How to earn American Airlines loyalty points?

Beyond the Basics: American Airlines Elite Status Explained 

American Airlines rewards its frequent flyers and its loyal customers with its loyalty program, AAdvantage. The airline's loyalty program is the largest in the world with more than 110 million members. AAdvantage was launched on May 1, 1981, and was the second loyalty program in the world. Members of AAdvantage can redeem points, called miles, that they earn with every travel plan with the airline and its partner airlines. The program is meant to benefit all members and to assess their level each year. If you travel with American Airlines frequently, it is best to join their loyalty program, AAdvantage. To learn more about AAdvantage, including its benefits, loyalty points, and miles, this post will be your guide.

What are American Airlines' AAdvantage Tiers?

American Airlines' AAdvantage offers plenty of services to its members. The services are further subcategorized into tiers, from basic to premium. There are five AAdvantage membership levels: Standard, Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum. American Airlines Elite status is earned and renewed annually, from March through the end of February, based on loyalty points earned. The standard tier is offered when you join the membership and serves as the base level.

1. AAdvantage Gold: To join the AAdvantage Gold, you must acquire 40,000 loyalty points. This tier is above the standard tier and provides airport and in-flight services. With the gold membership, you will earn 40% more mileage bonus and loyalty points on the eligible flights.

• Get the priority check-in, boarding, and security services.
• Enjoy the complimentary upgrades 24 hours before departure on eligible seats. 
• Book the complimentary preferred seats at the time of reservation.
• Get more space at the complimentary main cabin extra seat.
• Complete the boarding in Group 4.
• Your first checked bag and the other 8 companions' first checked bags are free. 
• Get a higher standby priority as a member.
• Dedicated AAdvantage Gold service desk for assistance.
• Get Oneworld Ruby Status and the added services.
• Special discounted rates at the Admirals Club

2. AAdvantage Platinum: The platinum status of AAdvantage requires 75,000 loyalty points and also confers a 60% mileage bonus to all airline segments, with a 500-mile minimum on each segment. You will get a bunch of upgraded services from Gold status, such as the following:

• Enjoy the priority check-in and baggage handling at the airport.
• Use the priority lane and board with Group 3. 
• Get a complimentary same-day standby. 
• Significant and special discounts for the Admirals Club membership. 
• Two free checked bags for you and your companions. 
• You will get complimentary preferred seats and main cabin extra seats. 
• Get the complimentary upgrades 48 hours before the flight departure. 
• Update your Oneworld status to Sapphire and get more benefits. 
• Reach the AAdvantage Platinum Status service desk. 

3. AAdvantage Platinum Pro: To acquire the AAdvantage Platinum Pro status level, you must have 125,000 loyalty points. With the updated status, you will also receive an 80% mileage bonus on all flown segments with the airline, and a minimum of 500 miles per segment. From the many services, here are some of them: 

• Use the complimentary upgrades for 72 hours for you and another companion before the flight departure. 
• You and your companion can each check 3 bags. 
• Complete the boarding with Group 2. 
• Get the priority baggage handling and check-in services. 
• Pick the complimentary preferred seats and the main cabin extra seat at the time of reservation. 
• Use the high standby priority on the flights. 
• Earn the Oneworld Emerald Status and get more benefits. 
• Get assistance from the AAdvantage Platinum Pro Status service desk. 
• More discounts for the Admiral Club. 

4. AAdvantage Executive Platinum: You can join the highest tier of AAdvantage by acquiring 200,000 loyalty points. With the membership, you will get 120% bonus miles on every flight you take with them, with a minimum of 500 miles per segment. The services included are premium and the best of all the tiers. 

• You get a 100-hour upgrade window to the airline's premium cabins. 
• You and your travel companion get 3 free checked bags. 
• Enjoy the complimentary preferred seats and the main cabin extra seats upon reservation. 
• Use the same-day flight change and priority standby service. 
• Fast-track check-in, security, and baggage handling. 
• Savour the complimentary meal and the drinks at the main cabin. 
• No blackout day for you at the main cabin. 
• Get the waitlist priority for the first or the business class. 
• Update to the Oneworld Emerald Status. 
• Reach out to the AAdvantage Executive Platinum status service desk. 
• Get a special discounted price on the Admirals Club membership
• More offers and discounts with the AAdvantage partners. 

Which Other Airlines are the American Airlines AAdvantage Partners?

Since American Airlines is a member of the Oneworld Alliance, it provides you with many services and benefits from all the other members of the alliance as well. The elite members of American Airlines can get some benefits from Oneworld alliance airlines, but all the members of AAdvantage can earn and redeem miles from these airlines. When you fly with the Oneworld alliance airlines other than American Airlines, you will also earn miles and points. Below are the Oneworld Alliance airlines that will help you gain and collect American Airlines miles:

• Alaska Airlines
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• Fiji Airways
• Finnair
• Iberia
• Japan Airlines
• Malaysia Airlines
• Oman Air
• Qantas 
• Qatar Airways
• Royal Air Maroc
• Royal Jordanian Airlines 
• Srilankan Airlines

There are more airlines that are not part of the Oneworld alliance but are partners with American Airlines' AAdvantage program. On your flight booking with them, you will have access to all the services the program offers. These airlines will also cater to your needs and provide you with benefits when you fly with them:

• Aer Lingus
• Air Tahiti Nui
• Cape Air
• China Southern Airlines
• Etihad Airways
• GOL Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• IndiGo
• JetSMART
• LEVEL
• Porter Airlines

How to Join the American Airlines' AAdvantage?

The best thing for a frequent flyer of American Airlines is the loyalty program. You can reap many benefits and make your flight experience luxurious and comfortable. You can join AAdvantage online or contact an airline representative for assistance. If you haven't already joined the American Airlines' AAdvantage, then don't wait and join now by following the quick and easy steps provided below: 

• Visit the official website of American Airlines. 
• Click on AAdvantage at the top of the panel. 
• Select the Join AAdvantage option. 
• Enter your personal, residential, and contact-related information. 
• Submit the form to create an account. 

Conclusion: By now, you know that you deserve more from your travel experience than you think, and American Airlines serves you that. To make your travel more comfortable and also get through the long queues without waiting, you should join the American Airlines loyalty program, AAdvantage. Before joining, stay up to date on the basics of AAdvantage with this post. Join AAdvantage and enjoy the best flight experience with American Airlines. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I board the flight early with my American Airlines AAdvantage membership?

Yes, you will have priority boarding within the early boarding groups with your American Airlines AAdvantage membership. 

2. When will I qualify for an American Airlines AAdvantage tier upgrade?

American Airlines assesses AAdvantage loyalty points annually to upgrade the qualifying members to the higher tier. 

3. Can my partner also get the free checked bags with my American Airlines AAdvantage membership?

Yes, your travel companion will also get the free checked bag service when flying with you with the American Airlines AAdvantage membership. 

4. Can I transfer my American Airlines AAdvantage miles to another member?

Yes, you can transfer your American Airlines AAdvantage miles to another member. 

5. Is there an expiration date for the American Airlines AAdvantage miles?

Yes, American Airlines AAdvantage miles expire after 24 months of inactivity.