Link: Apply now for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (review), which is American’s most premium credit card, has just undergone a full refresh. This card was in the “too good to be true” category for a long time, so these changes shouldn’t come as a surprise.
I first wrote about these changes when they were first announced, but wanted to post an update, now that the changes are live.
In this post:
Citi AAdvantage Executive Card gets higher fee, new benefits
Changes have been made to the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card as of Sunday, July 23, 2023. Let’s look at what has changed for the worse, what has changed for the better, and what has stayed the same.
Let’s start with what has changed for the worse:
- The annual fee has increased by 32%, from $450 per year to $595 per year
- The card previously let you add up to 10 authorized users at no extra cost, and each gets Admirals Club access; after the refresh, there’s a $175 annual fee for the first three authorized users (that’s $175 total for up to three people, so potentially under $60 each), and then a $175 annual fee for each authorized user thereafter
Now let’s talk about what has changed for the better:
- The card now offers up to $120 back on eligible Avis or Budget rentals every calendar year; this can be used toward a single rental, so as long as you spend $120 or more with Avis or Budget in a year, this should be worth face value
- The card now offers up to $120 back on eligible Grubhub purchases every year; this comes in the form of up to $10 in statement credits with each billing statement
- The card now offers up to $120 in Lyft credits every year; this comes in the form of a $10 credit each month after taking three eligible rides
- The card now offers 4x AAdvantage miles on American Airlines flight purchases, and after spending $150,000 on the card in a calendar year, cardmembers can earn a total of 5x AAdvantage miles on eligible American Airlines purchases for the remainder of the calendar year
- The card now offers 10x AAdvantage miles on eligible rental cars booked through aa.com/cars, and eligible hotels booked through aa.com/hotels
- The card now offers Loyalty Points bonuses, unrelated to spending on the card — receive 10,000 bonus Loyalty Points after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year, plus an additional 10,000 bonus Loyalty Points after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points in the same status qualification year; this replaces the previous opportunity to earn 10,000 bonus Loyalty Points when spending $40,000 on the card in a year
- The card now offers travel protection, including for trip cancellation and interruption, trip delay, lost baggage, and worldwide rental cars
Now let’s talk about what hasn’t changed about the card:
- The card continues to award one Loyalty Point for every dollar spent, helping you qualify for AAdvantage elite status, whether you’re going for Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, or Executive Platinum
- The card continues to offer an Admirals Club membership for the primary cardmember (while authorized users continue to get Admirals Club access, but not a full membership)
- The card continues to offer up to a $100 credit on a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four years
- The card continues to offer a first checked bag free for the primary cardmember and up to eight companions on the same reservation on American Airlines domestic flights
- The card continues to offer 25% savings on eligible American Airlines inflight food and beverage purchases when using the card
- The card continues to offer priority boarding, priority check-in, and priority screening on American Airlines flights for the primary cardmember and up to eight companions on the same reservation
What happens for existing cardmembers?
If you’re an existing Citi AAdvantage Executive Card member, how should you expect these changes to be implemented?
- You’ll be billed the new annual fee on your next renewal date
- You’ll be billed for authorized users on your next renewal date
- You can start taking advantage of the new card perks immediately, including the credits with Avis/Budget, Grubhub, and Lyft, plus the elevated mileage earning on flights, and with American’s hotel and rental car portals
- If you earn 50,000 Loyalty Points you can expect to earn 10,000 bonus Loyalty Points, and if you earn 90,000 Loyalty Points you can expect to earn another 10,000 bonus Loyalty Points; this will automatically post during this membership year
One common question has been regarding the 10,000 bonus Loyalty Points that you historically earn for spending $40,000 on the card. In 2023, can you qualify for the 10,000 bonus Loyalty Points through that, plus the 20,000 bonus Loyalty Points as part of the new card perks?
