Effective July 23, 2023, American Airlines and Citi will add new benefits for the Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard. American is also elevating the Admirals Club lounge experience with enhanced food and beverage offerings.
On Monday (July 10, 2023), American Airlines announced the rollout of new benefits for the Citi/AAdvantage World Elite Mastercard effective July 23, 2023. Cardmembers will have the opportunity to earn more AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points, and will continue to have access to American’s Admirals Club lounges. New benefits include up to $120 back on eligible Avis or Budget care rentals every calendar year, as well as up to $120 back on eligible Grubhub purchases (up to $10 statement credit monthly) and up to $120 in Lyft credits ($10 statement credit each month after taking three eligible rides). Cardholders will also earn 4X AAdvantage miles on eligible American Airlines purchases after spending $150,000 in a calendar year, and 5X for the remainder of the year. Additionally, customers can earn 10X AAdvantage miles on eligible car rentals or hotel bookings through aa.com/cars or aa.com/hotels.
In Monday’s announcement, American Airline’s Senior Vice President of Partnership Strategy, Scott Laurence, said,
“We’re excited to enhance the Citi/AAdvantage Executive card to offer industry-leading benefits while also improving the Admirals Club experience for our customers. American is grateful to our partners at Citi for providing outstanding experiences and customer service to AAdvantage members and co-brand cardmembers for more than 35 years. Travel is better as an AAdvantage member, and it's even better as a Citi/AAdvantage Executive cardmember.”
Also commenting on the enhanced cardmember benefits, Citi’s CEO of U.S. Branded Cards and lending, Pam Habner, said,
“For more than 35 years, Citi and American Airlines have set the standard for cobrand product offerings, continuing to update products based on our cardmembers’ evolving lifestyles. Cardmembers today want to be rewarded for moments big and small. We designed this refreshed card with elevated travel benefits to get cardmembers to their next getaway sooner along with new ways to reward cardmembers for day-to-day luxuries.”
Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard cardmembers can also now earn Loyalty Point bonuses to reach AAdvantage status faster. Customers will receive a 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year, plus an additional 10,000 Loyalty Points after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points in the same status qualification year. Additionally, cardholders will benefit from Trip Cancellation & Interruption, Trip Delay, and Lost Baggage Protection, as well as Worldwide Car Rental Insurance. Starting July 23, 2023, the card will have a $595 annual membership fee for primary users and $175 for authorized users. From July 23rd through September 6, 2023, newly approved cardholders can earn 100,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $10,000 within the first three months of account opening.
In addition to the new benefits, Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard cardmembers will continue to enjoy Admirals Club membership, up to $100 credit on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fees (every four years), first free checked bag for primary cardmember and up to eight companions on American Airlines domestic flights. Cardmembers also enjoy 25 percent savings on eligible American Airlines inflight food and beverage purchases when using the card. Additionally, customers will continue to benefit from an enhanced airport experience with priority check-in, screening and boarding for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation, as well as a dedicated concierge.
American Airlines Takes the Admirals Club Guest Experience to the Next Level - Courtesy American Airlines
Coinciding with the launch of enhanced cardmember benefits, American is also elevating the Admirals Club lounge experience to the next level. Starting in select cities on July 23, 2023, customers will find a heartier variety of complimentary premium food with new hot and cold breakfast options, as well as all-day menus with regionally inspired options such as Cuban pork sliders in Miami and mini crab cakes in Washington D.C. Select lounges will also offer convenient grab-and-go snacks. The enhanced food range will rollout to all Admirals Club lounges by early 2024. Starting this month, all domestic lounges will also feature complimentary sparkling wine, craft beer and spirits such as scotch and tequila. Guests can also enjoy complimentary cocktails like mimosas, Bloody Marys, or other signature creations.
Over the coming months, American will open newly refreshed lounges at Denver International Airport (DEN) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The carrier is also updating the rates for Admirals Club annual memberships and One Day Passes. From July 23, 2023, new Admirals Club annual memberships will be $850 or 85,000 miles, and One Day Passes will be $79 or 7,900 miles.
Source: American Airlines