To help you decipher which locations are eligible because of this privilege, anytime it is possible to get a complimentary upgrade to upgrade your flight, you’ll have access to an Admirals Club when departing the U.S.
This status is relatively easy to earn, only requiring 75,000 Loyalty Points earned during the 2023 program year.
While this may look like plenty of miles for some, this amount of travel isn’t uncommon for a small business traveler or perhaps a heavy leisure traveler.
Note that Citi in addition has periodically offered up to 60,000 American Airlines miles for opening a bank checking account, though these offers are sometimes targeted.
It is worth noting that flights on most non-alliance partners (apart from JetBlue of Gol) will earn redeemable miles but will not earn Loyalty Points.
To upgrade from the primary cabin to business class or “recliner” first class, you need to find the “C” fare class inventory.
Generally, you cannot directly buy American Airlines Platinum status without meeting the Loyalty Points threshold.
While there could be targeted promotions where you may be able to pay for status upfront, it’s not widely offered.
The Platinum Service Desk is a phone line where a realtor will let you with reservations.
This line pays to in the case of weather or other irregular operations, though they’re not entirely useful in terms of waiving fees or other customer-friendly initiatives.
Alaska Mileage Plan elites are placed on the priority list after American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Pro elites.
Unlike Delta and Southwest, AA doesn’t offer direct status matches for elite members from other airlines.
So, even if you’re a Delta Diamond or United Premier 1K, AA won’t will give you free match to AAdvantage Executive Platinum.
On March 1, 2023, American Airlines replaced its Loyalty Choice Rewards with Loyalty Point Rewards no longer requires AAdvantage members to fly any segments to earn benefits.
AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog.
- This can be the card’s highest bonus up to now, with the prior offer being 50,000 miles after $2,500 spent within three months.
- Platinum customers can access Preferred seats if Main Cabin Extra isn’t available.
- American Airlines doesn’t offer a traditional status match like the majority of other elite programs.
- If you’re going to be seated in economy, then at the very least having the ability to assign Main Cabin Extra seats makes the journey more tolerable.
- Systemwide upgrades can also be used on British Airways marketed and operated flights or British Airways operated flights marketed by American.
It isn’t worth paying 15,000 AAdvantage miles plus $75 to upgrade most domestic flights.
But, it may be worth considering paying this to upgrade from economy to lie-flat business class on a red-eye transcontinental flight.
If you’re feeling especially generous—or only purchase first-class flights—you can share systemwide upgrades with anyone you select.
Just call American Airlines with the traveler’s flight information to apply an upgrade.
Guide To American Aadvantage Executive Platinum Status
years without any account activity).
In this guide, you’ll discover ways to earn status, what the huge benefits are, and whether pursuing AAdvantage elite status will probably be worth it for you.
Actually, the airline got third in NerdWallet’s award for best airline loyalty programs of 2023.
The two airlines that arrived slightly higher were Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian.
AAdvantage® status members receive complimentary upgrades on Alaska Airlines.
The values in this story derive from the benefits you’d enjoy once you earn a given status.
However, the calculations are different (and much more complicated) if you focus on no AAdvantage status or a lower tier of status.
Assuming the bonus applies to 30% of the Loyalty Points you’d earn after achieving the milestone, you’d earn 1,125 extra Loyalty Points.
Assuming the bonus pertains to 30% of the Loyalty Points you’d earn after achieving the milestone, you’d earn 1,350 extra Loyalty Points.
Finally, we’ll use TPG’s valuation of American miles at 1.77 cents each when calculating the value of bonus earnings.
American Airlines includes a partnership with Hyatt hotels that gives you benefits with both brands.
How Do I Be Eligible For Platinum Status?
Executive Platinum members enjoy Group 2 Boarding, exactly the same boarding group as OneWorld Emerald members and business class on a 3-class plane.
Platinum Pro members and above receive complimentary same-day flight changes, a savings of $75 to $150 based on your destination.
Gold members board in Group 4 of the boarding process, which is the same as OneWorld Ruby members and Citi AAdvantage Executive charge card members.
The offers for financial loans you see on our platform result from companies who pay us.
- American previously offered free elite challenges or even elite status without a challenge for Hyatt elite members.
- As a Platinum status member, you’re permitted to fly standby for any flight on a single day and exactly the same routing as your present flight.
- Despite the change in the manner elite status is earned, you nevertheless still need to fly to earn Million Miler status.
Every time a premium cabin has empty seats, American Airlines runs on the system of status and seniority to upgrade AAdvantage elite members to fill them.
Alternatively, 70,000 miles are enough to book a one-way ticket to the Middle East in Qatar Airways’ famous Qsuite business class seat.
American Airlines recently scrapped its traditional frequent flyer award chart in favor of dynamic pricing with out a specified mileage cap for American-operated flights.
Does Aadvantage Platinum Have Lounge Access?
at everything at all, but it’s nice, as an AA EP, having the capacity to just select the AA MCE seats at booking and not have AA treat it as an elite upgrade perk close-in.
As someone who lives in Miami and flies frequently, I really do find Executive Platinum to provide value at the margins.
I still end up spending money on first class a lot, since there are many markets where upgrades are simply really difficult.
Still, I’d say the value is largely there, especially since I’m not moving away from my solution to be loyal to the airline.
Concierge Key members can utilize the Flagship First check-in area when flying on any American Airlines flight (whatever the cabin).
An alternative supply of Concierge Key status is to buy a $50,000 AirPass, but that is a unique program designed for business travelers who frequently fly at the last minute.
Executive Platinum members and something companion can book a full-fare ticket in the primary Cabin on sold-out American Airlines flights when you make your reservation at least 24 hours in advance.
Executive Platinum members and something companion have exclusive usage of additional MileSAAver award space when traveling on American Airlines.