Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive is worth a look if you fly American often enough to use Admirals Club access regularly and take advantage of the card's travel-day benefits. Free checked bags for you and up to 8 companions, priority check-in and boarding, and lounge access can add up quickly for loyal American flyers, especially families or anyone who spends a lot of time in airports. The monthly Grubhub and Lyft credits, plus the annual Avis and Budget credit, can also help bring down the effective cost if those are already part of your routine.

For most other travelers, the $595 annual fee is hard to justify. The rewards side is fairly narrow: 4x on American purchases is useful if you buy a lot of airfare, but 1x on most other spending means this is not a strong primary card. If you do not fly American regularly or would not meaningfully use the lounge membership, this card will likely feel expensive for what it delivers.