Understanding American Airlines Status Levels

American Airlines (AA), like many other airlines, encourages frequent flyers to pursue elite status and the additional benefits that accompany it from the moment they arrive at the airport, through check-in, boarding, and the flight itself. In this article, we will help you to understand and understand: Is it worth striving for AA elite status? And how to achieve the desired elite level.

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What is AA Elite Status?

American Airlines Elite Status is a set of tiered benefits offered to frequent flyers through the AAdvantage program. 

Image source News AA

The AAdvantage program has four levels of elite status:

1. Gold
2. Platinum
3. Platinum Pro
4. Executive Platinum

Each level offers more and more valuable benefits: such as bonus miles, privileged seats, priority service, and much more. 

The comparison table below covers the benefits associated with each American Airlines elite status level. 

Benefits	Gold 40,000 AAdvantage Loyalty Points	Platinum 75,000 AAdvantage Loyalty Points	Platinum Pro 125,000 AAdvantage Loyalty Points	Executive Platinum 200,000 AAdvantage Loyalty Points
Priority Check-In	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Priority Boarding	Group 4 boarding	Group 3 boarding	Group 2 boarding	Group 1 boarding
Complimentary Upgrades	24-hour upgrade window	48-hour upgrade window	72-hour upgrade window	100-hour upgrade window
Free Checked Bags	1	2	3	3
Miles / Loyalty Points per $1	7	8	9	11
Lounge Access	No	No	No	Yes
Admirals Club special price	$825 or 82,500 miles	$800 or 80,000 miles	$775 or 77,500 miles	$750 or 75,000 miles
Preferred Seats	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
oneworld status	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald	Emerald
Priority Boarding	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Same-Day Flight Changes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Award Travel Discounts	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Access to the support service of dedicated booking agents		Yes	Yes	Yes
Complimentary food and drinks in the Main Cabin				Yes
Guaranteed availability in the Main Cabin				Yes
Waitlist Priority for First or Business Class				Yes

What is Concierge Key AA?

There is also an unannounced, one might say, exclusive Concierge Key status offered to very loyal passengers of the company, which is less than 20,000 members. There are no criteria for this status, and it is granted at the discretion of American Airlines. It is rumored that to obtain this status, you need to spend more than $50,000 a year on flights.

Benefits of Concierge Key status

• The highest priority for improving the class of service (free upgrades start after 120 hours, compared to 100 hours for Executive Platinum members)
• Admirals Club membership.
• Access to Flagship lounges, including domestic flights
• Access to Flagship First Check-In, including domestic flights
• Two additional system-wide upgrades (not including those received through Loyalty Point Rewards)
• No extra charge for international upgrades for accumulated miles.
• Dedicated service line with 24/7 support
• Priority boarding before all others
• Assistance during irregular flights

How to Become an American Airlines Elite Member

Achieving elite status with American Airlines requires meeting specific qualification criteria within a calendar year. 

Eligible AAdvantage miles include all base miles earned on American Airlines flights, as well as miles earned when traveling with oneworld and other partner airlines. In addition, you can earn eligible miles for non-flight activities such as using AAdvantage credit cards, participating in AAdvantage dining programs, and shopping at AAdvantage partners.

Loyalty Points (LPs) are required to achieve elite status. Loyalty Points are earned for basic miles, credit card purchases and other eligible activities. Each AAdvantage mile earned contributes to the total number of Loyalty Points.

Qualification criteria that must be obtained within a calendar year to obtain elite status with American Airlines:

• Gold: 40,000 Loyalty Points
• Platinum: 75,000 Loyalty Points
• Platinum Pro: 125,000 Loyalty Points
• Executive Platinum: 200,000 Loyalty Points

The more you fly and spend, the higher your status level, unlocking greater benefits.

The calculation of Loyalty Points earnings is based on a regular loyalty program member, without status, who receives 5 miles/Loyalty Points per $1 spent on flights.

