AAdvantage Executive Fee Rises to $695

American Airlines, Citi and Mastercard announced on August 3, 2026 that the

Citi AAdvantage Executive Mastercard is getting a benefits refresh along with a

higher price. The annual fee goes to $695 effective August 23, 2026, up

from the $595 it has carried since the 2023 refresh. American says the

updated card carries up to $2,300 in stated value, and it is now branded on

Mastercard's World Legend tier. The enhanced card becomes available to new

cardmembers on August 23, 2026.

New credits

The largest addition is up to $500 a year back on eligible American

Airlines Vacations packages and experiences. A second new credit covers up to

$100 a year on inflight purchases and eligible Admirals Club purchases.

Increased benefits

Lyft credits rise to up to $180 a year, up from $120. The structure is

a $15 credit after three eligible rides in a calendar month.

Bookings through AAdvantage Hotels and AAdvantage Cars now earn 12X

AAdvantage miles, up from 10X.

The status track doubles. New milestones award 10,000 bonus Loyalty Points

at each of 50,000, 90,000, 165,000 and 240,000 Loyalty Points

in a qualification year, for up to 40,000 bonus Loyalty Points annually.

The previous cap was 20,000.

New partner status

Omni Hotels and Resorts Champion status, the chain's second highest tier,

comes automatically and includes early check-in, late check-out and room

upgrades subject to availability, plus one Free Night reward each year after a

qualifying stay of two or more consecutive nights.

Avis President's Club status is complimentary through August 31, 2028, and

covers car upgrades, expedited service and complimentary additional drivers.

The Mastercard World Legend tier adds priority reservations at top

international restaurants and premium ticketing for global music, theater and

sporting events, alongside Mastercard priceless experiences.

What carries over

Admirals Club membership stays included and is valued by American at up to

$1,400 a year. It covers unlimited visits for the primary cardmember plus

up to two guests or immediate family members at more than 100 Admirals Club

and partner lounges worldwide. Admirals Club membership rates are also being

updated on August 23, 2026.

Earning on everything else is unchanged: 4X miles on eligible American

Airlines purchases, rising to 5X for the rest of the calendar year once

spending passes $150,000, and 1X on all other purchases.

The existing credits continue: up to $120 a year on eligible prepaid Avis

and Budget rentals, and up to $120 every four years for Global Entry or TSA

PreCheck. So do the free first checked bag for the primary cardmember and up to

eight companions on domestic itineraries, priority check-in, airport screening

and boarding, and no foreign transaction fees.

Travel protections stay in place, including trip delay protection, trip

cancellation and interruption protection, worldwide car rental insurance and

lost baggage protection.

Fees and what is not stated

Authorized users remain $175 for up to three, then $175 for each

additional user. The release does not mention a welcome bonus, and it does not

list any benefit as being removed or reduced. Cardholders who renew on or after

August 23 will pay the new $695 fee.