American is sending out status buy-up offers: Here's why you should probably skip it
As the Feb. 28 deadline to qualify for American Airlines AAdvantage status rapidly approaches, you might have the opportunity to buy your way to American Airlines status.
You can visit this landing page and sign in to your AAdvantage account to see if your account is eligible for a targeted buy-up offer.
Like United's option for buying up to status, these offers aren't cheap (at least in our surveyed accounts). American may allow you to use your miles to buy up for status. Using your miles to buy up to status, you'll get a redemption rate of just 1 cent per mile — roughly 45% below TPG's valuation of American miles.
Here's a closer look at the specific offers we found.
Gold to Platinum
One TPG staffer was offered Platinum status for $1,185 or 118,500 miles. AAdvantage Platinum includes several benefits above his current AAdvantage Gold status. Some noteworthy Platinum benefits include Main Cabin Extra seating at the time of booking, Oneworld business-class lounge access on most international flights and 48-hour upgrade priority on some American and Alaska Airlines flights.
This was one of the least expensive offers, but this AAdvantage member is only about 7,000 Loyalty Points short of Platinum status. He's qualified for AAdvantage Gold status, and he'll earn the 7,000 Loyalty Points from an upcoming Rocketmiles stay, which, presumably, is less than $1,185.
That will give him Platinum status through Feb. 29, 2024.
Platinum to Platinum Pro
Platinum Pro status requires 125,000 Loyalty Points. The first data point, from a TPG staffer, offers a buy-up from Platinum to Platinum Pro for $2,279 or 228,000 miles. This staffer is currently around 15,000 Loyalty Points short of Platinum Pro.
The second screenshot is from a TPG reader who is around 25,000 Loyalty Points short of Platinum Pro. As you would expect, his buy-up offer is more expensive.
Platinum Pro includes increased upgrade priority, three complimentary checked bags and Oneworld Emerald, which offers benefits like first-class Oneworld lounge access on most international flights.
Both of these readers have already qualified for Platinum status through Feb. 29, 2024 but will likely not be earning Platinum Pro.
Related: Chasing American Airlines elite status? Here are 14 ways to earn Loyalty Points
Platinum Pro to Executive Platinum
Finally, American Airlines offered two TPG staffers a buy-up from Platinum Pro to Executive Platinum status. Both of these staffers have already qualified for Platinum Pro status through Feb. 29, 2024. These offers would upgrade that to Executive Platinum through March 31, 2024.
In the first case, a TPG staffer is around 40,000 Loyalty Points short of the 200,000 Loyalty Points required for Executive Platinum. Her offer is $2,319 or 232,000 miles.
But here's a curve ball — in the second offer, a TPG staffer is around 30,000 Loyalty Points short of Executive Platinum status. American offered him Executive Platinum for $3,379 or 338,000 miles. That's more expensive than the first offer, and he has more Loyalty Points.
So if you're closer to status, your offer might not be less expensive.
Some benefits of Executive Platinum status include upgrades confirmed as early as 100 hours before departure (on some flights), complimentary upgrades on award tickets (on some flights) and a complimentary snack and drink when traveling in economy class.
Related: The best credit cards to reach elite status in 2023
Lots of accounts aren't targeted
Across the TPG staff, many of us weren't targeted for status buy-up offers. This includes staffers currently enrolled in the Instant Status Pass (including the November World of Hyatt status challenge).
Additionally, staffers who don't currently hold American Airlines status were not given targeted offers to buy up to entry-level AAdvantage Gold.
Bottom line
You might be able to buy up to American Airlines status, but it's almost certain to be expensive. Of all American's status tiers, the jump from AAdvantage Gold to Platinum is perhaps the most noticeable. Platinum members receive many of the same perks as top-tier Executive Platinum members, including complimentary Main Cabin Extra seating and Oneworld business-class lounge access on most international flights.
If you need more Loyalty Points before Feb. 28 and don't want to buy up with one of these promotions, check out this article for six quick and easy ways to earn Loyalty Points.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
| 4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
| 2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.
Rewards Rate
| 6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
| 4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
| 2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.Earn 125,000 points75,000 pointsAnnual Fee
$125Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.