Status Level	Miles/Loyalty Points Earned
General Member	5 miles/Loyalty Points per $1
Gold	7 miles/Loyalty Points per $1
Platinum	8 miles/Loyalty Points per $1
Platinum Pro	9 miles/Loyalty Points per $1
Executive Platinum	11 miles/Loyalty Points per $1

Earning Elite Status Without Flying

For passengers who don’t fly frequently enough to earn the required number of Loyalty Points through travel alone, American Airlines offers alternative ways to achieve elite status:

• Spending on AAdvantage-branded credit cards
• Promotions with elite status acceleration
• AA Instant Status Pass program
• AAdvantage eShopping portal 
• SimplyMiles offers
• Use your registered card to pay at restaurants, bars and clubs participating in the AAdvantage Dining program
• Booking accommodation through Rocketmiles and AAdvantage Hotels 

Spending on AAdvantage-branded Credit Cards

Most AAdvantage-branded credit cards earn one Loyalty Point for every dollar spent.

Card Name	Annual Fee	Rewards	Sign-Up Bonus
Citi / AAdvantage MileUp Mastercard	No annual fee	2x on American Airlines, restaurants, gas stations;1x on other purchases	15,000 miles after spending $500 in 3 months
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard	$99 (waived first year)	2x on American Airlines, restaurants, gas stations;  1x on other purchases	50,000 miles after spending $2,500 in 3 months
Citi Business / AAdvantage World Elite Mastercard	$99 (waived first year)	2x on American Airlines, select business categories, on cable and satellite providers, at gas stations, on select telecommunications merchants and car rentals; 1x on other purchases	65,000 miles after spending $4,000 in 4 months
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard	$595	4x on American Airlines; 10 miles for every $1 spent on hotel reservations and car rentals through aa.com; 1x on other purchases	70,000 miles and become a member of Admirals Club
AAdvantage Aviator Mastercard	No annual fee	1x on American Airlines;  0,5x on other purchases;
AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Blue Mastercard	$49	2x on American Airlines;  1x on other purchases;
AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard	$99	2x on American Airlines;  1x on other purchases	60,000 miles after first purchase and payment of annual fee in 90 days
AAdvantage AviatorSilver Mastercard	$199	3x on American Airlines;  2x on hotel and car rental purchases; 1x on other purchases; earn up to 15,000 additional Loyalty Points

Please note that when you earn 2x miles for American Airlines, for example, it is 1 AAdvantage base mile and 1 AAdvantage bonus mile. And 1 Loyalty Point = 1 AAdvantage base mile.

How Does Elite Status Work?

American Airlines’ elite status is determined by the number of Loyalty Points (LPs) you have earned in a calendar year. If you reach the threshold for a particular status, you will be able to enjoy the corresponding benefits immediately and until the end of the following year. 

Elite status is not permanent and must be confirmed annually. 

If you do not meet the requalification requirements, you will be downgraded to a lower status or lose your elite status altogether.

Benefits of AA Elite Status

The benefits of American Airlines elite status are numerous and vary by tier:

Complimentary Upgrades

Elite members are eligible for a complimentary upgrade from the main cabin to the next class on flights within the United States and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda, and Central America, subject to availability.

An upgrade can also be applied to a companion traveling on the same flight. 

But there is a certain gradation when which level of elite can receive this upgrade, a kind of queue:

• Executive Platinum: 100 hours before departure, 
• Platinum Pro – 72 hours,
• Platinum – 48 hours in advance,
• Gold – 24 hours in advance

Then it’s taken into account:

• type of upgrade,
• loyalty points (the number is updated daily),
• booking code (W, P, Y, H, K, M, L, V, G, S, N, Q, O, and then T),
• date/time of the request.

Additional seats in the main cabin with up to 6 inches of extra legroom are also available for AAdvantage elite members free of charge (subject to availability).

An American Airlines elite member and up to eight passengers can select their preferred seat (standard legroom but with their preferred seat location in the basic economy cabin) at the time of booking or afterward, depending on availability.

Priority Boarding

Elite AAdvantage members are entitled to priority access during check-in, security, and boarding. 

• Executive Platinum to Group 1, 
• Platinum Pro to Group 2, 
• Platinum to Group 3,
• Gold to Group 4. 

As a rule, priority boarding guarantees a place for your carry-on baggage.

Free Checked Bags

Ranging from one to four free bags, depending on status level.

