The American Airlines Executive MasterCard is a rewards credit card designed for frequent fliers who routinely choose American Airlines for their airline travel needs. This card currently offers a hefty signup bonus to new members who qualify. There is no introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers available with this card at this time. It comes with an annual fee of $450 which is not waived. The American Airlines Executive MasterCard is issued by Citibank.
For a limited time, new members have the opportunity to earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles upon approval. To receive the Welcome bonus you must spend at least $7,500 in net purchases within the first three months that your account is open. Net purchases are the total amount of transactions minus any credits and/or returns. Balance transfers, cash advances, fees (including an annual fee), convenience checks, and interest charges do not count as purchases. After the spending requirements have been met, the AAdvantage bonus miles will appear in your AAdvantage account within 8-10 weeks. Note: The American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles offer is not available to current cardholders or anyone who has opened or closed an American Airlines Executive MasterCard account in the past 18 months.
The annual percentage rate for purchases is 15.24% (variable based on the Prime Rate). This same APR is also applied to balance transfers which are completed within two months from the date your account is opened. Additionally, a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the total amount of the transfer (whichever is greater) will be charged for each transfer completed.
Members earn AAdvantage miles at the following rates:
- 2X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines and US Airways purchases
- 1X mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
The following transactions do not earn AAdvantage miles:
- Balance transfers
- Fees (including annual fee)
- Interest charges
- Cash Advances
- Convenience checks
AAdvantage miles can be redeemed for awards on both domestic and international flights. There are no blackout dates when miles are used for flights operated by American Airlines or US Airways. Note: Seats for award travel are limited and may not be available on all flights.
To appreciate the value of the 75,000 AAdvantage bonus miles currently being offered to new members, these bonus miles can be redeemed for three (3) round trip Main Cabin Continental U.S./Canada MileSAAver awards. Miles can also be redeemed for:
- Flights to nearly 1,000 worldwide destinations
- Upgrades
- Vacation packages, car rentals, and hotels
There is no cap on the amount of AAdvantage miles you may earn.
American Airlines is headquartered at Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW) and also maintains the following hubs in the U.S.:
- Chicago (ORD)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Miami (MIA)
- New York (JFK)
The oneworld alliance includes these airlines:
| American Airlines | airberlin | British Airways |
| Cathay Pacific | Finnair | Iberia |
| Japan Airlines | LAN Airlines | Malaysia Airlines |
| Qantas | Qatar | Royal Jordanian |
| S7 Airlines | SriLankan Airlines | TAM |
Card members can earn and redeem AAdvantage miles on all oneworld alliance airlines. Note: Award travel may be subject to travel embargo (blackout) dates on some AAdvantage program participating airlines.
When you use the American Airlines Executive MasterCard on any flight operated by American Airlines or US Airways, you receive a 25% savings on in-flight food, beverages, and headset purchases. These savings will appear as a statement credit approximately 6-8 weeks after any transactions post to your credit card account. Conditions and restrictions apply.
Members can participate in the Reduced Mileage Awards program which allows you to redeem American Airlines AAdvantage miles for round trip or one-way travel on MileSAAver awards to destinations selected every other month. The MileSSAver discount to American Airlines Executive MasterCard account holders is 3,750 AAdvantage miles for a one-way ticket or 7,500 AAdvantage miles for a round-trip fare.
Important: Redemption of Reduced Mileage Awards applies only to bookings made by phone through American Airlines Reservations or through city or airport ticket centers. There is a $20 award service charge (per person) for award reservations made at an American Airlines Travel Center. There is a $35 award service charge (per person) for award reservations made by an American Airline airport Agent. This payment does not apply to AAdvantage Executive Platinum members and AAirpass customers. Please note that flights and availability are subject to change.
Members enjoy Admirals Club membership. To access the Admirals Club lounge, you (as the primary cardholder) must present your American Airlines Executive MasterCard, your AAdvantage membership number, and a current government-issued I.D. The primary cardholder may bring as guest (s) immediate family (spouse, domestic partner, and or children under 18 years of age) or up to two traveling guests. Authorized users are not entitled to Admirals Club access unless traveling with the primary cardholder.