The short answer is that it’s one or the other, and you’re not going to earn more than 20,000 Loyalty Points from the card this year. If that’s not clear, here are the relevant terms:
For AAdvantage status qualifying year, defined as March 1, 2023 – February 29, 2024, the Primary credit cardmember will earn 10,000 additional Loyalty Points for fulfilling one of the following milestones: (1) after earning 50,000 Loyalty Points, or (2) after spending $40,000 in purchases that post to the cardmember’s account. You can only earn the first 10,000 additional Loyalty Points once in the AAdvantage status qualifying year of March 1, 2023 – February 29, 2024.
Additionally, if in that same qualifying year, the Primary credit cardmember earns 90,000 Loyalty Points, the Primary credit cardmember will be awarded an additional 10,000 Loyalty Points. Total additional Loyalty Points that can be earned through this benefit is 20,000 in one qualifying year.
This is part of a larger American Admirals Club overhaul
The introduction of Citi AAdvantage Executive Card changes comes as part of a larger Admirals Club overhaul.
Also as of July 23, 2023, the cost of an Admirals Club membership has been increased from $650 per year to $850 per year. Similarly, the cost of day passes has increased from $59 per person to $79 per person. So it’s not surprising that the annual fee and authorized user perks on the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card have been changed as well.
It’s not all bad news, though. American has promised to improve Admirals Clubs, with more substantial food, more complimentary alcohol options, and even some grab-and-go snacks. While that’s positive, personally I’m skeptical about just how good these changes will be. After all, it almost feels like American is making these changes just to show that it’s doing something to justify a higher cost of membership.
Is the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card still worth it?
The changes to the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card are negative, plain and simple. That being said, the card fit into the “too good to be true” category for a long time.
For a $450 annual fee, you not only got an Admirals Club membership for the primary cardmember, but you could add 10 authorized users at no extra cost, and they received Admirals Club access as well. As much as I wish it weren’t the case, we knew this was going to change sooner or later.
With that in mind, here’s my take on the new value proposition of the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card:
- The $595 annual fee is still less than you’d pay for buying an Admirals Club membership outright; furthermore, adding three authorized users could still be a good deal, as you’re paying under $60 per person for them to get Admirals Club access
- It’s awesome to be able to earn 20,000 bonus Loyalty Points without any spending requirement just for having the card, assuming you earn 90,000 Loyalty Points per year otherwise; this is frankly a reason for elite members to hold onto the card, even if they don’t plan on spending money on it
- The up to $360 in credits with Avis/Budget, Grubhub, and Lyft, are valuable incremental perks, though they all take effort to use; with the number of credit card issuers offering these kinds of perks, I feel like I’m becoming a professional couponer
- Many will be excited to earn 4-5x AAdvantage miles on American Airlines purchases, though I don’t view there as being much incremental value there, since other cards have similarly good returns on airfare spending
- What I find rather odd is that there’s a strong incentive for elite members to have this card (to earn 20,000 Loyalty Points), but not actually an incentive to spend money on the card, aside from earning one Loyalty Point per dollar spent, as is the case on all of American’s credit cards
So while I’m absolutely not a fan of these changes, I understand why they happened, and I’ll continue to be a cardmember. Living in Miami, American is the airline I fly most, and I value Admirals Club access. I’ll probably keep three authorized users, given the incremental value offered. But going from a $450 annual fee to a $770 annual fee ($595 + $175 for 3 authorized users) while losing Admirals Club access for eight people isn’t ideal. 😉
On the plus side, 20,000 bonus Loyalty Points with no spending requirement is nice. It seems like American is trying to make this a card that all elites will want to get. The catch, of course, is that Loyalty Points thresholds can change each year. It’s nice to get more Loyalty Points, but when the goalposts keep changing, it’s hard to get too excited.
Bottom line
The Citi AAdvantage Executive Card has undergone major changes as of July 23, 2023. The card’s annual fee has increased to $595, and there is now a cost for authorized users ($175 for up to three, and then $175 for each additional one beyond that).
There are some positive changes to the card, though, including new opportunities to earn credits, the ability to earn up to 20,000 bonus Loyalty Points annually, travel protection, and more.