Elite members are entitled to free checked baggage: 

• Gold – 1 checked baggage, 
• Platinum – 2 checked bags
• Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum – 3 checked bags. 

In addition, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum members and others with the same reservation receive their checked baggage with a Priority tag, which means their baggage should be among the first to reach the claim belt.

Same-Day Flight Changes

Elite Members are eligible for same-day flight changes (when traveling within the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico).

Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro members can change flights to or from the US, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Canada and some Caribbean destinations free of charge.

This is based on same-day travel on American Airlines.

Lounge Access

Different levels of the elite are eligible to receive a discount on the purchase of annual access to Admirals Club lounges.

• Gold members pay $825 (or 85,500 miles) for a new membership and $775 (or 77,500 miles) for renewal; 
• Platinum pay $800 (or 80,000 miles) for a new membership and $750 (or 75,000 miles) for renewal;
• Platinum Pro pays $775 (or 77,500 miles) for a new membership and $725 (or 72,500 miles) for renewal; 
• Executive Platinum pays $750 (or 75,000 miles) for new membership and $700 (or 70,000 miles) for renewal. 

Membership benefits include access to nearly 50 Admirals Club locations and over 60 partner lounges worldwide. 

You can also purchase a family membership, which costs between $1,550 and $1,650, depending on the status level. This gives you, your spouse or domestic partner access to lounges around the world when traveling together or separately

Reciprocal Benefits

Partnership with Alaska Airlines

American Airlines partnership with Alaska Airlines extends certain elite benefits to its flights (priority boarding and free checked baggage)

Automatic granting of Oneworld status

• Gold – Oneworld Ruby, 
• Platinum – Oneworld Sapphire, 
• Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum – Oneworld Emerald

These benefits can save you money and make your travel experience more comfortable and convenient.

Loyalty Point Rewards

Elite members participate in the Loyalty Point Rewards program, which provides an opportunity to choose additional benefits for accumulating loyalty points and reaching certain levels in addition to the benefits of the elite status itself.

• 15,000 Loyalty Point Reward level: Options like Group 5 boarding, priority privileges, seat coupons, or additional Loyalty Points.
• 60,000 Loyalty Point Reward level: Benefits like Avis Preferred Plus status and bonuses on spending with specific partners.
• 100,000 Loyalty Point Reward level: Avis President’s Club status, with higher spending bonuses on select partnerships.
• 175,000 to 250,000 Loyalty Point Reward level: Choices range from upgrades, bonus miles, Admirals Club access, travel credits, charitable donations, and more, with the ability to gift status or select luxury items.
• 400,000+ Loyalty Point Reward level: Enhanced rewards, including systemwide upgrades, higher bonus miles, exclusive lounge access, and special experiences.
• 1 Million Loyalty Point Reward level and Beyond: Elite status gifts, significant mileage rebates, and premium experience discounts.

Is American Airlines Elite Status Worth It?

Whether American Airlines’ elite status is worth pursuing depends on your travel habits and how much you value the associated benefits. If you frequently fly with American Airlines or its partners, perks like complimentary upgrades, free checked bags, and lounge access can more than offset the effort and cost to achieve elite status. 

Lifetime Elite Status

For the most loyal American Airlines customers, the AAdvantage program offers the opportunity to participate in Million Miler, a lifetime elite status program. 

Only basic miles will be credited on the way to lifetime Million Miler status, AAdvantage bonus miles and additional miles earned through special promotional offers are not counted.

After earning one million Million Miler miles, AAdvantage members will receive AAdvantage Gold Lifetime status and 35,000 AAdvantage bonus miles.

After earning two million Million Miler miles, AAdvantage members will receive AAdvantage Platinum Lifetime status for the life of the program and four one-way upgrades.

To achieve this, you need to accumulate a substantial number of miles over your lifetime:

• Lifetime Gold: 1 million miles.
• Lifetime Platinum: 2 million miles.

Once earned, lifetime status provides you with the corresponding elite benefits for the rest of your life, without the need to requalify annually.

Where to check your way to the lifetime elite:

• Visit your account home page and click on “Activity”.

From there, you’ll see your lifetime miles in the Million Miler section.

• Or in the American Airlines app in the “Your Activity” section. 

