American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, and its AAdvantage loyalty program is popular with many travelers. The program has undergone some changes over the years, but there are still plenty of ways to get value from it.
One of the benefits of being a member of the AAdvantage program is that you can earn and redeem miles with American Airlines’ partners. American is part of the Oneworld alliance, which includes airlines such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas. When flying with these partner airlines, American elite members often receive benefits like lounge access and extra baggage allowance.
In addition to Oneworld partners, American Airlines also has partnerships with several airlines outside of the alliance, including Aer Lingus, Etihad Airways, and JetBlue. Each partner has its own criteria for earning and redeeming miles, so it’s important to review the specific partner page for details.
American AAdvantage offers four levels of elite status: Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum. Elite status is now based on earning Loyalty Points, which can be earned through various activities in the AAdvantage program, including flying, spending on American Airlines cobranded credit cards, shopping through online portals, and dining. The number of Loyalty Points required for each elite status tier varies, with Executive Platinum requiring the highest number of points.
Each elite status tier comes with its own set of benefits, including mileage bonuses, complimentary seat upgrades, and free checked bags. Elite members also receive Oneworld status, which provides perks when flying on other Oneworld airlines.
Even if you don’t have elite status, there are still perks to being an AAdvantage member. American Airlines recently announced several exclusive benefits for AAdvantage members, including the ability to voluntarily cancel basic economy tickets for a partial travel credit, complimentary 24-hour ticket holds, and the ability to purchase single-use Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge entry.
There are multiple ways to earn AAdvantage miles. Flying on American Airlines and its partners is one way to earn miles, with the number of miles earned varying based on your ticket price and elite status. American Airlines credit cards are another way to earn miles, with different cards offering various sign-up bonuses and bonus category earnings.
In conclusion, the American AAdvantage loyalty program offers a range of benefits and opportunities to earn and redeem miles. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional traveler, there are plenty of ways to get value from the program and make the most of your travel experiences with American Airlines and its partners.