These changes are no doubt negative, and mark the end of one of the world’s most generous credit card perks. As a result, we also shouldn’t be surprised about these changes.
What do you make of these Citi AAdvantage Executive Card changes?
I have the card and was wondering if you know when the first 10,000 loyalty points bonus will post if I already have 50,000 loyalty points for the year when these changes were made. Will I still get the 10,000 loyalty point bonus?
I think these changes are pretty good. First, 20,000 LP boost May come in handy for me in some years. Second, eliminating the ability to add 10 card holders for free should help create additional space in the AC lounges. Finally, the increased annual fee will cause more folks to drop the card. Win/Win/Win.
Agreed
What are eligible rentals through Avis/Budget? If you book on Costco and pay at location, is it still considered eligible?
OH MY!! One more reason why I have elected to stay with United.
In the past 4 months have received the Ink Unlimited, (100K sign up)
and the INK Preferred, (100K sign up). Both have ZERO annual fee.
Now these on top of the United Club Infinite, (100k Sign up) plus lounge access for me AND FAMILY and premier status, early boarding for $595
annual fee.
In short 3 Chase cards...
OH MY!! One more reason why I have elected to stay with United.
In the past 4 months have received the Ink Unlimited, (100K sign up)
and the INK Preferred, (100K sign up). Both have ZERO annual fee.
Now these on top of the United Club Infinite, (100k Sign up) plus lounge access for me AND FAMILY and premier status, early boarding for $595
annual fee.
In short 3 Chase cards = 300K signup points and all the perks included that you have to pay extra for on AA for $595 per year.
This is how this will work. AA will jack up the price but then there will be two types of lunges. The first type will be “compliant.” This will be the one lounge at DCA that has been remodeled. All other lounges will be “legacy” and will receive none of these upgrades. Where is Gemma when you need her?
Now the card gives rental car insurance and travel interruption insurance etc. Before they took those away in 2019 I saved $2000 on a fender bender repair in Australia. I think the changes are definitely for the better and if keeps the 10 authorized users out of the lounge, even better.
I have 2 CITI AA cards and WAS considering getting a 3rd (the AA small biz). But now that CITI has done me dirty by taking away the 10k LP's I was due to earn very soon, I won't be doing business with them any longer. They can't just move the goal post TWICE in 1 year and expect no reaction. The did me dirty late last uear by moving the date of the same...
I have 2 CITI AA cards and WAS considering getting a 3rd (the AA small biz). But now that CITI has done me dirty by taking away the 10k LP's I was due to earn very soon, I won't be doing business with them any longer. They can't just move the goal post TWICE in 1 year and expect no reaction. The did me dirty late last uear by moving the date of the same benefit from Dec 31st to March 1st, effectively robbing me of another 10k LP's as well. Then 6-7 months later do the same. NOPE. I don't trust Y'all anymore.
Fortunately Citi offers a clear "downgrade path" for those that don't see the benefits in keeping the card, including me. I'd be curious if there are any retention offers when people start calling to cancel/downgrade their cards.
Do you know if for those of us with the card already AND have over 90K loyalty points earned already this year if we will get the 20K loyalty points deposited instantly?
Yes. Has been mentioned numerous places, including here on this blog.
I am not sure the case where a person hit $40k spend and 90k loyalty points a month or two before this change has been addressed. This is me and I have not seen the second 10k loyalty points hit my account yet.
@ TKinCT -- Since the changes were just implemented, it can take up to 10 weeks for the additional Loyalty Points to hit your account.
Curious to see if Barclays now has to up the benefits for its Silver AA card, which now no longer has the best deal for AA spending at 3X per $ spent.
So odd that Barclay's has 5 AA cards and only 2 are available for new applications. Are they moving away from this relationship???
Do you know if the Citi card offers primary rental car insurance that it would make sense to put car rental spend on this card for the protection?
