Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card vs Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card comes from First Bank & Trust at $0/yr; the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard from Citi at $595/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
For most people the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($980 more in estimated value) than the Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card's. Get the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard first; revisit the Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card | Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $595 |
| Sign-up bonus | Not advertised | 70,000 miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $980 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $7,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | First Bank & Trust | Citi |
| Card category | travel | airline |
| Best earning category (Best_western_hotels) | 4x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Editorial take: Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Pure Admirals Club access card. If you spend more than ~$850/year on lounge passes or visit AA hubs frequently, the $595 fee is a layup. The 2024 refresh added ~$360/year in Lyft/Grubhub/Avis credits that often go unclaimed, plus the free checked bag for 9 travelers is undersold for family travelers.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card or Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
- The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard has a public bonus (70,000 miles, worth roughly $980), while the Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
- The Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard's $595 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard's benefits to clear $595 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card.
- Can I have both the Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card and Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (First Bank & Trust and Citi) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card or the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card: no published min spend. Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard: $7,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.
