The American Airlines AAdvantage program was only the second-ever airline loyalty program, and to date, it is the largest in the industry. Membership in AAdvantage, of course, grants the ability to earn miles with your flights, miles which can then be redeemed for flights or upgrades. Unlike at Delta and United, American Airlines tickets can only be booked fully in miles or in cash, and similar to competitors, AAdvantage miles can also be used to redeem for other travel services, such as rental cars or experiences.

Within the AAdvantage program are four standard tiers (along with the invitation-only ConciergeKey status). AAdvantage Gold is the entry-level elite tier, which grants members additional benefits to enhance the travel experience, but these are relatively basic perks. Instead, the next highest tier, Platinum, offers significantly more benefits that offer a truly differentiated experience. Although the requirements to reach Platinum status are much higher, it delivers significantly more value to reward its eligible members.

Overview Of The AAdvantage Status Tiers

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The AAdvantage program has four tiers for elite members: AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum Pro, and AAdvantage Executive Platinum. Each one requires Loyalty Points to achieve, with AAdvantage Gold requiring the least amount of Loyalty Points (40,000 Loyalty Points), while AAdvantage Executive Platinum requires 200,000 Loyalty Points. AAdvantage Platinum Pro requires 125,000 Loyalty Points, while AAdvantage Platinum requires 75,000 Loyalty Points.

Loyalty Points are another currency within the AAdvantage program, comparable to Delta’s Medallion Qualifying Dollars or United’s Premier Qualifying Points. They’re generally earned together with miles, and one mile earns one Loyalty Point, although not all miles are eligible to earn Loyalty Points, such as bonus miles from credit card sign-up bonuses. Notably, the AAdvantage program does not have a minimum flight requirement to earn status, meaning that elite tiers could be achieved purely from credit card spending.

The best way to maximize value out of the AAdvantage program is to earn elite status while also using one of American’s credit cards. American offers five credit cards, issued by Citibank (and formerly by Barclays as well), one of which is targeted towards business owners. Each one offers superior benefits compared to the last, but also comes with a higher annual fee. In addition to benefits like priority boarding, American’s credit cards earn extra miles on various categories, in addition to the standard earn rate of one mile for every dollar spent.

AAdvantage Benefits On The Ground

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American begins differentiating the travel for elite members on the ground. AAdvantage Platinum members receive access to Priority check-in, which is also shared with AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum Pro, and AAdvantage Executive Platinum. In addition, these are the same lanes used by first and business class travelers. In addition, select airports offer dedicated security lanes, which are also shared with premium cabin passengers, as well as other AAdvantage elite members.

Furthermore, all AAdvantage elite members receive Priority boarding, but this is differentiated by tier. Platinum members are sorted into boarding group three, which is also shared with oneworld Sapphire members. Platinum Pro members are sorted into group two, while Executive Platinum holders board in group one. Meanwhile, Gold members board in group four, which is shared with premium economy passengers, Citi / AAdvantage Executive cardholders, and passengers who purchase Priority boarding.

AAdvantage Platinum members are not entitled to access the Admirals Club, but discounted rates are offered. When traveling abroad, however, Platinum members are granted access to most business class lounges operated by oneworld alliance members. This is because AAdvantage Platinum also comes with oneworld Sapphire, an elite tier equivalent to Star Alliance Gold or SkyTeam Elite Plus. In addition, AAdvantage Platinum members receive access to American’s Flagship Lounges when ticketed on a long-haul flight.

Flight Benefits With AAdvantage Platinum

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All AAdvantage elite members are placed on the complimentary upgrade list for flights within North America. This includes domestic flights, as well as international flights to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America, and are valid from economy or premium economy to domestic first or Flagship Business class. Upgrades are not available from Flagship Business to Flagship First. Not only do AAdvantage members receive upgrades on American, but they are also entitled to be upgraded on Alaska Airlines flights.

AAdvantage Platinum members are added to the upgrade list 48 hours before departure. Upgrades can be applied to both revenue and award tickets, with passengers being prioritized by their elite status and then by their 12-month rolling total of Loyalty Points. For Platinum members who don’t get cleared, American offers complimentary Preferred seating and Main Cabin Extra seats at booking. Main Cabin Extra is American’s extra legroom section, and this benefit applies to all American flights.

While upgrades are becoming increasingly scarce, as American and its peers sell more of their first class seats, guaranteeing Main Cabin Extra seating to Platinum members makes the tier highly lucrative, as the added legroom can significantly improve onboard comfort. In addition, Platinum members receive two complimentary checked bags, whereas Gold members only receive one. Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum members receive three complimentary checked bags. These bags also receive Priority tags.

Operational Benefits With AAdvantage Platinum

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One of the major benefits of holding higher elite tiers is the operational advantages. American Airlines’ standby list is prioritized based on elite status, and this means that Platinum members rank ahead of non-elite AAdvantage members as well as AAdvantage Gold members. Of course, AAdvantage Platinum members do rank behind Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum on the standby list. This is a major benefit for those who require flexibility during travel, or during irregular operations where flights are delayed/cancelled.

In addition, AAdvantage Platinum members receive access to a dedicated phone line. This is most useful during irregular operations, when call volumes are high and rebooking flights can be extremely difficult. Rather uniquely, American Airlines provides unique phone numbers for each of its elite tiers, but they largely exist as a relic today. All numbers lead to the same service desk for elite members, and you can also be routed to an appropriate agent by calling American’s standard customer service number, as American’s computer systems are designed to recognize elite members by their phone numbers.

Although you’re not reaching a dedicated agent today, American’s phone systems do prioritize elite members, including AAdvantage Platinum members, which greatly expedites service. Traveling during irregular operations can be incredibly stressful, and many customers can experience significant disruptions during events like hazardous weather. As such, the standby priority and superior phone service make dealing with such issues far easier for AAdvantage Platinum members.

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AAdvantage And Alliance Program Benefits

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One benefit of being an AAdvantage elite member is earning extra miles, and this increases with higher status tiers. With AAdvantage Platinum, you earn a 60% bonus on all miles earned when traveling with American Airlines or select partner carriers. In addition, this 60% bonus also applies to Loyalty Points, which is perhaps even more lucrative. This means that it’s far easier to maintain AAdvantage Platinum status and work towards Platinum Pro status. Platinum Pro status earns an 80% bonus, while Executive Platinum status earns a 120% bonus.

With AAdvantage Platinum status comes oneworld Sapphire status, the alliance’s mid-level status tier. Unlike Star Alliance and SkyTeam, which have two elite tiers, oneworld has three, with oneworld Sapphire being equivalent to the top status at the other two alliances. But although there is a tier above it (Emerald), oneworld Sapphire is highly valuable as it provides an abundant number of benefits to those who hold it. This includes, for instance, priority boarding and check-in when traveling with any oneworld airline.

In addition to receiving Flagship Lounge access, AAdvantage Platinum members receive access to most business class lounges operated by oneworld carriers. Many oneworld airlines will also waive certain fees, like those for seat selection, along with additional baggage allowances. Furthermore, oneworld Sapphire status gives priority on standby lists. While oneworld Sapphire gives AAdvantage Platinum members benefits with other oneworld airlines, Platinum members also receive reciprocal benefits when flying with Alaska Airlines.