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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
Is it worth becoming a Citi / AAdvantage Executive authorized user for Admirals Club access?
Stephanie Stevens is an associate writer with TPG's credit cards team. She focuses on creating timely credit cards content for TPG readers.
September 24, 2026 • 7 min read
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Quick summary
Adding up to three authorized users to a premium airline card can provide each person with their own airport lounge access at a significantly lower per-person cost than purchasing individual lounge memberships.
Authorized users receive their own lounge entry privileges, including the ability to bring guests or immediate family, even when traveling separately from the primary cardholder.
The cost per authorized user decreases as more slots are filled, making this option especially appealing for groups or families who travel frequently with the airline.
However, authorized users do not receive all the benefits available to the primary cardholder, such as certain travel credits or broader lounge access.
What to consider
Authorized users can only access the airline's own lounges, not partner lounges like select Alaska Lounges or Qantas Clubs.
Guest privileges are included for authorized users, but other perks such as travel credits and priority services are reserved for the primary cardholder.
Purchases by authorized users contribute to the primary cardholder's loyalty status and rewards accrual.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of the cost, guest privileges and benefit differences between authorized user lounge access, single lounge memberships and full memberships.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
The card charges $175 to add up to three authorized users, so the effective cost is under $60 per person if all three authorized-user slots are used. Each authorized user gets their own Admirals Club access, though they don't receive all the benefits available to the primary cardholder.
Let's break down what you get as a Citi / AAdvantage Executive authorized user, how it compares to an Admirals Club membership and who should consider this option.
How much does it cost to add a Citi / AAdvantage Executive authorized user?
The Citi / AAdvantage Executive charges $175 per year to add up to three authorized users. Any additional authorized users cost another $175 each.
That means the effective cost per person depends on how many authorized-user slots are used:
Number of authorized users
Total fee (annually)
Cost per person
1
$175
$175
2
$175
$87.50
3
$175
$58.33
4
$350
$87.50
5
$525
$105
If all three authorized-user slots are used, the effective cost comes down to just $58.33 per person annually.
For comparison, a single Admirals Club membership costs $750 per year and provides Admirals Club access only to the member, with no guest privileges or access to partner lounges.
A standard Admirals Club membership, which includes guest privileges and access to eligible partner lounges, costs $1,200 to $1,400 per year (depending on your AAdvantage elite status).
That makes becoming an authorized user a much cheaper way to get Admirals Club access, including guest privileges.
What do Citi / AAdvantage Executive authorized users get?
The main benefit for authorized users of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive is that they receive their own Admirals Club access.
Notably, this access isn't tied to the primary cardholder; authorized users can visit Admirals Club lounges even when the primary cardholder isn't traveling with them.
To enter, an authorized user must present their Citi / AAdvantage Executive card, a government-issued ID and a same-day boarding pass for a flight operated or marketed by American Airlines, Alaska Airlines or a Oneworld carrier.
Admirals Club at DCA. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Authorized users can also bring either their immediate family — their spouse or domestic partner and children under 18 — or up to two guests into Admirals Club lounges at no additional cost. Guests must accompany the authorized user and present a same-day boarding pass for an eligible flight.
That's a key advantage over American's $750 single Admirals Club membership, which provides access only to the member and does not include guest privileges.
The biggest limitation is a lack of access to partner lounges. Citi / AAdvantage Executive authorized users can access Admirals Club lounges, but they don't receive access to American's partner lounges through the card.
These partner lounges include select Alaska Lounges in the U.S., such as those at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), as well as Qantas Clubs in Australia.
Alaska Lounge at SFO. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
By comparison, a standard Admirals Club membership — which costs at least $1,200 annually (depending on AAdvantage status) — includes access to Admirals Club and eligible partner lounges, while the single membership — costing $750 — only includes Admirals Club access.
Authorized users also miss out on several perks reserved for the primary cardholder, such as up to $120 in statement credits toward a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee (every four years), priority check-in and boarding, and a first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries.
In other words, the $175 buys Admirals Club access, not a second full set of card benefits.
Yes, purchases made by authorized users can earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points, and those rewards are credited to the primary cardholder's AAdvantage account.
Becoming a Citi / AAdvantage Executive authorized user makes the most sense for travelers who primarily want Admirals Club access and don't need the broader benefits of being a primary cardholder or an Admirals Club membership.
TPG editor-in-chief Nick Ewen uses this benefit to give friends and colleagues their own Admirals Club access: "I can add authorized users at an affordable rate ($175 for the first three, and then $175 each after that) to get their own Admirals Club access. I have a few friends and colleagues who frequently fly American, so they get a lot of value from being on my account."
If all three authorized-user slots are used, the effective annual cost comes down to under $60 per person. But even if you're the only authorized user and cover the full $175 fee yourself, that's still significantly less than the $750 annual cost of a single Admirals Club membership — and authorized-user access includes guest privileges that the single membership doesn't.
MILJAN ŽIVKOVIĆ/GETTY IMAGES
However, travelers who want access to partner lounges or the card's broader travel benefits may be better served by another option.
And if becoming an authorized user isn't an option, it's worth comparing the cost of an Admirals Club membership with getting the Citi / AAdvantage Executive yourself. The card's $695 annual fee is lower than the cost of both the single and standard Admirals Club memberships, and primary cardholders receive a standard Admirals Club membership along with the card's other travel benefits.
Plus, as a primary cardholder, you could earn a sizable stash of American miles through the welcome offer. For a limited time, new cardholders can earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first five months from account opening.
How can you add a Citi / AAdvantage Executive authorized user?
Primary Citi / AAdvantage Executive cardholders can add authorized users to their account online, via the Citi mobile app or by calling the number on the back of their card.
Once added, each authorized user will receive their own card, which they'll need to present to access Admirals Club lounges when traveling without the primary cardholder.
Bottom line
If all three authorized-user slots are used, Citi / AAdvantage Executive authorized users can get Admirals Club access for under $60 per person annually, making this an enticing option for travelers primarily interested in lounge access.
Just remember that the access and other perks aren't identical to those available with a standard Admirals Club membership or as the primary cardholder.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