As an employee we tried the new food and it is NOT an improvement. I wouldn't pay these new prices for that cheap quality. $79 for a day pass and $850 for a membership for one person is too much for these embarassing options. Even for the credit card, $100 less than AMEX and not nearly as many offers. (Even the Lyft credit is a puny $10/month AFTER 3 rides)
With this price hike, there's...
As an employee we tried the new food and it is NOT an improvement. I wouldn't pay these new prices for that cheap quality. $79 for a day pass and $850 for a membership for one person is too much for these embarassing options. Even for the credit card, $100 less than AMEX and not nearly as many offers. (Even the Lyft credit is a puny $10/month AFTER 3 rides)
With this price hike, there's going to be a lot less members and people are going to cancel their Citi card (and I'll be one of them)
I have to admit I am unclear about one thing (as I have seen two different descriptions on other websites). If I drop my wife's card and just renew mine at the new rate, am I still entitled to have her as a guest at the lounge?
2 guests with the new card.
Surprise, Surprise! CITI lied to me! So it doesn't matter that I'm very close to 40k in spend since March 1st, I won't get "both" thr 10k LP's and the 10k LP's for already being at a certain AA level. It's either OR, whichever happens 1st. Totally not fair and a HUGE bait and switch. CITI needs to stop jerking around It's best customers.
Going forward what you want is the Barclays AA Silver paired with the Citi Executive Platinum (assuming spending to AA status on a CC is your primary goal). Spend 50k on the Barclays to get 15k LP's and then you'll get another 10k LP's from the Citi Executive Platinum...... you would be Platinum at that point with 50k spend.
Thank You for the heads up, I don't even have the RED Barclay's yet though. From my understanding, Silver cannot be applied for. So I'd have to first get the Red, and then wait at least a full year to ask to upgrade to the Silver. Is this Your understanding as well?
Yes, you are right the recent major changes to the Citi Advantage Executive Card have brought exciting updates and improvements. Cardholders can now enjoy enhanced benefits and a more rewarding experience, making it an even more valuable choice for frequent travelers.
Chat GPT? That you?
“Living in Miami, American is the airline I fly most, and I value Admirals Club access.”
Why? Admirals club access makes a lot of sense for someone who lives in a non-hub city and is always connecting and has time to kill between those connections. But you live in a hub - presumably you are showing up at the airport with just enough time before your (in most cases) nonstop flight to your destination.
...“Living in Miami, American is the airline I fly most, and I value Admirals Club access.”
Why? Admirals club access makes a lot of sense for someone who lives in a non-hub city and is always connecting and has time to kill between those connections. But you live in a hub - presumably you are showing up at the airport with just enough time before your (in most cases) nonstop flight to your destination.
Similarly, I live in CLT, and Admirals club access would basically be useless to me. Maybe I’d spend 15 mins there prior to a departure, and never on a return…what’s the point?
This looks like this is intended to reduce crowding without sacrificing gross membership revenues (either cash or through cc). I think that's a good thing. It's an airline lounge, not a fine dining establishment. My own gripe would be to change the food offerings more frequently.
Also, while MIA is my home often I need to show up early because I need to take calls and it's far easier to take them at the...
This looks like this is intended to reduce crowding without sacrificing gross membership revenues (either cash or through cc). I think that's a good thing. It's an airline lounge, not a fine dining establishment. My own gripe would be to change the food offerings more frequently.
Also, while MIA is my home often I need to show up early because I need to take calls and it's far easier to take them at the lounge (despite the sometimes noise) than sitting in an Uber. Also, I might want to grab something to eat before flying if I'm stuck in coach or on a non food in First flight (under 900 miles). Finally in summer time I tend to get to the airport early because if weather rolls in and delays are going to cause a misconnect for me being in the AC is the best play to be. Often I am able to immediately reroute with the help of staff. Albeit I usually have to do my own research for alternatives.
15min is enough time to visit the lounge.
Why not go on arrival? Free food!
Ben, can you write up a post about how when to use the trip protection services please? It seems laborious and complicated. Thanks.
