The cheapest way for many people to get access to American Airlines clubs is with the premium Citibank co-brand AAdvantage Executive card. It has a $450 annual fee and comes with membership. What’s more, additional cardholders have no fee and can use the card for entry including inviting two guests. You can get 10 additional cards, so with a total of 11 cards that’s 33 total admits.
But there’s a cheaper way, even, to get this card. In fact,
- Citibank’s Private Client program offers new cardmembers a $450 statement credit that covers the first year fee.
- And you still get an initial bonus offer on the card.
In subsequent years there’s still a $145 statement credit on the card for Citigold Private Clients. And if you have a legacy Citi Prestige card you may be able to get Citi Executive for a $350 annual fee instead of $450.
Many readers may be familiar with Citigold, which offers better service and lower fees with a $200,000 balance with Citi. Citigold Private Client is a no fee program for accounts with at least $1 million. However this doesn’t have to be $1 million in managed money. If you have mutual funds you can move them over and don’t have to pay Citi. They say that it’s expensive to be poor, and cheaper to be rich, $1 million in the bank gets you a year of Admirals Club and then a discount on future access.
And by the way this is also the cheapest way to access Alaska Airlines lounges, and Citi frequently has new account bonuses ($2000+ on big balances).
(HT: Steve E)
or do what I do.. put several million in a Bask Bank account. Rack up several million in AA miles a year. (Give or take cause I do deploy cash for last minute investments) You can use the miles to buy an AC membership. Or alternatively, my business partner pays for a citi exec card. Just had him add me as an authorized user.
if you have ever had to deal with Citibank customer service, having anything Citibank related is not appealing.
Or do what I did and redeem 3300 AA Business Extra points I wasn’t doing anything with for an Annual Membership with includes AA and Alaska.. A Platinum Pro/Exec Pat will normally spend enough to earn that per year at 1 Business Extra point earned per $5 spent with AA. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
Is there a business card which includes American Airlines Club access? Thank you.
Gary, can you elaborate on this statement:
“And if you have a legacy Citi Prestige card you may be able to get Citi Executive for a $350 annual fee instead of $450.”
My wife and I have a joint Citigold account. She has Prestige ($350 AF) and I have the Citi Exec. Is there a way to get my annual fee reduced to $350?