American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
vs. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® and the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card are excellent choices for frequent American Airlines travelers. However, the AA Executive World Elite is the better card due to its extensive perks like Admirals Club® membership and 4X miles on AA purchases.

The AA MileUp card remains a solid option for those seeking rewards on groceries and no annual fee.

Both cards cater to different travel needs, with the Executive World Elite offering more value for frequent American Airlines flyers.

The AA MileUp card is better for those who occasionally fly with American Airlines and want to earn miles without paying an annual fee. It suits users who want to earn rewards on everyday purchases like groceries. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking extensive travel perks like lounge access or free checked bags, as these features are not included.

The AA Executive World Elite is likely to be better for frequent American Airlines travelers who value premium perks. It enhances the travel experience significantly, with benefits like Admirals Club® membership and priority boarding. However, the high annual fee may not suit those who don't travel often or can't fully utilize these perks.

A point-by-point comparison of APRs, fees, rewards and other features helps you decide which card best meets your needs. For example, if you frequently shop for groceries, the AA MileUp offers 2X miles, making it a better choice for grocery rewards.

Compared to the AA MileUp, the AA Executive World Elite card offers a higher rewards rate for American Airlines purchases, making it more appealing for frequent flyers. However, the AA MileUp card provides a better rate for grocery spending, which may benefit those with significant grocery expenses.

Both cards earn AAdvantage miles, valued at approximately 1.6 cents each. They can be redeemed for flights, upgrades and more, making them valuable for those who frequently travel with American Airlines.

The table below details the specific rewards categories for each card, allowing you to assess which card aligns best with your spending habits.

The AA MileUp card allows you to redeem miles for flights, upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays or vacation packages without expiration, provided your account remains active. The AA Executive World Elite card offers similar redemption options, but miles expire if there's no earning or redemption activity within 18 months. This makes the AA MileUp card more forgiving for infrequent travelers.

The AA Executive World Elite card offers superior benefits, particularly for frequent travelers, such as Admirals Club® membership and free checked bags. The AA MileUp card focuses on everyday savings with inflight discounts and loyalty points, appealing to budget-conscious users. Both cards offer inflight savings, but the AA Executive World Elite card adds Global Entry credit and enhanced airport experience.

Status

• Earn one loyalty point for every eligible mile spent

Credits & Discounts

• 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights

All Other Perks

• No limit to the number of AAdvantage® miles you can earn

Travel Perks

• Primary cardmembers can enjoy access to Admirals Club® lounges worldwide, offering complimentary drinks, snacks and Wi-Fi
• First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for the primary cardmember and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation
• Priority check-in, screening and boarding when flying with American Airlines

Status

• Earn one loyalty point for every one eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
• Earn a 10,000 loyalty point bonus after reaching 50,000 loyalty points in a status qualification year
• Earn another 10,000 loyalty point bonus after reaching 90,000 loyalty points in the same status qualification year

Insurance & Protections

• Help protect your next trip with Trip Cancellation & Interruption Protection, Trip Delay Protection, Lost Baggage Protection and Worldwide Car Rental Insurance Coverage

Credits & Discounts

• Receive a statement credit (up to $100 every four years) as reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee
• 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights

All Other Perks

• Enjoy access to a staff of experts for help with foreign and domestic travel, shopping, dining, household and entertainment needs

MoneyGeek's scoring process evaluates each card based on multiple use cases, ensuring the scores reflect the cards' strengths. In this comparison, the scores shown represent the best performance of each card in the "Airline" category. Several factors determine this score:

• Expected value for travelers: Measures the monetary value of rewards and perks minus the annual fees for frequent travelers.
• Airline scope: Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to, which helps inform the breadth of travel options for the airline program.
• Introductory offer ROI value: Assesses the return on investment (ROI) from the card's sign-up bonus.
• Airline rewards rate for travelers: Evaluates the rewards earned on airline expenditures for frequent travelers.
• Issuer satisfaction: Based on customer satisfaction ratings from studies like J.D. Power.
• Foreign transaction fees: Rates the card's fees for international transactions.
• Recommended credit: Indicates the credit score range required for approval.

For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.