Citi Strata Elite Card vs. AAdvantage Executive World Elite Card [Detailed Comparison]

Key Takeaways

• The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card and Citi^®/AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^® earn rewards best when purchasing travel.
• The Citi Strata Elite card earns ThankYou Points that can be transferred to airline and hotel partners, while the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card earns American Airlines AAdvantage miles.
• The Citi Strata Elite card offers broader worldwide Priority Pass lounge access, while the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card offers worldwide Admirals Club access.
• Both cards have attributes that make them a good choice for American Airlines loyalists.

If you’re looking for airline-centric perks, your first thought may be to secure an airline-branded credit card. And that could be a smart move. With elevated earnings, flight benefits, a faster path to elite status, and frequent flyer miles to redeem, these cards are a natural path to enhance your airline loyalty.

Conversely, if your goal is to earn flexible rewards that are transferable to a variety of airlines and offer broader travel benefits, you might want to choose a travel rewards card.

The special cards we’ve chosen for today’s comparison reflect both of those objectives, yet have crossover benefits that might surprise you.

The Citi Strata Elite card and the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card deliver benefits for American Airlines flyers. The better card for you depends on your spending and travel preferences.

We’ll walk through the features and benefits of both cards to help you make an informed decision.

Overview

Before we expand on the details of the Citi Strata Elite card and the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card, it’s helpful to review an overall comparison of the 2 cards.

Here are the key features and benefits you’ll find on the cards:

Welcome Offers

Once approved for either the Citi Strata Elite card or the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card, you have the opportunity to earn a welcome bonus offer by meeting minimum spending requirements within the specified period.

Welcome bonus offers are an opportunity to jump-start your earnings. The quicker you accumulate rewards, the faster you can redeem them for travel. The actual value of the welcome offer you receive depends on your ultimate redemption choices.

Here are the most current welcome offers and additional information on our featured cards:

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Citi Strata Elite card is Citi's most premium card built for frequent travelers and foodies.

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

The Citi Strata Elite card is Citi's most premium card built for frequent travelers and foodies.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

80,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $1,280

Annual Fee

$595

APR

21.24% to 29.24% Variable

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata Elite card is a great option for frequent travelers, foodies, and those who are fans of the Citi ThankYou Rewards ecosystem thanks to its combination of bonus categories, perks, and annual credits.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 12x points on hotels, rental cars, and attractions booked through Citi Travel
• 6x points on airfare through Citi Travel
• 6x points on dining on Citi Nights (Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and 3x points on dining at all other times

Cons

• $595 annual fee
• Boosted dining rewards are limited to 2 nights per week

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months of account opening
• 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on cititravel.com
• 6x points on air travel booked on cititravel.com
• 6x points at restaurants, including restaurant delivery services, every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET, and 3x points any other time
• 1.5x points on all other purchases
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• Up to $300 annual hotel benefit
• Up to $200 annual splurge credit
• Up to $200 annual Blacklane credit
• 4 American Airlines Admirals Club passes every calendar year
• Transfer Citi ThankYou Points to partners like American Airlines
• Complimentary Priority Pass membership
• No foreign transaction fees

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.24% to 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Access to Admirals Clubs, tons of added benefits, and a way to spend towards elite status make this a great option for American Airlines loyalists.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®

Access to Admirals Clubs, tons of added benefits, and a way to spend towards elite status make this a great option for American Airlines loyalists.

Welcome Offer

Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $7,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

70,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$980

Annual Fee

$595

APR

20.24% — 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The AAdvantage Executive World Elite card is a must-have for frequent American Airlines flyers who want Admirals Club lounge access, to earn more miles on their daily expenses, and a fast-track to American Airlines AAdvantage elite status.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 10x miles on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through aadvantagehotels.com and aadvantagecars.com
• Earn 4x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, and 5x miles after you spend $150,000 in purchases in a calendar year
• Earn 1x mile and 1 Loyalty Point on all other purchases

Cons

• $595 annual fee
• Doesn’t earn many miles on all other eligible purchases

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $7,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
• Admirals Club^® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
• Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage^® mile earned from purchases
• First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% — 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

Earning Potential

Key elements to consider when selecting a travel rewards card include how the card rewards your most frequent and significant purchases, the type of rewards you earn, and your options for redeeming them.

