AAdvantage World Legend Card – How To Use the $120 Avis/Budget Credit [2026]

If you’re a fan of American Airlines, you may have considered the Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Legend 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 August 2026, yet it kept one of its previous perks: 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 Legend 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.

All information about Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Legend Mastercard^® has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Legend 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 80,000 AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $8,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.

80,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,120

Annual Fee

$695

APR

19.74% to 29.74% 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 card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The AAdvantage Executive 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 12x 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

• $695 annual fee
• Doesn’t earn many miles on all other eligible purchases

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Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^®bonus miles after $8,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
• The only card with Admirals Club^® membership. Membership includes access for you and up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you.
• Global Entry^® or TSA PreCheck^® application fee credit of up to $120 every 4 years.
• Earn a 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 50,000, 90,000, 165,000 and 240,000 Loyalty Points in the same status qualification year.
• 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: 19.74% to 29.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 

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American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

There are numerous benefits to the AAdvantage Executive card that will make it worth it for many American Airlines flyers despite the hefty $695 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 card:

• Earn 12x miles on eligible car rentals through aa.com/cars
• Earn 12x 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 $180 in Lyft credits ($15 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 bonus after earning 50,000, 90,000, 165,000, and 240,000 Loyalty Points, for a total of up to 40,000 each status qualification year
• Up to $500 back for eligible American Airlines Vacations purchases annually
• Up to $100 back for inflight and eligible Admirals Club purchases annually
• $200 in dining credits annually with inKind ($100 to use from January to June and $100 to use from July to December)
• Complimentary Omni Hotels & Resorts Champion status and earn 1 free night award per year after a qualifying stay of 2 nights or more
• Complimentary Avis President’s Club status (enroll by August 31, 2028)

How To Use the Avis/Budget Car Rental Credit

The Avis/Budget car rental credit on the AAdvantage Executive 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 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 12 miles per dollar spent.

Rental Car Insurance

Remember that the AAdvantage Executive 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 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.