The new changes are complicated also the 10X american airline hotel changes. I’m not the smartest guy out there. I have a lot to look into .
Well this sucks. I'll keep it for another year and decide then. To combat the fee hikes I'll probably remove my spouse as an authorized user since he rarely uses the card or club without me. I like the mileage earnings and I got EP status for 4 months by spending for the Instant Status Pass.
Just got Approved. You should get the referral Ben.
It's so funny watching these credit cards fall over themselves to become the new "entertainment book." Exorbitant annual fee, but look! You can get $10 per month at a dozen places you'd never otherwise shop!
Ha! Exactly. It makes it harder to collect any value from having the card. Grubhub? Lyft? Who cares. American Express was first with this nickel and dime approach I think.
I live in Houston and if I fly AA I layover at DFW. So the Admirals Club was a great perk. But gave the card up at the start of the pandemic. If I can sign up again and get the bonus, it might be worth doing.
Hi Ben, do you know if the additional card holders are still eligible to bring 2 guest on day of travel? Thanks!
@ Cruz24 -- Yep, sure are!
Ben - previously, you could earn miles by booking hotels through AA’s platform that was run by booking.com, or you could earn miles by booking directly through rocket miles. This morning I went to aaa.com/hotels and it appears the platform is now run by rocket miles, and there are extra miles offered if you have status and extra if you have a credit card. Have you heard anymore about this change, it seems the 10...
Ben - previously, you could earn miles by booking hotels through AA’s platform that was run by booking.com, or you could earn miles by booking directly through rocket miles. This morning I went to aaa.com/hotels and it appears the platform is now run by rocket miles, and there are extra miles offered if you have status and extra if you have a credit card. Have you heard anymore about this change, it seems the 10 X miles for booking hotels may be a sweet spot of this card. What do you think?
@ Zach -- Yep, it's looking like that. I'm studying the new AA hotels situation, especially with the implementation of this change, and will report back. Hope to have a post on it soon.
Thank you!
Hmm. I have this card, but was determined to cancel/downgrade given I don't fly AA much. However my $450 fee just hit last month. I should be able to get value out of the Grubhub and Avis credits this calendar year and next. I may as well keep and cancel/downgrade next year...
@ Anthony -- Yeah, no reason to downgrade or cancel it just yet...
If I've already earned 120K LPs for this year, and I apply for and receive this new card after the benefits change, has anyone confirmed that I would get the 2 LP bonuses from the 50K mark (10K), and the 90K mark (another 10k)?
Same boat. Fingers crossed. It does appear we should get the extra 20k LP's.
Steve, I have the same question, but why do you think it appears we should get the extra 20k LPs?
As a follow up question, will these 20K bonus LPs also count as RDMs? (I have had vendor bonus LPs that ONLY count as LPs and not RDMs). Unless chasing status, this would make these 20K points much less valuable.
@ GregM -- Yes, in that situation you'd be eligible for the 20K bonus Loyalty Points. But those are only Loyalty Points, and not redeemable miles.
@Ben Thank you for the clarification
Am I the only one who is LIVID with CITI over changing the "Spend $40,000, Earn 10k Loyalty Points" benefit TWO YEARS IN A ROW? 1st they changed it at the last minute last year and moved the earning date from "Calendar Year" to "AA Qualifying Year" (Dec 31st to March 1st), which effectively made this card unusable for me as I had already pushed to get that before EOY. Then now they are changing...
Am I the only one who is LIVID with CITI over changing the "Spend $40,000, Earn 10k Loyalty Points" benefit TWO YEARS IN A ROW? 1st they changed it at the last minute last year and moved the earning date from "Calendar Year" to "AA Qualifying Year" (Dec 31st to March 1st), which effectively made this card unusable for me as I had already pushed to get that before EOY. Then now they are changing it AGAIN by removing it 4.5 months into the new qualifying year!!! Not fair at all! I called CITI this morning and they said that I won't have to pay the higher AF until next year (since I just renewed June 1st) and said that I'll start to earn ALL of the benefits as of the launch date in July AND will still have the old Benefits too? I swear CITI AND AA just throw spaghetti at walls.
