American Airlines Elite Status: How to Get it and What’s in it for You

American Airlines drastically changed AAdvantage in 2015, with revisions that would come up in stages. AAdvantage made a transition to a partially revenue-based earning scheme, but unlike Delta, American Airlines was introducing the changes gradually. This days, the carrier continues making updates to its loyalty program.

That means you can still earn the elite status without having to worry about the cost of the ticket. For now.

AAdvantage removed their published award charts, overhauled qualification for elite status, and introduced Loyalty Points. However, that does not mean it will be harder to earn elite status. You’ll have plenty of ways to earn Loyalty Points and you can still get a ton of value from the program.

Lingo

Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM), Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS), Redeemable Miles (RDM) are a thing of the past. Now AAdvantage members earn Loyalty Points.

Earning the Status

• For AAdvantage Gold^® you need 40,000 Loyalty Points.
• For AAdvantage Platinum^® – 75,000 Loyalty Points.
• For AAdvantage Platinum Pro^® – 125,000 Loyalty Points.
• For AAdvantage Executive Platinum^® – 200,000 Loyalty Points.

Upgrades

• AAdvantage Gold^® members get complimentary upgrades up to the premium cabin as early as 24 hours before the flight on American and Alaska Airlines (when available).
• For AAdvantage Platinum^® members get priority over AAdvantage Gold^® members for upgrades to the premium cabin as early as 48 hours before the flight on American and Alaska Airlines (when available).
• For AAdvantage Platinum Pro^® members receive unlimited complimentary upgrades to the premium cabin when traveling within North America on American and Alaska Airlines. Members can upgrade as early as 72 hours before the flight (when available).
• AAdvantage Executive Platinum^® members receive unlimited complimentary upgrades to the premium cabin (including award tickets) when traveling within North America on American and Alaska Airlines. Members can upgrade as early as 100 hours before the flight (when available).

Mileage Bonus

• Gold: 40%
• Platinum: 60%
• Platinum Pro: 80%
• Executive Platinum: 120%

When the earning component comes into effect, the Elite members will earn more miles (regular AAdvantage members will earn 5 miles per dollar).

• Gold – 7 miles per dollar.
• Platinum – 8 miles per dollar.
• Platinum Pro – 9 miles per dollar.
• Executive Platinum – 11 miles per dollar.

Fee Waivers

• Gold – 1 free checked bag, same-day standby, preferred seats.
• Platinum – 2 free checked bags, same-day standby, preferred seats, Main Cabin Extra seats.
• Platinum Pro – 3 free checked bags, same-day standby, preferred seats, Main Cabin Extra seats, same-day flight change.
• Executive Platinum – 3 free checked bags, same-day standby, preferred seats, Main Cabin Extra seats, same-day flight change, alcoholic beverage and snack in the Main Cabin.

Airport Services

• Gold and above: Priority Check In, Security, and Boarding.
• Platinum and above: Priority Baggage Delivery.
• Executive Platinum: Waitlist priority for purchased First or Business Class ticket.

Lounge Access

• Platinum and above: Discounted Admirals Club membership, Access to Partners Business Class and FF lounges.
• Executive platinum: First Class lounges.

Oneworld Status

• AAdvantage Gold^® – oneworld^® Ruby
• AAdvantage Platinum^® – oneworld^® Sapphire
• AAdvantage Platinum Pro^® – oneworld^® Emerald
• AAdvantage Executive Platinum^® – oneworld^® Emerald

Earning Loyalty Points with credit cards

If you don’t fly enough to qualify for the status, you can earn some extra Loyalty Points with AA-branded Citibank credit cards. The cards will allow you to earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible mile earned from purchases.

Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard (former US Air, not available to new applicants):

• Up to 15,000 Loyalty Points after qualifying spend each status qualification period

Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard:

• Earn a 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year
• Earn another 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points in the same status qualification year

Earning Miles on Partner Airlines

You can earn AAdvantage miles by flying on American partner airlines and crediting your miles back to AAdvantage. When you fly on a partner airline not marketed by AA, you’ll always earn miles based on the distance and class of service, even after AA turns on its revenue-based component on its own flights. For more information, check this page.