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Big-spending American Airlines credit card holders could do very well with upcoming changes to the AAdvantage frequent flyer program.
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American Airlines is making changes to its AAdvantage loyalty program.
You will soon earn Choice Rewards (systemwide upgrades, bonus miles, etc.) independent of elite status.
American Airlines credit card holders will be able to earn Choice Rewards without flying.
Read Insider’s guide to the best airline credit cards.
On the heels of its previous loyalty program overhaul back in March 2022, American Airlines is again making dramatic changes that will affect AAdvantage flyers.
Beginning in March 2023, low-level American Airlines elite status will become harder to earn. Earning select elite status benefits will become slightly easier for many — but some elites may find the value of their status has been diminished.
Let’s take a look at the most notable changes and see why the biggest beneficiaries are those who do a lot of spending on American Airlines credit cards.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Changes to American Airlines’ elite status earnings and benefits
American Airlines has a unique process for earning elite status: You must collect a specific number of “Loyalty Points,” which can be earned from things like:
Flying on American AirlinesSpending on American Airlines credit cardsSpending with certain American Airlines partners (such as Rocketmiles and making purchases through the AAdvantage eShopping portal)
There are two big changes concerning elite status that you should know about.
Low-level status will be harder to earn
You can currently earn AAdvantage Gold status by achieving 30,000 Loyalty Points. Beginning March 2023, you’ll need to earn 40,000 Loyalty Points. That’s a steep increase.
Fortunately, the elite status thresholds for Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum will remain untouched by these changes.
You can earn “Choice Rewards” more easily (but the good stuff is harder than ever to get)
One of the best parts of AAdvantage Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum elite status has been the ability to earn “Choice Rewards” after attaining status:
Platinum Pro members can select one Choice RewardExecutive Platinum can select two Choice Rewards (and earn additional Choice Rewards after earning 350,000, 550,000, and 750,000 Loyalty Points during a membership year)
Choice Rewards consist of things like systemwide upgrades, bonus American Airlines miles, trip credits, etc. At present, you must fly at least 30 qualifying segments to qualify for them.
The way you earn these Choice Rewards is going to change in a big way. Beginning in March 2023, you’ll begin earning Choice Rewards independently of elite status — and without having to fly any qualifying segments. Here’s the breakdown:
Loyalty Points thresholdReward options15,000 (Choose one reward)Group 5 boarding (for the membership year)Priority privileges and Group 4 boarding for a single trip5 preferred seat coupons60,000 Avis Preferred elite status20% Loyalty Points bonus on spending with AAVacations, AAHotels, AAdvantage eShopping, AAdvantage Dining, and SimplyMiles100,000Avis Presidents Club elite status30% Loyalty Points bonus on spending with AAVacations, AAHotels, AAdvantage eShopping, AAdvantage Dining, and SimplyMiles175,000 (Choose one reward)2 systemwide upgrades20,000 bonus miles (25,000 bonus miles if you have an American Airlines credit card)6 Admirals Club one-day passes$200 trip credit ($250 if you have an American Airlines credit card)Carbon offset$250 donation to a select nonprofit organization15% rebate on an award flightGift AAdvantage Gold elite status to two friends35,000 miles toward a Mastercard Priceless Experience (only for American Airlines cardmembers)250,000 (Choose two rewards)2 systemwide upgrades20,000 bonus miles (30,000 bonus miles if you have an American Airlines credit card)6 Admirals Club one-day passesAdmirals Club membership (must use both choice rewards)$200 trip credit ($250 if you have an American Airlines credit card)Carbon offset$250 donation to a select nonprofit organizationGift AAdvantage Gold elite status to two friendsBang & Olufsen product (must use both choice rewards)1 Flagship Lounge single visit pass (2 visit passes if you have an American Airlines credit card)400,000 (Choose two rewards)1 systemwide upgrade25,000 bonus milesAdmirals Club membership (must use both choice rewards)$200 trip credit ($250 if you have an American Airlines credit card)Carbon offsetGift AAdvantage Platinum status to one friendBang & Olufsen product (must use both choice rewards)2 Flagship Lounge single-visit passes1 Flagship First Dining visit pass40,000 AAdvantage miles toward a Mastercard Priceless Experience (only for American Airlines cardmembers)550,000 (Choose two rewards)1 systemwide upgrade25,000 bonus milesAdmirals Club membership (must use both choice rewards)$200 trip credit ($250 if you have an American Airlines credit card)Carbon offsetGift AAdvantage Platinum status to one friendBang & Olufsen product (must use both choice rewards)2 Flagship Lounge single-visit passes1 Flagship First Dining visit pass40,000 AAdvantage miles toward a Mastercard Priceless Experience (only for American Airlines cardmembers)750,000 (Choose two rewards)1 systemwide upgrade25,000 bonus milesAdmirals Club membership (must use both choice rewards)$200 trip credit ($250 if you have an American Airlines credit card)Carbon offsetGift AAdvantage Platinum status to one friendBang & Olufsen product (must use both choice rewards)2 Flagship Lounge single-visit passes1 Flagship First Dining visit pass40,000 AAdvantage miles toward a Mastercard Priceless Experience (only for American Airlines cardmembers)
1,000,000 (Choose 1 reward)
4 systemwide upgradesCarbon offsetGift AAdvantage Platinum Pro status to one friendUp to 100,000 AAdvantage miles rebate on award flights150,000 AAdvantage miles toward a Mastercard Priceless Experience (only for American Airlines cardmembers)
3,000,000 (Choose 1 reward)
6 systemwide upgradesCarbon offsetGift AAdvantage Executive Platinum elite status to one friendUp to 300,000 AAdvantage miles rebate on award flights350,000 AAdvantage miles toward a Mastercard Priceless Experience (only for American Airlines cardmembers)
5,000,000 (Choose 1 reward)
10 systemwide upgradesCarbon offsetGift AAdvantage Executive Platinum elite status to one friendUp to 500,000 AAdvantage miles rebate on award flights550,000 AAdvantage miles toward a Mastercard Priceless Experience (only for American Airlines cardmembers)
A big note here is that the most valuable Choice Rewards, such as systemwide upgrades and award ticket rebates, will require significantly more Loyalty Points than before. While these could previously be earned with as little as 125,000 Loyalty Points, you’ll now have to earn at least 175,000 Loyalty Points.
Use credit cards to earn status and Loyalty Points without stepping on a plane
For the first time ever, it’s possible to earn valuable Choice Benefits from your couch.
American Airlines credit cards earn Loyalty Points at varying rates, with some even offering large bonuses after meeting annual spending thresholds. Take a look:
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Mastercard — 0.5 Loyalty Points per dollar spent CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® — 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spentCiti® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® — 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spentCiti® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® — 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent, plus 10,000 bonus Loyalty Points after spending $40,000 on purchases during the qualifying status yearAAdvantage® Aviator® Red Mastercard® — 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spentAAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard® — 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent, plus 5,000 bonus Loyalty Points after spending $20,000 on purchases, another 5,000 bonus Loyalty Points after spending $40,000 on purchases, and another 5,000 bonus Loyalty Points after spending $50,000+ during the qualifying status yearAAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® — 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent
With the exception of the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Mastercard (which has an extremely meager return rate), American Airlines cards will earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent. It’s important to note that even if you spend in a bonus category that offers 2 or 3 American Airlines miles per dollar, you’ll still only earn 1 Loyalty Point.
While not an option for many of us, a big spender with the right combination of cards could find themselves with 115,000 Loyalty Points after spending $90,000. In the best-case scenario, however, they’ll still have to spend $150,000 to earn meat-and-potatoes perks like systemwide upgrades.
On the other hand, there are a collection of other ways to earn Loyalty Points even faster — including booking your upcoming hotel stays through Rocketmiles instead of directly with the hotel. You’ll still need some pretty deep pockets to achieve 175,000 Loyalty Points, but you could conceivably achieve it after spending around $8,000 on hotel stays. If you find a high-earning hotel option that you can fit into your travel plans, this is far and away the fastest way to accrue Loyalty Points.
Bottom line
American Airlines is once again turning the AAdvantage program on its head. These changes will likely make those without elite status happy, while ruffling the feathers of top-tier elites.
Importantly, you can now reap all the benefits of every tier of elite status simply by swiping your American Airlines credit card — if you’ve got the ability to spend a lot. Small-business owners with significant expenses will likely benefit from this the most.