AAdvantage Executive World Elite Card – How To Use the $120 Avis/Budget Credit [2024]

If you’re a fan of American Airlines, you may have considered the Citi^®/AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®. This is the most premium American Airlines credit card on the market and the only one with Admirals Club access.

The card was refreshed with new benefits (and a higher annual fee) in July 2023, and one of these new perks is a $120 yearly credit for Avis or Budget car rentals.

In this post, we’ll look closer at this car rental credit to show you exactly how it works.

Let’s dive in.

Card Overview

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

U.P. Rating 

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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 spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

70,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$980

Annual Fee

$595

APR

21.24% - 29.99% 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 Citi^®/AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^® is a go-to card thanks to its exclusive perks and benefits for people who love to fly American Airlines. With a complimentary Admirals Club membership, free checked bags, inflight discounts, and the ability to earn Loyalty Points for every $1 you spend, there is plenty to love about the card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening
• Earn 10 miles per $1 spent on eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars
• Earn 10 miles per $1 spent on eligible hotels booked through aa.com/hotels

Cons

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

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Card Highlights

• Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after spending $7,000 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: 21.24% - 29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

There are numerous benefits to the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card that will make it worth it for many American Airlines flyers despite the hefty $595 annual fee. Let’s take a quick look at some of the card’s highlights before we dive into the Avis/Budget car rental credit.

Benefits of the AAdvantage Executive World Elite Card:

• Earn 10x miles on eligible car rentals through aa.com/cars
• Earn 10x miles on eligible hotels booked through aa.com/hotels
• Earn 4x miles on American Airlines purchases
• Earn 1x miles on all other purchases
• Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every dollar spent
• Complimentary Admirals Club membership
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• Up to $120 back on eligible Avis or Budget car rentals annually
• Up to $120 back on eligible Grubhub purchases annually (up to $10 in statement credits on each monthly billing statement)
• Up to $120 in Lyft credits ($10 credit each month after taking 3 eligible rides)
• 1 free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights for the cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation
• A 10,000 Loyalty Point boost after earning 50,000 Loyalty Points and another 10,000 Loyalty Point boost after earning 90,000 Loyalty Points

How To Use the Avis/Budget Car Rental Credit

The Avis/Budget car rental credit on the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card is straightforward and easy to use.

To qualify for the credit, you must make 1 or more purchases directly with a participating Avis and/or Budget location using your AAdvantage Executive World Elite card. A credit for the amount charged, up to $120 per calendar year, will appear on your statement within 8 to 10 weeks.

The credit applies to the rental cost, including time and mileage charges, taxes, and other fees.

Purchases made through third parties or as part of a package don’t qualify for this credit. This can include any of the following:

This credit also doesn’t work when renting cars through aa.com/cars; therefore, these purchases only earn 1 mile per dollar spent instead of 10 miles per dollar spent.

Rental Car Insurance

Remember that the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card comes with car rental insurance. When you pay for your rental with your card and decline the rental car company’s collision/damage insurance, you’ll be covered for up to $75,000 if the car is damaged or stolen. This coverage is secondary in the U.S. but primary outside the U.S.

Final Thoughts

The $120 Avis/Budget car rental credit on the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card is an easy-to-use perk that helps take the sting out of the card’s annual fee. Even travelers who only rent a car once or twice a year can use this credit easily. All you need to do is book a car rental directly through Avis or Budget and pay with your card. A credit for the purchase amount of up to $120 per calendar year will appear on your statement within 8 to 10 weeks.