Citi® / Aadvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see Fees & Fees) is a valuable travel card that is ideal for the frequently used American Airlines flyers in the United States.
It has a high annual fee of $595, but there are several easy ways to get good value from the card and Aadvantage plans. Currently, the card is offering its highest welcome reward ever.
Here are six reasons why Citi/Aadvantage executes the world’s elite Mastercard, which may be a wise addition to your wallet.
Welcome offer
The first reason is direct and relatively obvious: the precious welcome bonus.
Citi/Aadvantage Execution World Elite MasterCard currently offers 100,000 miles after you spend $10,000 in the first three months after your account is opened. According to TPG’s May 2025 valuation, the bonus is worth $1,650.
This is the highest offer we have seen on this card and the third time we have received in the last six years.
Related: Best Uses for American Airlines Aadvantage Miles
Admiral Club Membership
One of the best benefits of this card is the Admiral Club membership it includes.
With Citi/Aadvantage, you can enter the Admiral Club whenever you offer the same-day boarding pass for an American Airlines flight or OneWorld partner flight.
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This also includes two guests or your immediate family (defined as spouse or family partner and dependent children under 18 years of age).
Principal cardholders can also visit the Alaska Air Lounge when departing or arriving on flights operated by Alaska or American Airlines.
It is also worth pointing out that the annual fee on this card is actually smaller than the age of buying a lounge membership fully – a single Admiral Club member typically costs between $750 and $850, depending on the status of you with the Americans, and family membership costs up to $1,650.
Authorized users visit Admiral Club
Like the main cardholder, Citi/Aadvantage executive world elite Mastercard gains access to the American Airlines Admiral Club Lounge. This can provide important value for friends or family traveling several times a year.
The total cost for up to three authorized users is $175, and the total cost for each authorized user thereafter is $175.
Of course, you can use two guests or immediate family members as the primary cardholders, but what if your partner, parents or close friends travel alone? Add them as authorized users and bring them to the Admiral Club even if they don’t travel with you.
Related: American Airlines Admiral Club Visit: How to Enter the Airport Lounge
Declare credits
Another great benefit of Citi/Aadvantage to execute the World Elite Mastercard is its three valuable statement credits:
- AVI or budget car rentals for each calendar year up to $120
- Each calendar year has a qualified GrubHub purchase up to $120
- Lyft credits up to $120 per calendar year ($10 per month)
This means that if you can take advantage of all these privileges, you can get a maximum return of $360 per year.
Related: Forgotable Declaration Credit List: Privileges and Benefits Not Neglected
Free check bag
There are many ways to avoid the fees for checked luggage while traveling, and a common brand of airline credit card is a great way to achieve this. With Citi/Aadvantage, you and up to eight travel companions on the same booking can check a bag for free on all domestic flights operated in the United States.
This saves at least $80 per round trip per passenger in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, so the savings can add up.
This revitalization applies even if you do not use a card to book flights. If you want to use another credit card, this credit card can provide a high reward for ticket purchases or book a ticket with a company card.
Global entry credit
The ultimate reason to apply for Citi/Aadvantage to execute the World Elite Mastercard is that you get a declared credit of up to $120 every four years or TSA Precheck.
After international travel, global entry is a great way to speed up your entry into the United States. And I highly recommend that you get gold with global entry, as Precheck includes global admission membership.
You can also use this credit for others – not only yourself or authorized users. Citi will only look for applicable fees in your statement, even if the card is used for applications from a friend or family member, your membership fee will be charged.
Bottom line
Citi/Aadvantage executes the world’s elite Mastercard offers profitable welcome offers, but the benefits on the card exceed the miles you will earn.
Access to Admiral Club privileges (extended to any authorized users you add), even the high annual fee, makes this card a great value proposition when flying U.S. and global inbound credits.
To learn more about this card, read our full review of Citi/Aadvantage Execution World Elite Mastercard.
Apply here: Citi/AADVANTAGGH Executes World Elite Mastercard
