Summary
- American Airlines has introduced changes to AAdvantage loyalty program in 2024.
- While it might be expensive to achieve the highest status within the airline’s loyalty program, there are plenty of useful benefits.
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum members also receive benefits across the oneworld alliance, including lounge access and priority check-in.
Out of the four tiers the airline’s loyalty members can achieve, the Executive Platinum is the highest status of the American Airlines loyalty program, ‘AAdvantage.’ Other loyalty statuses include Platinum Pro, Platinum, and Gold.
Much like every airline’s offering, American Airlines passengers can achieve status by flying and/or collecting miles, including buying with the American Airlines AAdvantage credit cards, booking partner hotels through the AAdvantage Hotels platform, shopping online, or dining and paying with AAdvantage-linked credit or debit card.
On January 9, 2024, American Airlines introduced changes to its AAdvantage loyalty program, with changes being in effect from March 1. Members will be able to cancel even non-refundable economy class tickets, with certain conditions, and apply for an empty seat on a flight that is earlier in the day.
Further changes to the program will be coming later during the year, such as an extended trip credit (up to six months longer), one-day passes to Admirals Club, Flagship Lounge single visit passes, and holding flights for up to 24 hours without extra fees.
Loyalty Roundup: All The Changes To American Airlines’ AAdvantage Program In 2024
There are some small but important changes coming up in 2024 for all AAdvantage members.
To earn Executive Platinum status, a passenger has to have at least 200,000 loyalty points, which need to be earned from March 1 until the end of February of next year. One AAdvantage loyalty point is equal to one mile, and as mentioned above, points can also be earned while being on the ground.
1 oneworld alliance benefits
Benefits not offered for AAdvantage gold: 3
Benefits offered:
- Priority check-in, boarding, security
-
one
world partner lounge access -
one
world preferred or pre-saved seating - Complimentary bags
One of the more apparent benefits of AAdvantage Executive Platinum is that many benefits are available across the oneworld alliance, which American Airlines was a founding member of in February 1999. However, the airline pointed out that the oneworld benefits are only available on flights that are marketed and operated by a member airline, namely that the member carrier’s flight number is visible on a passenger’s ticket.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
The oneworld alliance will expand to 14 members, with Oman Air joining it sometime in the second half of 2024, adding another Middle Eastern hub to its network. Qatar Airways’ hub at Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH) is another hub in the region, with the airline sponsoring Oman Air’s bid to join oneworld.
Oman Air Is Expected To Join oneworld After June
It will be more than two years since Oman Air announced its intentions to join the oneworld alliance.
2 Airport benefits
Benefits not offered for AAdvantage gold: 2
Benefits offered:
- Priority check-in, boarding, security
- Three checked bags
- Same-day standby priority
- Complimentary same-day flight change
- Discounted Admirals Club membership
Naturally, American Airlines wants to make a passenger’s travel experience as smooth as possible, which is why the carrier offers its loyalty program members priority through several checkpoints at the airport, including security and boarding.
Photo: American Airlines
Further benefits include three free checked bags, priority bag delivery, same-day standby priority, complimentary same-day flight change, and a discounted Admirals Club membership. Some conditions are attached to the benefits. For example, AAdvantage Platinum members and above, can use the first class lane regardless of the type of ticket a passenger is flying with.
American Airlines Axes Free Checked Bag On International Basic Economy Tickets
The airline will now charge $75 for the first checked bag on basic economy tickets internationally.
3 Earlier upgrades
Benefits not offered for AAdvantage gold: 0 (76-hour difference)
Benefits offered:
- Unlimited and automatic upgrades
- Complimentary upgrade for one travel companion
- Upgrades confirmed 100 hours before the flight
AAdvantage status holders can all be upgraded, with the upgrades being auto-requested. Furthermore, one companion can be upgraded on a flight, whether they are booked on the same reservation or a different one, while they are traveling on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines.
Photo: Andrii Vodolazhskyi | Shutterstock
For Executive Platinum members, upgrades are confirmed as early as 100 hours before the flight, while Platinum Pro members can find out about the upgrade as early as 72 hours before their journey. Subsequent tiers are 48 hours and 24 hours.
However, upgrades will only be valid on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines, within and between the US, between the US and Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Central America. The upgrades are valid from the Main Cabin to the next class.
How To Upgrade On Your Next American Airlines Flight
Elite status is key when it comes to upgrades, but it’s not the only way.
4 Special service benefits
Benefits not offered for AAdvantage gold: 3 (4 if 24 hours before the flight)
Benefits offered:
- Exclusive service desk
- Complimentary preferred seats
- Complimentary Main Cabin Extra seats
- Guaranteed seat in Main Cabin
- Waitlist priority for purchased first or business class
- Complimentary sustenance in the Main Cabin
- Exclusive partner offers
Each AAdvantage status level has its service desk, with the company’s representatives assisting with various inquiries and requests, including reservations, upgrade purchases or requests, award claims, or AAdvantage account inquiries.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Furthermore, all status members have preferred and Mean Cabin Extra seat access. However, only Executive Platinum members get guaranteed availability in the Main Cabin, as well as a place in the waitlist priority for the next available seat and complimentary alcoholic beverage and snack in the Main Cabin, the equivalent of economy class on American Airlines.
Showdown: Which US Airline Has The Best Premium Economy Product?
The big three airlines have similar premium economy seat offerings.
5 Mileage bonuses
Benefits not offered for AAdvantage gold: 80% difference
Mileage bonus:
Executive Platinum members have by far the biggest mileage bonus difference out of the four loyalty statuses, with the highest echelon of the program offering a 120% bonus. Meanwhile, Platinum Pro, Platinum, and Gold get an 80%, 60%, and 40% bonus, respectively.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
Status members are also eligible to earn bonus miles on flight miles earned when traveling on partner airlines. The extra miles count toward earning Loyalty Points, which is helpful when trying to retain your status.
The list of eligible airlines includes Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, GOL, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, and Royal Jordanian.
The Different Tiers Of American Airlines’ AAdvantage Program
Earning status is an important part of the AAdvantage program for those that fly frequently.
-
American Airlines
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- AA/AAL
- Airline Type:
- Full Service Carrier
- Hub(s):
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Miami International Airport, New York JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Year Founded:
- 1926
- Alliance:
- oneworld
- CEO:
- Robert Isom
- Country:
- United States
- Airline Group:
- American Airlines Group
- Region:
- North America
- Loyalty Program:
- AAdvantage
