11 Reasons You Need the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

There is a lot to love about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. With a desirable welcome bonus and extra perks for American Airlines loyalists, it’s no wonder so many people find this card is worth its $595 annual fee.

But there are also some lesser-known benefits why this card is a great choice. Here are some reasons why you need a Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.

Why get the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®?

Some of the best Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® benefits include:

1. Sizeable welcome offer

Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

2. Loyalists are rewarded

Earn 4 miles for every $1 spent on American Airlines purchases. The card also earns 1 Loyalty Point per 1 eligible mile purchase — the only metric that matters for earning elite status in the airline loyalty program.

» Learn more: American Airlines Loyalty Points aren't as easy to earn as you might think

3. No foreign transaction fees

Take this card with you on your next trip abroad and enjoy savings of up to 3% per transaction.

4. Credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee every four years

If you, too, love breezing through airport security, then this perk will come in handy. Get the cost of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership reimbursed once every four years.

» Learn more: How to get TSA PreCheck for free

5. Admirals Club lounge membership

Live the lux lounge life. Admirals Club membership is complimentary for you and includes access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you.

You can view Admirals Club locations here.

6. Priority boarding and priority check-in

American's boarding process is notoriously lengthy, with no fewer than 9 boarding groups. Cardholders get at least Group 4 boarding (the last group of priority boarding).

» Learn more: How you can upgrade your AA boarding group

7. Concierge services

Another underrated benefit of this card is the included concierge service. You can use this concierge service to handle travel, dining, shopping and entertainment purchases.

8. Priority airport screening

When you fly American, you can take advantage of priority airport screening where available. This perk extends to up to eight traveling companions if they’re on the same reservation.

9. Free first checked bag for you and up to eight guests

If you like to check a bag when you travel, this benefit will come in handy. You and up to eight companions can get a free first checked bag when flying domestically. Your travel companions must be on the same reservation to use this perk. The first checked bag fee on a domestic flight costs $30 one way, $60 round trip. Using this card perk can result in significant savings.

10. 25% discount on in-flight purchases

If you’re already loyal to American Airlines and you typically make in-flight purchases when traveling, this is a great card to consider. You’ll get a 25% discount on in-flight food and drink purchases on American flights, but the discount doesn't extend to Wi-Fi purchases. Your discount will come in the form of a statement credit eight to 10 weeks after the transaction.

11. Additional Loyalty Points

When you earn 50,000 Loyalty Points in a qualifying year, you'll get an additional 10,000 as a bonus. You can earn another 10,000 bonus Loyalty Points after earning 90,000 Loyalty Points in a qualifying year. That can help you work your way up in elite status membership tiers to take advantage of extra perks when flying with American Airlines.

The bottom line

When considering the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, keep in mind all the underrated benefits. If you live near an American Airlines hub and fly often, it may make sense for you to apply for this premium card even with its high annual fee.