can be a nice option to relax or get work done before a flight. If you were already planning to buy an Admirals Club® membership, it makes more sense to get this credit card, since it will cost you less. But if you aren't focused specifically on American Airlines lounges, you may want to consider other credit cards with airport lounge access.
Earn miles on purchases
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® earns 4 miles per $1 on eligible American Airlines purchases. After you spend $150,000 on purchases with your card in a calendar year, it earns 5 miles per $1 on eligible American Airlines purchases for the remainder of the year.
In addition, it earns 10 miles per $1 eligible hotels booked through aa.com/hotels and on eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars. It earns 1 mile per $1 on other purchases. The rewards rate doesn't quite measure up to some of the top credit cards, but you at least have solid bonus opportunities.
Earn Loyalty Points
You earn 1 Loyalty Point for every eligible mile earned from purchases. You can also earn a 10,000 Loyalty Points bonus after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year. After that, you can earn another 10,000 Loyalty Points bonus if you reach 90,000 Loyalty Points in the same status qualification year.
Loyalty Points are how you move up to elite statuses and get more benefits in the AAdvantage® program. Benefits include complimentary upgrades, more free checked bags, and miles bonuses.
Free checked bag
With this Citi credit card, your first checked bag is free on domestic flights with American Airlines. The first checked bag is also free for up to eight companions traveling with you on the same reservation. American Airlines charges $30 for your first checked bag on domestic flights, so this benefit can save you $60 on a round trip.
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
You can join one of these Trusted Traveler programs free of charge. This credit card includes a statement credit of up to $100 every four years for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership. I recommend applying for Global Entry, because that program includes TSA PreCheck, so you can get the benefits of both.
Over $300 in annual credits
This American Airlines credit card includes:
- Up to $120 in Lyft credits. After taking three eligible rides in a calendar month, you'll earn a $10 Lyft credit, for a total of up to $120 Lyft credits annually.
- Up to $120 back on eligible Avis® and Budget car rentals. Earn a $1 statement credit per $1 spent on eligible Avis® and Budget car rental purchases, up to a maximum of $120 per calendar year.
- Up to $120 back on eligible Grubhub purchases. Earn a statement credit of up to $10 per monthly billing statement on eligible Grubhub purchases, for a total of up to $120 every 12 billing statements.
If you use any of those services regularly, then this card can save you some money. If you don't, then you may not get much out of these benefits.
Flight benefits
Like many airline credit cards, this card offers a few benefits that could come in handy when you fly:
- Enhanced airport experience. You and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation can get complimentary priority check-in and screening (where available). You'll also receive priority boarding privileges.
- 25% statement credit on in-flight purchases. On domestic flights operated by American Airlines, you can get a 25% statement credit on food and beverage purchases. The statement credit will appear eight to 10 weeks after the transaction posts to your credit card account.