by Krish Patel

American Airlines AAdvantage is one of the largest frequent traveler airline programs, however, not all AAdvantage members have elite status. If you’re a frequent traveler with American Airlines or one of their OneWorld partners, you might want to consider earning elite status. Earning loyalty Points are the sole objective you should focus on towards achieving elite status with American Airlines. Having elite status includes certain benefits depending on which tier of status you have with the airline. 

The Basics of AAdvantage Elite Status

Elite status with American Airlines AAdvantage gives loyal members extra perks when flying the airline. These elite perks include free checked bags and complimentary upgrades. 

Unlike some other airline programs, where flying is the main objective towards earning elite status, AAdvantage allows you to earn Loyalty Points, which are required to achieve status. 

Here are some of the ways Loyalty Points can be earned:

• Online shopping through the AAdvantage Shopping Portal

• Dining Purchases

• Spending on a co-branded American Airlines credit card

• Fly American and their OneWorld partners

For every eligible AAdvantage mile that’s earned, you’ll earn one Loyalty Point. 

Different elite status tiers can be earned by accumulating a set amount of Loyalty Points in an elite-qualification year, which runs from March 1 through the end of February. The status that you’ve earned at the end of February each year will be valid until the end of the following March, when your Loyalty Points balance resets and you have another 12 months to requalify for status.

Elite Status Tiers

Excluding Concierge Key, which is a top-tier, invite-only level of status that’s unpublished, there are four tiers of American AAdvantage elite status. American Airlines is a member of the OneWorld Alliance, so each tier of elite status is either OneWorld Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald. 

The four published tiers of AAdvantage elite status are listed below in order from lowest to highest:

• AAdvantage Gold (OneWorld Ruby)

• AAdvantage Platinum (OneWorld Sapphire)

• AAdvantage Platinum Pro (OneWorld Emerald)

• AAdvantage Executive Platinum (OneWorld Emerald)

You’ll also earn Loyalty Point rewards after reaching specific thresholds. After earning just 15,000 Loyalty Points, you’ll earn your first Loyalty Points Rewards choice within the 12-month elite qualification period following March 1.  

How Do You Qualify for Elite Status with AAdvantage?

To qualify for American Airlines elite status, you’re going to need to earn the required amount of Loyalty Points for a specific tier in an elite qualification year. You’ll need to reach the following thresholds of Loyalty Points to qualify for status:

• AAdvantage Gold: 40,000 Loyalty Points

• AAdvantage Platinum: 75,000 Loyalty Points 

• AAdvantage Platinum Pro: 125,000 Loyalty Points

• AAdvantage Executive Platinum: 200,000 Loyalty Points

You can earn two types of American Airlines miles; base miles and bonus miles. Of the two types of miles, base miles also qualify as Loyalty Points. Base miles can be earned in a variety of ways, such as buying flight tickets from American and their partners (Iberia, British Airways, etc.), making purchases via the AAdvantage Shopping Portal, and by booking hotels through the AAdvantage Hotels portal. 

Elite Status Benefits with American Airlines

Having elite status with American Airlines gives you benefits that make traveling less stressful. The most notable benefits are listed below. 

Mileage Bonuses with Select Partner Airlines

American Airlines elite members get mileage bonuses when flying American and the following partner airlines:

• Alaska Airlines

• British Airways

• Japan Airlines

• GOL Airlines

• Cathay Pacific

• Finnair 

• Iberia

• Malaysia Airlines

• Qantas

• Qatar Airways

• Royal Jordanian

• Royal Air Maroc

Mileage bonuses are calculated based on the base miles earned on the flight, with different earning percentages for each status tier: 

• Gold: 40%

• Platinum: 60%

• Platinum Pro: 80%

• Executive Platinum: 120%

The best part is that mileage bonuses are considered base miles, meaning that you’ll earn Loyalty Points. As shown by the percentages above, it’s easier for higher elite members to reach the next threshold of status. 

Benefits on the Ground

Regardless of your tier of AAdvantage status, you’ll be able to enjoy priority check-in and boarding in groups one through four. Having priority improves your chances of finding more space available in the overhead bin for storing carry-on luggage. 

You’ll also be given complimentary checked bags through your status. Specifically, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum members get three free checked bags, while Platinum members get two free checked bags and Gold members get the first checked bag free. Top-tier Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum members get their bags tagged with a priority label, which means that their bags should be among the first to reach baggage reclaim upon arrival.    

Upgrades to Main Cabin Extra

Having elite status with American Airlines includes some valuable benefits that make traveling more smooth. The higher the status tier, the more benefits you’ll receive, however, some benefits are available to all tiers of elite status. 

On select flights marketed or operated by American, elite members get upgrades from Main Cabin to Main Cabin Extra, even if you’ve purchased an award ticket. These upgrades are unlimited, however, they’re based on availability and apply to U.S. domestic flights, as well as some select short-haul international flights. 

However, members with different levels of elite status get upgrades confirmed at different times. Executive Platinum members may have their upgrade confirmed 100 hours before departure, while Gold members might have their upgrade confirmed 24 hours before departure. 

Elite members with status and up to eight members on the same travel reservation can select Preferred seats without having to pay additional fees while or after booking. Preferred seats can be standard Main Cabin seats, but come with a more desirable location.

Is Having AAdvantage Elite Status Worth it?

For some travelers, having AAdvantage elite status is worth it. If you enjoy benefits such as priority check-in and boarding or fly American Airlines frequently for your travels, then it makes sense to try and reach an elite status threshold. 

An important factor to consider is how much you’ll use your AAdvantage elite perks and the cost of earning status. For example, if you’ll have to spend a lot through the shopping portal or on a co-branded card to earn Loyalty Points, then earning elite status might not be worth it. 

If you want a specific perk while traveling, then consider opening a credit card or flying in the premium cabins to enjoy more benefits. For those of you who value lounge access, then the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, while the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard provides other travel benefits at a lower annual fee. 

Earning elite status is a personal preference that’s up to you and it depends what benefits you’re looking for as a traveler.