American Airlines has officially launched an updated AAdvantage program, designed to reward members with enhanced benefits and make it easier to earn status.
At the center of this new approach is Loyalty Points, the only metric that, starting March 1, AAdvantage members need to track to earn status. This single-point system, in which one qualifying AAdvantage mile earned equals one Loyalty Point, positions the AAdvantage program as the largest airline loyalty program that will not require members to track miles, dollars and/or flight segments to earn status.
“The past few years have taught us that loyalty is not one-size-fits all—it comes in different forms,” said Alison Taylor, American’s chief customer officer, in a press note. “We recognize the path to earning status is different for each individual, which is why we’re giving members more ways to earn Loyalty Points—whether by flying, shopping or using an AAdvantage credit card. We want to make it easier for our customers to achieve status wherever they may be in their travel journey.”
In March, AAdvantage members will have access to an updated online AAdvantage Status Estimator to help project their status qualification from flying and shopping. For every qualifying AAdvantage mile earned, members receive one Loyalty Point. Members have been accruing Loyalty Points since January 1. Also, in March, members will see their progress toward status with Loyalty Points within their AAdvantage account on aa.com and the American Airlines app.
AAdvantage 2022 status requirements
| Status | Loyalty Points |
| AAdvantage Gold | 30,000 |
| AAdvantage Platinum | 75,000 |
| AAdvantage Platinum Pro | 125,000 |
| AAdvantage Executive Platinum | 200,000 |
Once a member achieves a status level, their enhanced travel experience and status will be valid through March 31 of the following year.
To elevate the travel experience for all status members, American is expanding complimentary upgrade access for AAdvantage Gold and AAdvantage Platinum members to include all flights on American within North America regardless of the flight distance. For travel starting March 2, an upgrade will automatically be requested if everyone in the reservation is eligible for a complimentary upgrade. Members will only need to use 500-mile upgrades if they want to upgrade travel companions who do not hold AAdvantage status.
Later this year, American will extend complimentary upgrades to one companion traveling on the same flight as the status member. At that time, all existing 500-mile upgrades in members’ accounts will each convert to 250 Loyalty Points toward the 2022 status qualification period.
Earning miles is also easier now. AAdvantage members earn miles when they fly on American, the oneworld Alliance carriers and other eligible airlines like JetBlue. With the recently announced exclusive partnership with GOL, Brazil’s largest airline, American continues to expand opportunities for AAdvantage members to earn, redeem and enjoy reciprocal benefits across its global network.
Members also earn miles from everyday spending with the AAdvantage eShopping, SimplyMiles and AAdvantage Dining programs, booking hotels and rental cars with AAdvantage partners, as well as purchases made with an AAdvantage credit card.
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