Citi / AAdvantage Executive Mastercard is getting a major refresh — here's what's changing

American Airlines and Citi are giving their flagship premium credit card its biggest refresh in years, adding new travel benefits, richer statement credits and new ways to earn AAdvantage® miles and Loyalty Points.Beginning Aug. 23, the refreshed Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) will carry a $695 annual fee for new cardmembers, up from $595.American and Citi say the card will offer up to $2,300 in annual value while continuing to include the card's signature perk: an Admirals Club® membership with unlimited access.CITIThe AAdvantage Executive will also carry new World Legend Mastercard branding, reflecting benefits Citi added to the card and other cards in the AAdvantage portfolio last October.On paper, the changes make the Executive card more rewarding and reposition it from primarily an Admirals Club membership card into a broader premium travel product. But its new perks won't be equally valuable to everyone."There's a constant evolution of expectations for premium travelers," said John LaCosta, Citi's Head of Partnership Cards and Development for U.S. Consumer Cards. "This card, being at the premium end of our portfolio, has to continue...