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Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card issuers from which MillionMileSecrets.com receives compensation. Compensation does not impact the placement of cards on Million Mile Secrets other than in banner advertising. MillionMileSecrets.com does not include all credit card offers that might be available to consumers in the marketplace.
Editorial Note: We’re the Million Mile Secrets team. And we’re proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader’s comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! 🙂
Is It Better to Sign-Up for the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card or Pay for Admirals Club Membership?
October 4, 2015 By Joseph Hostetler
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Am I better off paying for American Airlines Admirals Club lounge membership and keeping an existing card like the Capital One Venture? Or adding another card like the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
My 2nd question is, if I have the membership and NOT the card can I still access the Admirals Club when I’m not flying American Airlines?
What’s Better? Paying for Admirals Club Membership or Signing-Up for the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card for Admirals Club Access?
An Admirals Club membership gives you access to American Airlines Admirals Club airport lounges. This is a great perk for those long days at the airport because you get:
A comfy place to sit
Free drinks & snacks at the lounge
Free Wi-Fi
Avoid the Hectic Airport Terminal in the American Airlines Admirals Club Lounges
You can get this benefit by paying for an Admirals Club membership, or by signing-up for the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card.
With both, you can get into Admirals Club airport lounges even when you aren’t flying on American Airlines or US Airways. And you can bring your immediate family or up to 2 guests with you for free!
Should You Sign-Up for the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card for Admirals Club Lounge Access?
A New 1-Year Admirals Club Membership Costs $500, but You Only Have to Pay the $450 Annual Fee on the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card to Get Access to the Lounge and Other Perks!Plus, you’ll also currently earn an increased sign-up bonus of 75,000 American Airlines miles with the Citi AAdvantage Executive card when you spend $7,500 on purchases within the 1st 3 months of opening your account.[THIS OFFER HAS EXPIRED]With 75,000 American Airlines Miles You Can Fly First Class to Europe and Spend Time Exploring the Colorful Seaside Villages of Cinque Terre, Italy. This Ticket Could Otherwise Cost You ~$8,000!
With all those added perks, it makes sense for Dave to sign-up for theCiti AAdvantage Executivecard to gain access to the Admirals Club lounges, instead of paying for a membership.
That said, if David’s spouse or partner is an authorized user on his card, she or he can NOT enter Admirals Club lounges on their own.If a couple each want Admirals Club membership for their solo travels, it could make more sense to purchase a household membership from American Airlines ($825 new, $775 renewal) instead of having 2 Citi AAdvantage Executive accounts ($450 annual fee X 2 = $900).
Bottom Line
The Citi AAdvantage Executive card is an excellent value for folks who want access to Admirals Club lounges. That’s because you’ll get entry into airport lounges, 75,000 American Airlines miles when you complete the minimum spending, and other card perks, all for a $450 annual fee.
That’s a lower price than what you’d pay for an Admirals Club membership directly through American Airlines and with more benefits!
Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,000 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide, eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on orders over $12 for a minimum of one year on qualifying food purchases with DashPass, DoorDash’s subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
Earn 5X points on Lyft rides through March 2022. That’s 3X points in addition to the 2X points you already earn on travel.
Intro APR on purchases
N/A
Regular APR
15.99%-22.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$95
Balance Transfer Fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)
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