The new verbiage is 10k LP after 40k LP's. It's not only tied to spend.
Yes I read and understand that part. I'm in the boat of being VERY close to 40k in spend since March 1st and I don't think it's fair to now take that away from me with 1 weeks notice.
They aren’t taking it away. For you, they are just changing it to $50k spend, and adding another milestone at $80k spend. Were you going to stop spending at $40k and keep gold status? You do seem to be the only one who is, as you put it, livid over these changes.
Is there a downgrade path for this card? Mine renews in November.
Citi let's you downgrade to any card typically.
I just renewed the card last month. Would I still have my authorized users for free beginning 7/23?
@ Josh Ochotorena -- Yep, until the next annual fee is due.
So to be clear, current benefits remain in place until the current card expires? I wonder what kind of retention offers they'll be making to loyal card holders to keep it come renewal?
@ Jill -- Well the current fees apply for existing cardmembers until your card is up for renewal for the first time after July 23. However, as of July 23 you can start taking advantage of the new benefits.
Do we still get a guest in that is traveling with us?
Yes, 2.
"going forward, there will be a $175 annual fee for the first three authorized users, and then a $175 annual fee for each authorized user thereafter"
Either wrong or just say $175 per authorized user. Probably a typo.
$175 total for first 3 authorized users
$175 each for 4th+ authorized users
You get 3 for $175, turn pay$175 for tax AU after that... Just as reported
Im so glad i didnt get this card a few months back, was such a no brainer to get this card and get everyone of my immediate family member an admiral club membership for the holidays. So glad i have ditched AA and am a free agent on my flights.
Really? It seems like right now is the best time to get this card, below July 23rd. 450 a year and add the people you want to have access for free for 1 year + get the new perks.
I hope they will have better food options because it’s hard to justify paying $695 for that “Cariboam chicken” garbage they were serving in June. It was absolute crap, almost like canned food !
They think their card is another Amex Platinum?
I admit I am excited about the 4x miles on AA. It seemed like the 2x was nearly impossible to justify when we have 5x options with Amex.
My two curiosities:
1. Does 4x miles mean 4x LPs? Citi has been super cheap about that in the past, and they "really only meant 1x" when you escalate.
2. Citigold rebate: is that changing? :)
1x loyalty still
Is the rental car insurance going to be primary coverage? If not, the $120 Avis/Budget credit will be useless to most since it’s better to use another premium card with primary rental car insurance coverage.
Secondary is the US, but primary overseas.
Is the rental car insurance going to be primary coverage? If not, the $120 Avis/Budget credit will be useless to most since it’s better to use another premium card with primary rental car insurance coverage.
I will be dropping this card
Why?
It continues to baffle me that unlike competitors UA and DL, AA does not offer a small business premium lounge access card.
My WEx card came up for annual renewal this month. I dropped the card before the announcement of the fee increase and changes. I had been traveling domestically almost every month, now less so. Have a ton of AA miles and it makes more sense to use them for Admirals Club membership since flight awards have become so expensive with miles. I still have the aviator card.
Is an authorized user still allowed to bring a guest?
Yes, 2.
I just recently passed $40k spend on my card. Will I still get that extra 10k LP?
I'm wondering how this will work too. I also recently passed $40k spend but the statement for that spend won't close until the beginning of August. I also already passed 50k loyalty points.
Hopefully, they've thought this change through. I am fine with retroactively getting the loyalty points for hitting 50k loyalty points OR getting the loyalty point bonus for $40k spend. I will not be happy if I don't end up getting either...
I'm wondering how this will work too. I also recently passed $40k spend but the statement for that spend won't close until the beginning of August. I also already passed 50k loyalty points.
