Citi Strata Elite vs. AAdvantage Executive: Which Wins?

For years, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® was the best credit card for loyal American Airlines flyers. But now, the new Citi Strata Elite℠ Card — which allows you to transfer Citi ThankYou points to American Airlines at a 1:1 ratio — is changing the calculus.

Both of these premium cards have an annual fee of $595, but the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card offers more flexibility while the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® features stronger American Airlines loyalty benefits.

Here’s how to decide which is right for you.

Why you might pick the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is an excellent choice for someone who flies with American regularly, but isn’t interested in the golden handcuffs of airline elite status or unlimited access to American Airlines lounges.

Flexible rewards

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card holders aren’t limited to using their rewards on American Airlines flights. They can also redeem Citi ThankYou points to book travel through cititravel.com or transfer points to several different travel partners:

This card could be a good addition if you’re trying to collect points across multiple cards that share the same transfer partners. For example, if you often book Air France/KLM flights with Flying Blue points from other cards, adding this one could help you boost your points faster.

Higher rewards rate

Both premium cards have relatively narrow bonus categories, but the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card comes with higher rewards rates. The card earns:

• 12 points per $1 on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on cititravel.com.

• 6 points per $1 on air travel booked on cititravel.com. 

• 6 points per $1 at restaurants (including food delivery services on “Citi Nights”) on Fridays and Saturdays between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Eastern Time. Outside of this timeframe, you’ll earn 3 points per $1 in this category.

• 1.5 points per $1 on all other purchases. 

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® limits bonus rewards to purchases made with American Airlines or hotels or car rentals booked through American Airlines’ portals. Both of those bonus categories are still two points per dollar less than the equivalent rewards rates on the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card.

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card holders can also transfer Citi ThankYou points at a 1:1 ratio to American Airlines. That means they can conceivably earn more American miles per dollar than Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® holders.

Splurge credit

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card comes with some useful credits, including a fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry applications, a $300 annual hotel credit for two-night stays booked through cititravel.com and a $200 Splurge credit.

That Splurge credit reimburses you for purchases made from up to two merchants you choose from a select list. Options include the online luxury marketplace 1stDibs, American Airlines (including flights, but excluding some purchases such as car rentals or hotel reservations through American), Best Buy, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation. Exclusions apply. Activation required.

If you spend at least $200 per year with American Airlines, the Splurge Credit already offsets almost half of the annual fee.

Why you might pick the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

The ability to earn Loyalty Points

One of the biggest advantages of having an American Airlines-branded credit card is the ability to earn Loyalty Points, the points needed to earn American Airlines elite status. Cardholders will earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent on the card.

For big spenders, those Loyalty Points from the credit card spend can go a long way toward helping members earn elite status. The first level of American Airlines elite status, Gold, requires 40,000 Loyalty Points in a qualification year.

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® also offers a 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year and another 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points.

Unlimited Admirals Club lounge access

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® remains the only way to get unlimited Admirals Club lounge access. If you go to the Admirals Club more than four times a year, then this card is still your best ticket inside.

It’s also still the better option for bringing guests. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® also allows your immediate family or up to two guests traveling with the primary cardholder to enter Admirals Clubs.

Free checked bags and other perks

You might also prefer the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® if you want classic, airline-specific perks. These include free checked bags, priority boarding, and discounts on in-flight food and beverage purchases. The free checked bags and priority boarding aren’t important for AAdvantage members with elite status, but they do help make the experience for non-elites a little more convenient.

Which card is right for you?

Both the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® and the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card have strong potential for American Airlines flyers, but before making that final call, take a good look at your current spending and travel habits.

For frequent American flyers who simply want to earn a transferable currency that can turn into American miles, the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is probably the move. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is better for the most loyal American flyers.

Top photo courtesy of American Airlines.