Common Questions and Myths

Many travelers have questions about American Airlines’ elite status, and some myths persist. Here are clear answers to some common inquiries:

How many AA Executive Platinum members are there? 

The exact number isn’t publicly disclosed.

Do award flights count towards elite status?

Generally, no, award flights do not count towards earning elite status.

Do AA credit card points count towards status?

Yes, all credit cards allow you to earn Loyalty Points to achieve elite status. The rate of earning is one Loyalty Point for every dollar spent, except for the AAdvantage Aviator Mastercard, where you earn 0.5 Loyalty Points for every dollar spent.

How much do I need to spend to get AA status?

AAdvantage members who do not have elite status earn 5 basic AAdvantage miles per $1 spent. 1 Loyalty Point = 1 AAdvantage base mile. That is, if you spend $1,000 on a flight, you will earn 5,000 Loyalty Points.

To get the AAdvantage Gold level, you have to earn 40,000 Loyalty Points, which means that if you earn only on flights, you will spend $8,000.

To get Loyalty Points faster, you can consider applying for a credit card, where you can earn basic AAdvantage miles for current expenses as well.

Can I buy status on American Airlines?

You cannot simply buy the desired elite level. However, you can buy an extension of your current status if you do not have enough Loyalty Points on your account.

American Airlines is offering travelers who were unable to accumulate the appropriate number of Loyalty Points to maintain their status the opportunity to redeem their status until March 31, 2025. This makes sense in order not to lose elite status completely. 

To check if you're eligible, log in to the status redemption page with your AAdvantage card number. Follow this link.  

Only the status level you are currently upgraded to is available for purchase.

For example, Platinum Pro members who have earned enough loyalty points to keep their Gold status for the next year can upgrade to Platinum, but not to Platinum Pro, as you have enough loyalty points for Gold status only.

Be careful because the amount you spend to maintain your status will not bring you miles that you can pay.

Prices for this service are too high for most members (it will cost you several thousand dollars). The best solution is to sign up for one of the credit cards that will help you earn loyalty points for your current expenses.

What is the difference between AA Gold and Platinum?

1. The difference in the number of Loyalty Points required to get or update elite status. For AA Gold it is 40,000 Loyalty Points, and for Platinum, it is 40,000 Loyalty Points: 75,000 Loyalty Points.
2. The benefits of elite status.

Advantages	Gold	Platinum
Priority Check-In	Yes	Yes
Priority Boarding	Group 4 boarding	Group 3 boarding
Complimentary Upgrades	24-hour upgrade window	48-hour upgrade window
Free Checked Bags	1	2
Mileage Bonus	40%	60%
Lounge Access	No	No
Admirals Club special price	$825 or 82,500 miles	$800 or 80,000 miles
Preferred Seats	Yes	Yes
oneworld status	Ruby	Sapphire
Priority Security	Yes	Yes
Same-Day Flight Changes	Yes	Yes
Award Travel Discounts	Yes	Yes
Access to the support service of dedicated booking agents		Yes

Does AA Elite status expire?

Elite status is not permanent and must be confirmed annually. It comes into effect immediately after you have accumulated the required number of loyalty points and is valid until the end of the next year, during which time you must again accumulate loyalty points to further confirm your status. If you fail to qualify, you will be downgraded to a lower status or lose your elite status altogether.

Do AA elites get free bags on JetBlue?

As of July 21, 2023, the partnership between the airlines has been terminated (details in our article). Therefore, no, AA elite members are not entitled to free baggage.

Is AA Elite Priority on JetBlue?

As of July 21, 2023, the partnership between the airlines has been terminated (details in our article). So no, elite AA members are not entitled to such privileges as priority boarding or anything else.

How do I get lifetime elite status?

To get the Million Miler lifetime status you need one million basic AAdvantage miles (additional miles earned within special promotional offers are not taken into account). Read more about Lifetime Elite status here.

Conclusion

American Airlines’ elite status can offer significant benefits, especially for frequent travelers.

Understanding the different levels of status, how to earn it, and the benefits at each level will help you make an informed decision about whether AA elite status is right for you. 

It all depends on your personal needs and travel preferences.