Now Live: Major New Benefits for the AAdvantage Executive World Elite Card

Citi and American Airlines have introduced some new benefits on the Citi^®/AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®, as well as some annual fee increases. These new benefits went into effect on July 23, 2023, impacting all new and existing cardholders.

Let’s dive into the details.

AAdvantage Executive World Elite Card Changes

There are a variety of new benefits coming to the card, some in the form of statement credits, and others in the form of insurance protections. Here is how American Airlines lists these changes:

New Statement Credits

• Up to $120 back on eligible Avis or Budget car rentals every calendar year. This appears to be an unrestricted credit, and you can use it in one time at either of those rental agencies.
• Up to $120 back on eligible Grubhub purchases (up to $10 statement credit on each monthly billing statement). Unfortunately, this credit only triggers $10 every month, so you’ll need to remember to use it every month.
• Up to $120 in Lyft credits ($10 credit each month after taking 3 eligible rides). You’ll need to take 3 Lyft rides to receive a $10 credit will be offered every month.

Increased Earning on American Airlines

• You’ll earn 4x AAdvantage miles on all eligible American Airlines purchases, and once you surpass $150,000 in spending on the card a year, you’ll earn 5x AAdvantage miles per dollar for the remainder of the year.
• If you book through American Airlines Rental Cars or American Airlines Hotels, you’ll earn 10x AAdvantage miles per dollar spent.
• After you reach 50,000 Loyalty Points in a year, you’ll get a 10,000 Loyalty Point boost. If you reach 90,000 Loyalty Points, you’ll get another 10,000 Loyalty Points. What isn’t clear is whether earning these Loyalty Points is based on general earning, such as flying American Airlines, or whether it must be earned via the credit card.

New Travel Insurance Protections

We don’t know the details of each coverage just yet, as each protection will come with a coverage limit:

• Trip cancellation and interruption protection
• Trip delay protection
• Lost baggage protection
• Worldwide car rental insurance, though it is not clear whether this is primary or secondary insurance as there is a major difference between the 2

Increased Annual Fee and Authorized User Fee

Prior to July 23, 2023, the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card had a $450 annual fee. As of July 23, 2023, the annual fee of this card increases to $595 a year.

Plus, authorized users, who also get Admirals Club access, will need to pay $175 per year starting July 23, 2023. This is a substantial change, as the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card was previously one of the best travel cards for authorized users. Prior to July 23, 2023, cardholders could add up to 10 authorized users for no additional charge.

In exchange for the higher fees, American Airlines is promising better and more substantial food offerings, to debut in select Admirals Clubs at the end of this month.

Final Thoughts

While it’s disappointing to see the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card‘s annual fee increase, there are several new additions to American’s most premium card that may make it worthwhile, including rideshare credits, rental car credits, and insurance protections.