Citi AA Executive card [w/ Admirals Club membership] - any unique value left?
Apr 11, 2015, 7:05 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: CA
Programs: AAdvantage ExecPlat (LT Plat 2.1 MM),United S, SPG P, Marriott P, Hyatt Diamond *-)-
Posts: 213
Citi AA Executive card [w/ Admirals Club membership] - any unique value left?
I've had the card for about 4 years now; originally got it for the 1 year grace period for spend to count toward MM status. Ended up keeping it to access the AC (as it once was the only card giving access).
Then, when the Citi Prestige came out, decided to keep the Exec card for the EQM awarded after spending a certain amount.
However, now that Barclaycard's US Airways Silver card will also give EQM for credit card spend, what's the value anymore in the Exec card? Am I missing something? Will Citi sweeten the benefits to prevent Barclaycard defections?
Thought I'd run it by folks here before I cancel the Exec, get the Prestige card, and wait until the Barclaycard Silver starts taking apps.
Then, when the Citi Prestige came out, decided to keep the Exec card for the EQM awarded after spending a certain amount.
However, now that Barclaycard's US Airways Silver card will also give EQM for credit card spend, what's the value anymore in the Exec card? Am I missing something? Will Citi sweeten the benefits to prevent Barclaycard defections?
Thought I'd run it by folks here before I cancel the Exec, get the Prestige card, and wait until the Barclaycard Silver starts taking apps.
Apr 11, 2015, 8:34 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: AA EXPLT, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), HHonors Gold, AMEX PLT, UA Silver, National EXC
Posts: 1,059
I've had the card for about 4 years now; originally got it for the 1 year grace period for spend to count toward MM status. Ended up keeping it to access the AC (as it once was the only card giving access).
Then, when the Citi Prestige came out, decided to keep the Exec card for the EQM awarded after spending a certain amount.
However, now that Barclaycard's US Airways Silver card will also give EQM for credit card spend, what's the value anymore in the Exec card? Am I missing something? Will Citi sweeten the benefits to prevent Barclaycard defections?
Thought I'd run it by folks here before I cancel the Exec, get the Prestige card, and wait until the Barclaycard Silver starts taking apps.
Then, when the Citi Prestige came out, decided to keep the Exec card for the EQM awarded after spending a certain amount.
However, now that Barclaycard's US Airways Silver card will also give EQM for credit card spend, what's the value anymore in the Exec card? Am I missing something? Will Citi sweeten the benefits to prevent Barclaycard defections?
Thought I'd run it by folks here before I cancel the Exec, get the Prestige card, and wait until the Barclaycard Silver starts taking apps.
Apr 12, 2015, 8:20 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: CLT
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, DL UA
Posts: 457
The Silver Aviator allows you to earn 5,000 elite miles for each $20,000 spent on the card each year, up to twice per year. Even though this equates to the same as the Citi Exec in total, if you only spend $39,000 on the Silver Aviator, you at least get 5,000 elite miles. On Citi, $39,000 gets you nothing.
However, with the Silver Aviator, you don't get access to the club and you don't get first/business class check-in when traveling in economy - unless you have elite status.
However, with the Silver Aviator, you don't get access to the club and you don't get first/business class check-in when traveling in economy - unless you have elite status.
Apr 12, 2015, 4:25 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
Programs: AA PLT Pro 2MM, DL Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Ambassador + LT Plat, COFC Venture X, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 5,587
I called on Thursday and they gave me a $250 statement credit right off the bat. To me it's not worth the trouble of applying for the Prestige card and the need to carry it and present my BP when entering the lounge. Also, you don't get access when on OAL itineraries if they happen to be in the same concourse as AA/US if you have the Prestige.
Apr 12, 2015, 5:54 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 1,141
Apart from Prestige's Admirals Club "access" when traveling on AA that day versus the Exec's full membership, as others have noted above, the Exec also gives you roughly half the benefits of Gold status -- e.g., the so-called "enhanced airport experience.
That's not relevant for me since I am, in fact, Gold. So I've gotten the Prestige and plan to kill the Exec.
And you made me look up what OAL meant. Incidentally, the BP pull at check-in is hit-or-miss according to Flyer Talk reports.
That's not relevant for me since I am, in fact, Gold. So I've gotten the Prestige and plan to kill the Exec.
And you made me look up what OAL meant. Incidentally, the BP pull at check-in is hit-or-miss according to Flyer Talk reports.
Apr 12, 2015, 6:14 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 104
yeah, i'm thinking about cancelling as well. it just doesn't make sense for me anymore. i qualify on points, not miles, so the 10,000 eqm is useless. i would never use the club when not traveling and 95% of my travel is on AA/US, so the only time it would come in handy would be when travelling on another airlines, with no club access available for that other airline, and where an AA club happens to be in the same terminal (not sure all three conditions have ever been met for me).
Apr 13, 2015, 1:15 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: AA EXPLT, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), HHonors Gold, AMEX PLT, UA Silver, National EXC
Posts: 1,059
Apr 13, 2015, 8:51 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
Programs: AA PLT Pro 2MM, DL Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Ambassador + LT Plat, COFC Venture X, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 5,587
I spent approximately $30k on the card in the past year. I explained that absent the 100k bonus miles and $200 statement credit last year I didn't see the value of keeping the card since many of the benefits the card provides (except AC access) are available to me for traveling extensively on AA. I also have my primary banking relationship with Citi that may have something to do with it.
Apr 13, 2015, 8:58 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 1,141
I'm in the same boat at AAerSTL: I fly AA/US almost exclusively, my banking relationship is with Citi, and I'm already an AA elite; therefore, the Prestige makes sense. Last year, cancelling my long-time Admirals Club membership in favor of the Exec with its 100,000 miles and $200 rebate made the most sense.
The synergy of the 1.6x thing for AA ticket purchases, the 25% points bonus (for my banking) and the Admirals Club access is pretty good.
The synergy of the 1.6x thing for AA ticket purchases, the 25% points bonus (for my banking) and the Admirals Club access is pretty good.
Apr 13, 2015, 9:49 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: BOS, LAX
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 804
Keep in mind that at the moment Barclays doesn't upgrade Aviator Red card (the one you get if you had US Airways MasterCard) to Aviator Silver. Maybe in July. Maybe.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...-elite-mc.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...-elite-mc.html