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Targeted AAdvantage members can now buy American status — at a hefty price
Kyle Olsen
Points and Miles Expert
Kyle Olsen is the former points and miles reporter at TPG. He specializes in maximizing points and miles, elite status and credit cards so readers travel more comfortably and at a lower cost.
May 05, 2023
•
2 min read
Targeted AAdvantage members can now buy American status — at a hefty price
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American Airlines has a new offer where targeted AAdvantage members can buy status through March 31, 2024, as reported by View From the Wing. To check your offer, visit this landing page.
In our tests, only select non-status holders are targeted for entry-level Gold status. And if you once held American status, data points indicated that you're more likely to be targeted.
Regardless, like the end-of-year buy-up, it's not cheap (at least in our surveyed accounts).
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While American doesn't indicate how it prices this offer, it's likely that the closer you are to the requirement of 40,000 Loyalty Points for AAdvantage Gold, the lower your status purchase price will be.
If you're targeted, you may be able to use AAdvantage miles to secure your status, though we don't recommend it. Using miles provides an underwhelming redemption rate of just 1 cent per mile in these examples. For reference, TPG values AAdvantage miles at 1.77 cents apiece.
As a reminder, American's Instant Status Pass may be a less expensive and potentially more rewarding way to earn AAdvantage status.
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It's also worth noting that any status available through this offer will only be valid through March 31, 2024. However, if you meet the standard requirements for Gold status by earning 40,000 Loyalty Points this year (March 1, 2023, through Feb. 29, 2024), you'd lock up those perks through March 31, 2025.
As a result, you're likely to do better by pushing for status the normal way — which includes spending on AA credit cards, shopping through the AAdvantage shopping portal and (of course) taking flights on American and its partner airlines.
Related reading:
- Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
- Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
- What is American Airlines elite status worth?
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- Everything you need to know about flying basic economy on American Airlines
Featured image by KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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