Is it worth becoming a Citi / AAdvantage Executive authorized user for Admirals Club access?
Editor's Note
If you're looking for a less expensive way to get Admirals Club access, becoming an authorized user on the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard® (see rates and fees) is worth considering.
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.
Related: American Airlines raises Admirals Club membership rates, adds lower-price solo option
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.
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.
Related: A guide to guest policies for airport lounges
What don't authorized users get?
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.
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.
Related: Everything you need to know about authorized credit card users
Do authorized-user purchases earn Loyalty Points?
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.
That means spending by authorized users can help the primary cardholder make progress toward AAdvantage elite status and the card's Loyalty Point bonuses.
Is becoming an authorized user worth it?
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.
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.
Related: The Citi / AAdvantage Executive's new benefits are live: 6 things to do now
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.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive.
Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard