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Beginning Aug. 23, cardholders can earn up to $250 in statement credits from January through June and another up to $250 from July through December when booking eligible American Airlines Vacations packages or experiences. The new credit arrives alongside a broader refresh to the card , including an increase in the card's annual fee from $595 to $695, meaning cardholders who maximize the benefit can recoup much of the added cost.
Unlike a straightforward airline credit, this perk comes with specific booking requirements. So what qualifies, and how can you get the most value from the credit?
Beginning Aug. 23, cardholders of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive can receive up to $500 in annual statement credits on eligible American Airlines Vacations purchases.
Rather than one annual credit, the benefit is split into two six-month periods:
To receive the credit, you'll need to pay with your Citi / AAdvantage Executive and book an eligible American Airlines Vacations travel package or experience through AAVacations.com.
According to Citi, statement credits will typically appear on your account within eight to 10 weeks after the qualifying purchase posts. To be eligible for the benefit, your card must be open and in good standing at the time the statement credit is fulfilled.
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Related: Is the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard worth it?
It's important to note that this isn't a general American Airlines travel credit. Purchases made directly through AA.com, including airfare booked on its own, won't qualify.
According to the benefit terms, eligible travel packages must include at least two travel components, such as:
The benefit also applies to eligible American Airlines Vacations Experiences booked through the platform. These can include destination activities and excursions, though availability varies by destination.
The credit is likely most valuable if you:
However, it's probably less valuable if you:
Although the new benefit is designed for American Airlines Vacations packages rather than stand-alone flights, there are plenty of ways to incorporate it into trips you may already be planning.
To get the full value of the benefit, remember that it's split into two six-month periods. Book one eligible vacation package between Jan. 1…