We’ll cover redemption options next, but first, let’s review how earning rewards works on the Citi Strata Elite card and AAdvantage Executive World Elite card:

The Citi Strata Elite card earns the best on select travel booked through Citi Travel. Outside the portal, all travel purchases earn 1.5x points. The AAdvantage Executive World Elite card earns the most rewards on hotels, car rentals, flights, and vacations purchased through American, aadvantagehotels.com, and aadvantagecars.com, as well as 1x miles on all other travel.

If your airline of choice is American Airlines, you can still accumulate miles by spending on the Citi Strata Elite card, as you can transfer points to the airline. Additionally, when booking American Airlines flights through Citi Travel, you earn 6x points. For example, a $1,000 flight would earn 6,000 ThankYou Points that transfer to American Airlines at a 1:1 ratio, resulting in 6,000 American Airlines miles.

The Citi Strata Elite card offers bonus earnings on dining, particularly on weekends when purchases can earn up to 6x points. Additionally, the card earns 1.5x points on every purchase, compared to 1x miles with the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card.

Hot Tip:

The AAdvantage Executive World Elite card provides a faster path to American Airlines AAdvantage elite status through card spending. Every purchase earns 1 Loyalty Point toward elite status for each $1 spent. Additionally, once you reach 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year, you earn an additional 10,000 Loyalty Points, plus another 10,000 at the 90,000 Loyalty Point level.

Redemptions

The Citi Strata Elite card earns flexible ThankYou Points, while the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card earns American Airlines miles.

Here are the redemption options you have with each of our featured cards:

Flexible ThankYou Points earned on the Citi Strata Elite card offer more choices at redemption time, with the ability to transfer points to airline or hotel partners. Some of the best redemptions can be Singapore Suites on the A380, transcontinental flights on United, Virgin Atlantic Upper Class to Europe, and Choice Privileges hotels.

You can also redeem points for 1 cent each for travel through Citi Travel or as a statement credit. Existing Citi customers also have the advantage of transferring points to eligible Citi accounts, such as mortgages or loans.

Miles earned on the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card can only be redeemed with the American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty program for American Airlines or alliance partners’ award flights and cannot be transferred to other airlines.

American Airlines Benefits

One unique characteristic that the Citi Strata Elite card and the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card share is the American Airlines benefits associated with each card:

The AAdvantage Executive World Elite card comes with full membership to the Admirals Club as long as you have the card. The primary cardholder can bring their immediate family (including a spouse, domestic partner, and children under 18) or 2 guests. Authorized users on the card have the same access to the Admirals Club. The Citi Strata Elite card comes with 4 annual, single-person passes.

AAdvantage Executive World Elite cardholders who fly on American receive several benefits. The cardholder, plus up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation, receive a free checked bag, priority check-in, priority boarding, and priority security screening. Additionally, cardholders receive a 25% discount on inflight food and beverages.

The Citi Strata Elite card does not offer any American Airlines airport or flight benefits.

Bottom Line:

If you have a family and travel frequently on American Airlines, the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card could deliver plenty of value. If you travel on American a few times a year, the Citi Strata Elite card could still provide value, as it earns ThankYou Points that can be transferred to American Airlines, up to $200 in Splurge Credit, and 4 annual Admirals Club passes. Additionally, the card provides broader worldwide lounge access through Priority Pass, bonus earnings on dining, and more statement credits for select purchases.

Travel Protections

Travel protections can provide reimbursement in the event of a covered loss during your travels.

Here are the travel protections on the Citi Strata Elite card and the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card:

Protection descriptions are abbreviated, and terms and conditions are not included. These details are provided in the guide to protection benefits that comes with each card.

Travel Benefits

Travel benefits can provide enhanced experiences, perks, and savings on your travel-related purchases.

Here are the travel benefits on the Citi Strata Elite card and the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card:

Worldwide Lounge Access

The Citi Strata Elite card comes with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which includes access to more than 1,500 lounge properties worldwide. Additionally, the card comes with 4 annual Admirals Club passes.

The AAdvantage Executive World Elite card includes an Admirals Club membership, which allows access to more than 50 lounges, including partner lounges worldwide.

Hotel Program Benefits

Citi Strata Elite Card

• $300 annual hotel credit: Use your card to book a hotel stay of 2 nights or more and receive up to $300 in credits.
• The Reserve by Citi Travel benefits: Book your stay through Citi Travel and enjoy daily breakfast for 2, complimentary Wi-Fi, a $100 experience that varies by property, early check-in, late checkout, and room upgrades, when available.

AAdvantage Executive World Elite Card

• Earn Loyalty Points toward elite status: When you book a hotel stay through AAdvantage Hotels, you earn miles on each purchase. Cardholders also receive significantly more bonus Loyalty Points than others. These Loyalty Points count toward American Airlines AAdvantage elite status.

Ride-Sharing, Car Rental Program, and Transit Benefits

As World Elite Mastercards, the Citi Strata Elite card and the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card offer car rental elite benefits and discounts.

Additionally, the cards offer these ride-sharing, car rental, and transit benefits.

Citi Strata Elite Card

• Up to $200 Blacklane credit: Receive up to $100 in credits from January through June and up to $100 from July through December for rides purchased through global chauffeur service Blacklane.

AAdvantage Executive World Elite Card

• Up to $120 in Lyft credits: Use your card as partial or complete payment, and after 3 monthly Lyft rides, you can receive a $10 monthly credit, up to $120 annually.
• Up to $120 for eligible Avis or Budget rentals: Book your rental directly through Avis or Budget, prepay with your card, and receive up to $120 in statement credits each year.

Shopping Protections

Shopping protections can provide economic reimbursement if a covered item you purchased with your card is damaged, lost, or stolen.

The Citi Strata Elite card comes with Purchase Assurance Plus (also known as purchase protection) and extended warranty coverage. The Citi AAdvantage World Elite card does not have this coverage.

Shopping Benefits

Shopping benefits can save you money. Here are the shopping benefits on the Citi Strata Elite card and the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card:

Citi Strata Elite Card

• Up to $200 annual Splurge Credit: Receive up to $200 in statement credits each year at your choice of 2 merchants, including 1stDibs, American Airlines, Best Buy, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation.
• Citi Merchant Offers: After logging in to your online card account, you can select merchant offers to add to your card. Make the required purchase and receive a statement credit.

AAdvantage Executive World Elite Card

• Up to $120 in GrubHub Credits: Make a GrubHub purchase using your card as payment and receive a $10 monthly credit, up to $120 annually.

Annual Fees and Authorized Users

It’s essential to be aware of any fees that you may incur when holding either of our featured cards to determine the net value you’ll receive.

The Citi Strata Elite card charges an annual fee of $595 and $75 annually to add each authorized user.

The AAdvantage Executive World Elite card charges an annual fee of $595, and $175 annual fee for up to 3 authorized users. There is an additional $175 annual fee for each authorized user beyond the first 3.

Hot Tip:

Cardholders of either the Citi Strata Elite card or the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card with a Citigold relationship are eligible to receive a $145 annual credit each year toward the annual fee of either card. Cardholders with a Citigold Private Client relationship receive a $595 credit in the first year and a $145 credit each subsequent year.

Final Thoughts

While both the Citi Strata Elite card and the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card have high annual fees, their Priority Pass Select and Admirals Club memberships, respectively, justify much of the cost. A Priority Pass membership can be $469 yearly, and an annual Admirals Club household membership costs over $1,500.

Both cards fall short in terms of overall earning potential, as neither card offers bonus earnings on everyday purchases except weekend dining on the Citi Strata Elite card.

That said, both cards can earn significant rewards if you’re willing to use Citi Travel or the American Airlines website for your purchases, as this is how the cards earn the most rewards.

The American Airlines flyer who wants to earn miles could still benefit from the Citi Strata Elite card, as points earned on the card transfer to the airline. If elite status is your goal, using the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card to earn Loyalty Points is the better choice.

If you travel with your family on American Airlines, having access to the Admirals Club for your entire immediate family is a huge benefit. For the annual fee, you and your whole immediate family have access to the lounges, enhanced airport benefits, a free checked bag, and more.