What the American Airlines Executive Credit Card is and who it's for
The American Airlines Executive Credit Card is a premium rewards card issued by Citi that earns points on every purchase and gives you benefits tied to American Airlines travel. You pay an annual fee — currently $450 — to hold it. The card is designed for people who fly American Airlines regularly and want lounge access, priority boarding, and extra points on airline and dining purchases.
This is not a card for occasional flyers. The annual fee means you need to use the benefits enough that they offset the cost. If you fly American fewer than two or three times a year, or if you don't value lounge access, a no-fee American Airlines card or a different rewards card may make more sense.
The card comes with a Admirals Club membership, which gives you access to American Airlines lounges when you travel. You also get priority boarding, checked bag fee waivers for you and a companion, and bonus points on your anniversary with the card each year.
Key Takeaways
- The annual fee is $450, and you receive 10,000 bonus points on your anniversary each year, which offsets part of that cost.
- You earn 3 points per dollar on American Airlines purchases and dining, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
- Admirals Club membership is included, giving you lounge access, priority boarding, and a free checked bag for you and one companion on American flights.
- The card requires good to excellent credit, and Citi will pull your credit report when you request it.
- Points can be redeemed for American Airlines flights, seat upgrades, or transferred to partner airlines, though airline redemptions often cost more points than booking with cash and points combined.
How points and rewards work on this card
You earn 3 points per dollar when you charge American Airlines tickets, seat upgrades, and baggage fees directly to the card. You also earn 3 points per dollar at restaurants and on may be able to access dining purchases. Everything else earns 1 point per dollar.
On your card anniversary each year, you receive 10,000 bonus points automatically. This is not a one-time welcome bonus — it happens every year you hold the card. At typical redemption rates, 10,000 points is worth roughly $100 to $150 in travel value, which covers a meaningful portion of the $450 annual fee.
Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the card, you lose any points you have not yet redeemed. Points can be used to book American Airlines flights, pay for seat upgrades, cover baggage fees, or transferred to American's partner airlines like British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and others.
One important note: redeeming points for flights often costs more points than the cash price of the ticket would suggest. For example, a $300 flight might cost 30,000 points, but you could buy it with cash and points for fewer total points. Always compare the points cost to the cash price before you redeem.
Admirals Club membership and travel benefits
The card includes a complimentary Admirals Club membership for you as the primary cardholder. This membership lasts as long as you hold the card and pay the annual fee. Admirals Club lounges are located in most major American Airlines hubs and offer free food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and a quiet place to work or rest before your flight.
You get priority boarding on all American Airlines flights when you use this card to purchase your ticket. This means you board before most other passengers and can stow your carry-on bag in the overhead bin rather than checking it at the gate.
The card waives the first checked bag fee for you and one companion on the same reservation when you pay with the card. This benefit applies to American Airlines flights only. Additional bags and companions still incur standard baggage fees.
You also receive a $100 statement credit every four years toward American Airlines purchases — seat upgrades, baggage fees, or ticket changes. This credit is automatic and does not require you to request it; it straightforward appears on your statement.
Annual fee, welcome bonus, and ongoing costs
The annual fee is $450, charged to your account each year on your card anniversary. There is no introductory period where the fee is waived — you pay it in full the first year.
Citi does not advertise a separate welcome bonus for new cardholders beyond the 10,000 anniversary points you receive each year. Some promotions may offer additional points for meeting spending thresholds in your first few months, but these vary and are not may provide. Check Citi's current offer before you request the card.
There are no foreign transaction fees, so you can use the card internationally without extra charges. There is no penalty for paying off your balance in full each month — rewards cards do not charge interest if you pay what you owe by the due date.
Credit requirements and how to request the card
Citi typically requires good to excellent credit to be approved for this card. This usually means a credit score of 700 or higher, though Citi does not publish a minimum score. If your score is below 700, your request may be denied or you may receive a lower credit limit.
You can request the card directly through Citi's website or through American Airlines' website. Both routes lead to the same process. You will need to provide your Social Security number, income, employment status, and current address. Citi will pull your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.
Citi typically makes a decision within minutes to a few days. If you are approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you are denied, Citi will send you a letter explaining why and telling you how to dispute the decision if you believe there was an error.
Comparing this card to other American Airlines options
American Airlines offers two other rewards cards through Citi: the AAdvantage Platinum Select (no annual fee) and the AAdvantage Gold ($99 annual fee). The Platinum Select earns fewer points and has no lounge access. The Gold earns the same points rates as the Executive but costs $99 per year instead of $450 and does not include Admirals Club membership.
If you fly American Airlines occasionally but do not value lounge access, the Gold card may be a better fit. If you rarely fly American, the Platinum Select or a general rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred may earn more value across all your spending.
The Executive card makes sense if you fly American Airlines at least several times per year, value lounge access on those flights, and spend enough on dining to earn the 3x points bonus. The 10,000 anniversary points and checked bag waiver help offset the $450 fee, but only if you actually use them.
How to use points and when redemptions make sense
Points are most valuable when you redeem them for flights during peak travel times or on routes where cash prices are high. A flight that costs $500 in cash might be worth 50,000 points, which works out to 1 cent per point — a reasonable redemption. The same flight during off-peak times might cost $200 in cash but still require 50,000 points, making the points worth only 0.4 cents each.
You can also use points to pay for seat upgrades, baggage fees, or changes to existing reservations. These redemptions are usually less valuable than booking flights outright. Transferring points to partner airlines can sometimes offer better value, but it requires research into partner award availability and pricing.
Many cardholders find that redeeming points for flights booked during sales or off-peak travel offers the best value. Holding points until you find a high-value redemption opportunity often beats using them when ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the $450 annual fee get waived if I don't use the card?
No. The annual fee is charged automatically each year on your card anniversary, regardless of whether you use the card. If you decide the card is not worth the cost, you must close the account to stop paying the fee. Any points you have not redeemed will be lost when you close the account.
Can I use the Admirals Club lounge if I'm traveling with family?
The membership covers you as the primary cardholder. when ready family members and up to two guests can accompany you into the lounge at no extra cost. Children and spouses are typically considered when ready family. Additional guests beyond two may be charged a day-pass fee.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Any points in your account are forfeited when you close the card. You cannot transfer them to another person or keep them in a separate account. If you think you might close the card, redeem your points before you do.
Is the $100 statement credit automatic, or do I have to request it?
The credit is automatic and appears on your statement every four years. You do not need to request it or meet any spending threshold. It can only be used for American Airlines purchases — tickets, upgrades, baggage fees, or seat changes.
Can I earn points on flights I book with someone else's money?
You earn points only on purchases you charge to your card. If someone else pays for your ticket with cash or their own card, you earn no points. You must be the one charging the ticket to your American Airlines Executive card to earn the 3x points bonus.