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Airport lounge access is a valuable travel credit card perk that’s growing in popularity. Airports have gotten busier than they were pre-pandemic. Resting in a lounge provides additional privacy and the opportunity to enjoy complimentary food and beverages. If you have a Citi credit card or are thinking about getting one, you’re probably wondering if Citibank has lounge access.
Does Citibank Have Lounge Access? Which Citi Card Has Lounge Access?
The information for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Only one Citi credit card in the United States offers airport lounge access. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® offers unlimited visits to the American Airlines Admirals Lounge network. Additionally, Citigold members can enjoy banking lounge access in major cities across the world. This program is separate from any air travel perks.
There can be more options for Citi-issued cards in other countries including Australia, India, and Malaysia. However, this article won’t explore these options.
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® offers unlimited visits to the American Airlines lounge network. Additionally, the primary cardholder and authorized users can enter Admirals Club lounges free of charge.
This Citi/AAdvantage Executive is a premium credit card.
Plus, it is the flagship product for American Airlines credit cards. However, it has a $595 annual fee.
The lounge benefits alone are worth having this card if you normally spend layovers in terminals or airports with an Admirals Club location.
Other card benefits include:
- 4x AAdvantage miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
- 1x miles on all remaining purchases
- 1 Loyalty Point per AAdvantage mile earned on purchases
- 10,000 additional Loyalty Points when spending at least $40,000 during the qualifying status year
- A first checked bag is free on domestic itineraries for you and up to 8 cardholders
- Enhanced Airport Experience
- 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases
- $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every 5 years
- No foreign transaction fee
New Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® cardholders can earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, enjoy a complimentary Admirals Club® membership (a value of up to $850).
Admirals Lounge Access
Cardholders get complimentary Admirals Club® membership. Two additional guests or immediate family may accompany the member into the 50+ Admirals Lounge locations around the world.
The primary cardholder has full Admirals Club membership which includes access to partner lounges and clubs that American Airlines has a reciprocal relationship with. Additionally, full members can enjoy special pricing on conference rooms and receive other discounts.
However, authorized users can only visit Admirals Lounges free of charge but can’t go to partner lounges or enjoy travel discounts.
No cardholders have access to the Arrivals Lounge, International First Class Lounges, or Flagship® Lounge facilities, including Flagship® First Dining. Additionally, you may need to purchase a membership from American Airlines to enjoy these benefits.
If you’re a current paid Admirals Club member, applying for this card with at least 60 days remaining in your membership period means you can receive a prorated refund.
Related: Which Lounge Network is Better: Admirals Club or Centurion Lounge?
(Discontinued) Citi Prestige
If you happen to have a Citi Prestige® Card in your wallet, you may consider keeping it open for complimentary Priority Pass Select airport lounge access. However, this card is no longer accepting new applications and the card product page displays an “Oops! Page Not Found” message.
Plus, this card could also earn up to 5x Citi ThankYou points on purchases and has an exciting hotel savings benefit.
Related: Best Citi Credit Cards for Travel
Other Credit Cards With Lounge Access
Now that you know that only one Citibank card has lounge access, you may decide to pair your Citi credit card with one of these airport lounge credit cards to access more networks. This way, it’s possible to visit lounges when you’re not flying on American Airlines as no Citi credit card offers access to independent lounge networks.
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express has the most extensive airport lounge benefits. It features many other luxury travel perks too.
Additionally, complimentary visits are available with these networks:
- Centurion
- Delta Sky Club
- Escape Lounges
- Lufthansa
- Plaza Premium
- Priority Pass Select
- Airspace
Other travel perks include an annual up to $200 airline fee credit, up to $200 in Uber Cash per year, and elite travel privileges with airlines, hotels, and car rental agencies.
The annual fee is $695 (See Rates & Fees).
Related: Should You Get Both the Amex Platinum and Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite?
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Most premium cards offer Priority Pass Select lounge benefits. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the most affordable, with a $395 annual fee and up to 4 free additional cards.
Additionally, complimentary visits for cardholders and up to 2 guests are at these networks:
- Capital One Lounge
- Priority Pass Select
- Plaza Premium
There are a few card benefits of note. One is earning 2x miles on card purchases and up 10x on Capital One Travel bookings. Additionally, you can get a $100 Premier Collection experience credit for qualifying hotels and resorts. Plus, enjoy a fee credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and flexible mileage redemption options.
Related: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Review
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers complimentary access to the Priority Pass Select lounge locations.
Some of the card’s other travel benefits include:
- $300 annual travel credit
- Free Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS (up to $100 every 5 years)
- Special amenities at The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
- Earn up to 10x Ultimate Rewards® on purchases
- 50% travel redemption bonus through Chase Travel℠
- 1:1 airline and hotel point transfers
- Extensive trip protection coverage
The annual fee is $550 for the primary card and $75 per authorized user.
Consider this card if you want to earn Ultimate Rewards and like the flexible redemption options.
Related: Is The Chase Sapphire Reserve Worth It?
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a fine option if you only need two lounge visits per year. Primary cardholders receive two one-time passes each year to Capital One Lounge or Plaza Premium locations. The cardholder or a guest can use these passes.
Additional card benefits include earning 2x miles on all purchases (5x on hotels and car rentals through Capital One Travel). Plus, enjoy a fee credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
The annual fee is $95.
Related: Capital One Venture Rewards vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve Review
Summary
In conclusion, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is the only Citibank credit card with airport lounge access. While the options are limited, it’s an excellent product. Cardholders can get unlimited visits, and American Airlines is one of the world’s largest airlines.
However, if you don’t visit Admirals Lounges, another premium card is better with Priority Pass Select being the most accessible alternative.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