Hopefully, they've thought this change through. I am fine with retroactively getting the loyalty points for hitting 50k loyalty points OR getting the loyalty point bonus for $40k spend. I will not be happy if I don't end up getting either because my statement with the $40k closes two weeks after these changes and I am already passed 50k LP.
I received the extra 10k LPs after the statement closed for the period when I passed the $40k spend threshold. That's happened consistently.
That's certainly been the case in the past. The confusion lies with what will happen to those of us that have spent $40k but don't have our statement close before the announced changes appear to be taking place. They appear to be doing away with the 10k loyalty points after $40k spend and replacing it with 10k loyalty points after you earn 50k loyalty points.
In my situation, I hit $40k spend a few...
That's certainly been the case in the past. The confusion lies with what will happen to those of us that have spent $40k but don't have our statement close before the announced changes appear to be taking place. They appear to be doing away with the 10k loyalty points after $40k spend and replacing it with 10k loyalty points after you earn 50k loyalty points.
In my situation, I hit $40k spend a few days ago, the changes to this card that seem to eliminate the 10k loyalty points after $40k spend appear to take place on July 23 and my statement doesn't close until Aug. 2.
Everybody make sure to read the T&C's for that 40K spend ... for 2023, the start date for that $40K spend counter is March 1st....
I'm also in this very weird situation. I can theoretically finish off the $40K spend before my statement closes on June 16th. Loyalty Points from CC spend always credit 2 days later, on the 18th of every month.
I'm wondering... if I time this right... if I can...
Everybody make sure to read the T&C's for that 40K spend ... for 2023, the start date for that $40K spend counter is March 1st....
I'm also in this very weird situation. I can theoretically finish off the $40K spend before my statement closes on June 16th. Loyalty Points from CC spend always credit 2 days later, on the 18th of every month.
I'm wondering... if I time this right... if I can double dip: get the 10K bonus loyalty points for completing the spend before July 23rd .... and then get the 10K bonus for reaching 50,000 loyalty points too. (currently sitting at 44,000)
But if the loyalty points from CC spend post just 2 days after the statement closes (July 18th)... that will put me over the 50,000 loyalty point threshold *prior* to July 23rd...
Which then begs the question ... are they counting spend based on the statement closing date, or the date charges posted?
Argh. This reminds me of the Hyatt DOuble Elite Night Credit promo that Chase did with the Hyatt Business Card welcome offer.
Everyone, I called Citi this morning (I'm at 87k LP's and 30k spend since March 1st, the moved back the date this year with NO notice due to AA changing the qualifying dates). The CS agent said that we will get both benefits, I told them I was close to hitting that and it's not fair that I've moved significant spend their way to only have it taken aways with days notice. The Agent assured...
Everyone, I called Citi this morning (I'm at 87k LP's and 30k spend since March 1st, the moved back the date this year with NO notice due to AA changing the qualifying dates). The CS agent said that we will get both benefits, I told them I was close to hitting that and it's not fair that I've moved significant spend their way to only have it taken aways with days notice. The Agent assured me that when I hit 40k spend for the year that I will still get the bonus (for this year only) and also told me that I will get the 20k LP's for already hitting those new goals. She said all new benefits start on the new date for all cardholders. Crossing my fingers on this, I'm still LIVID at CITI for changing the spending dates late last year around New Years Eve/Christmas with NO NOTICE.
The Lyft credit is really only $5 incremental at best since all Mastercards (I believe?) are eligible for a promotion where you get a $5 credit after 3 rides each month. And you'd have to give up the higher points/$ on Lyft from Chase cards in order to use this.
Right. Way too many hoops for too little value on this "perk." I almost never take three Lyft rides in a month, but when I do, I'd still be better offer earning 10x UR per dollar instead of 1 AA mile + $10 back.
Just for clarification - to add up to 3 AU's costs $175. Does it have to be 3 AU's - or, can it just be 1 additional AU at a cost of $XX? In other words, does it cost the same to add additional AU's whether it be 3 or 1?
It's $175 whether it's 1, 2, or 3.
@Lee - thank you!!