Card members also receive the Enhanced Airport Experience. For this benefit to apply, your credit card account must be open seven days prior to air travel and your reservation must include your American Airlines AAdvantage membership number (also seven days prior to air travel). Members enjoy the following benefits:
- Priority check-in (where available)
- Priority airport screening (where available)
- Priority boarding (when traveling on domestic flights operated by American Airlines or US Airways
Up to eight (8) traveling companions may also enjoy these benefits (when listed on the same reservation as the primary cardholder).
Cardholders get their first checked bag free. To receive this benefit, your American Airlines Executive MasterCard account must be open and in good standing at least seven days prior to air travel. The flight reservation must also include your American Airlines AAdvantage number. This benefit is available on domestic flights marketed by American Airlines or US Airways. Codeshare flights do not qualify. Up to four traveling companions listed on your itinerary can get their first checked bag free. Baggage weight and size restrictions apply.
Card members will earn 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) after spending $40,000 in net purchases that post to your account on your January through December billing statements. Purchases made by any authorized users will count towards the spending threshold.
Citibank now offers cardholders one statement credit per account, every five years, for up to $100 for either the Global Entry or the TSA PreCheck application fee. You must charge the appropriate application fee ($85 minimum) to your American Airlines Executive MasterCard to be eligible for the statement credit.
This card comes with additional benefits from Citibank such as:
- Travel and Emergency Assistance – Services are available 24/7 for emergency travel arrangements, travel issues, medical and legal referrals and more.
- 0% Liability on Unauthorized Charges – You are not responsible for any charges that you did not authorize including purchases made online.
- Personal Concierge Service – A Concierge Service Representative can book flights and make hotel reservations as well as get you a table at your favorite restaurant. This service is offered 24/7.
- Lost Baggage Protection – You are covered for up to $3,000 per person, per trip if items are lost, stolen, or damaged by the common carrier on any trip paid for with your card. (Note: New York residents are limited to $2,000 per person, per bag, per trip.)
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection – If unforeseen events affect your travel plans, you may be reimbursed for non-refundable expenses like change fees. Restrictions and limitations may apply. Benefits are capped at $5,000 per year. Your trip must have been paid for with your card.
The American Airlines Executive MasterCard comes with smart-chip technology for enhanced security.
Members are not charged foreign transaction fees when using this card to make purchases while traveling abroad.
This card comes with an annual fee of $450 which is not waived.
The Facts
Below we have broken down the specific details of the American Airlines Executive MasterCard to help you determine if it’s the right card for you.
The Good:
Signup bonus:
For a limited time, new members have the opportunity to earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles upon approval. To receive the Welcome bonus you must spend at least $7,500 in net purchases within the first three months that your account is open. Net purchases are the total amount of transactions minus any credits and/or returns. Balance transfers, cash advances, fees (including an annual fee), convenience checks, and interest charges do not count as purchases. After the spending requirements have been met, the AAdvantage bonus miles will appear in your AAdvantage account within 8-10 weeks. Note: The American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles offer is not available to current cardholders or anyone who has opened or closed an American Airlines Executive MasterCard account in the past 18 months.
The 75,000 AAdvantage bonus miles currently being offered to new members can be redeemed for three (3) round trip Main Cabin Continental U.S./Canada MileSAAver awards making this a very generous Welcome bonus.
Simple rewards program:
Members earn AAdvantage miles at the following rates:
- 2X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines and US Airways purchases
- 1X mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
Easy to redeem miles:
Miles can also be redeemed for:
- Flights to nearly 1,000 worldwide destinations
- Upgrades
- Vacation packages, car rentals, and hotels
AAdvantage miles can be redeemed for awards on both domestic and international flights. There are no blackout dates when miles are used for flights operated by American Airlines or US Airways. Note: Seats for award travel are limited and may not be available on all flights.