Re: the LP bonus, it seems that if you earn 80k LPs in a year outside of the card, you get an extra 20k LP.
Earn 50k LP regularly, get 10k bonus to get to 60k. Earn another 30k regularly, hit 90k, get the second 10k bonus.
20k bonus LP for EXPs who have the card is going to have an effect on upgrade lists.
So wait…if I pay $175 for three authorized users, do they get Admirals Club access? The language seems to conflict. On one hand, it says that the primary cardholder gets club access. On the other, Ben suggests that at $60 per additional user ($175 for three), it’s not a bad deal for club access (which, of course, is true if true). Would appreciate clarification. Thanks.
@ BC -- Yes, the authorized users do get access. The primary cardmember gets an Admirals Club membership, while authorized users get Admirals Club access. The distinction is that only the member can access select partner lounges, and not the authorized users.
Thanks. Do you think that they’ll have some kind of last minute promo to grandfather additional AUs at a lower price for the first year?
@ BC -- I could be wrong, but I highly doubt it, especially since the new pricing is still reasonable in the scheme of things.
If you apply for the card prior to 24th July, you will receive the current pricing (including authorized users and the 50k SUB if eligible) and you will have the new pricing upon your yearly renewal. Citi will send you an email around 45 days prior to that renewal to tell you that the pricing is going up. If you apply for the card on or after 24th July, you will receive the new pricing (including authorized users and the 100k SUB if eligible).
If authorized users will continue to have Admiral's Club access, will they still also be able to bring in 2 guests?
The way I read it, the Loyalty Point bonuses will no longer be tied to card spend; rather, cardholders would earn the bonuses after accumulating 50K / 90K LPs by any means (e.g. flights).
It would be good to get official confirmation on this from Citi.
@ AG -- I think you're right, good catch. Updating the post because I read it that way too, but will seek official confirmation.
Would you have to have an open card when you hit that threshold? Or if you have passed that point threshold then get the card, do you think they would apply it retroactively?
DC-PHLyer: Try it and report back.
Yeah, I'm curious about this. It seems like a great deal -- anyone going for Platinum now has 10k LPs fewer to do, and 20k fewer LPs for those going for EXP. That's meaningful in that you save some money and inconvenience from having to earn those LPs otherwise. But it feels like it could be the bonus only comes after 50k LPs *earned through the card.*
This would compel me to keep the card. Good catch!
Ben, have you got a confirmation that the loyalty point boost is based on spending on the card? Other sources have indicated that just having the card gives you a 10k LP boost at 50k and another at 90k.
If the LP boost is just from having the card, then it's similar to how the DL Reserve gives upgrade priority (as a tiebreaker after status and fare class).
https://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2023/American-Airlines-and-Citi-enhance-the-Citi-AAdvantage-Executive-World-Elite-Mastercard-with-more-benefits-AADV-07/default.aspx
AA's press release says
"A 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year.
An additional 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points in the same status qualification year."
Ben, could you compare it to Alaska Lounge+ membership?
It offers access to Admirlas Clubs, and costs $550 for AS elite members and $650 for non-elite members.
I'm seriously considering closing my AAdvantage card and switching to AS.
I'm single, so giving away lounge access isn't worth it for me.
@ S_LEE -- Yeah, that definitely could be a decent deal as well. Do you credit flights to AAdvantage, and/or have status with American? If so, there could be value to keeping the card for the bonus Loyalty Points.
I live in Seattle so I fly Alaska the most, but credit miles to AA and have Platinum Pro status with AA.
You're right, the bonus LP looks very tempting. I'll see how good it is until next year.
'Protection for travel plans' is also a positive change. It may be worth the extra annual fee.
If you have an AS credit card, there's a $100 Alaska Lounge membership discount. It might change the math one way or the other in your decision making process.
AS credit card discount doesn't seem to be combinable with elite discount, so the lowest price for Alaska Lounge+ will be $550.
I'd rather keep my AAdvantage Executive card for the time being considering the bonus LP and trip protection.