No cap on miles:
There is no cap on the amount of AAdvantage miles you may earn.
Admirals Club access:
Members enjoy Admirals Club membership. To access the Admirals Club lounge, you (as the primary cardholder) must present your American Airlines Executive MasterCard, your AAdvantage membership number, and a current government-issued I.D. The primary cardholder may bring as guest (s) immediate family (spouse, domestic partner, and or children under 18 years of age) or up to two traveling guests. Authorized users are not entitled to Admirals Club access unless traveling with the primary cardholder.
The Enhanced Airport Experience:
To be eligible for this benefit, your credit card account must be open seven days prior to air travel and your reservation must include your American Airlines AAdvantage membership number (also seven days prior to air travel). Members enjoy the following benefits:
- Priority check-in (where available)
- Priority airport screening (where available)
- Priority boarding (when traveling on domestic flights operated by American Airlines or US Airways
Discount on In-flight Services:
When you use the American Airlines Executive MasterCard on any flight operated by American Airlines or US Airways, you receive a 25% savings on in-flight food, beverages, and headset purchases. These savings will appear as a statement credit approximately 6-8 weeks after any transactions post to your credit card account. Conditions and restrictions apply.
Reduced Mileage Awards:
Members can participate in the Reduced Mileage Awards program which allows you to redeem American Airlines AAdvantage miles for round trip or one-way travel on MileSAAver awards to destinations selected every other month. The MileSSAver discount to American Airlines Executive MasterCard account holders is 3,750 AAdvantage miles for a one-way ticket or 7,500 AAdvantage miles for a round-trip fare.
Statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck:
Citibank now offers cardholders one statement credit per account, every five years, for up to $100 for either the Global Entry or the TSA PreCheck application fee. You must charge the appropriate application fee ($85 minimum) to your American Airlines Executive MasterCard to be eligible for this credit.
10,000 EQMs:
Card members will earn 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) after spending $40,000 in net purchases that post to your account on your January through December billing statements. Purchases made by any authorized users will count towards the spending threshold.
First Checked Bag Free:
Cardholders get their first checked bag free. To qualify, your credit card account must be open and in good standing at least seven days prior to air travel. The flight reservation must also include your American Airlines AAdvantage number. This benefit is available on domestic flights marketed by American Airlines or US Airways. Codeshare flights do not qualify. Up to four traveling companions listed on your itinerary can get their first checked bag free. Baggage weight and size restrictions apply.
Citibank benefits:
- Travel and Emergency Assistance
- 0% Liability on Unauthorized Charges
- Personal Concierge Service
- Lost Baggage Protection
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection
Smart- Chip Technology:
This card comes with Smart-Chip technology for greater security especially when traveling overseas.
No foreign transaction fees:
There are no foreign transaction fees associated with this card.
The Bad:
No introductory APR:
This card does not currently offer an introductory APR to new account holders on either purchases or balance transfers.
Annual fee:
There is an annual fee of $450 for this card.
The Ugly:
High Spending Thresholds:
The signup bonus of 75,000 AAdvantage miles is definitely generous but you have to spend at least $7,500 in the first three months that you have the card to qualify. Also, to earn the 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles each year you must spend a minimum of $40,000 annually.
Service charges for Reduced Mileage Awards:
There is a $20 award service charge (per person) for award reservations made at an American Airlines Travel Center. There is a $35 award service charge (per person) for award reservations made by an American Airline airport Agent. These fees are fairly annoying for a card that charges an annual fee of $450.
The American Airlines Executive MasterCard is designed for frequent fliers who routinely choose American Airlines for their travel (and spend a lot along the way). The card does offer a generous signup bonus (75,000 miles) to new members who qualify which can be redeemed for three round-trip domestic main class cabin awards.. It also gives members a decent rewards program with purchases from American Airlines and US Airways earning double miles. Where this card really shines is with travel-related benefits such as priority boarding, priority check-in, first checked bag free benefit, a statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check application fee, and access to the Admirals Club lounge. For American Airlines frequent fliers, this card definitely delivers.