Your guide to American Airlines Million Miler status
Editor's Note
If you frequently credit flights to the American Airlines AAdvantage program, you may be interested in learning what it takes to earn lifetime elite status with American.
In its recent updates to the AAdvantage program, American announced plans to add two new Million Miler tiers in 2025. So, let’s discuss the specifics of American Airlines Million Miler status, including how to earn it, what it gets you and how to check your progress toward this status.
How to earn American Airlines Million Miler status
If you want to earn American Airlines Million Miler status, know that only base miles earned by flying on American Airlines, American Eagle and any other eligible airline participating in the AAdvantage program count, according to the AAdvantage Million Miler program terms and conditions.
In short, you’ll need to fly many miles on American Airlines and its AAdvantage partners to earn Million Miler status. You can earn Loyalty Points toward American Airlines status through many methods — including spending on cobranded American Airlines credit cards, using the AAdvantage eShopping portal and using SimplyMiles offers. However, only base miles earned via flights count toward Million Miler status.
When looking through my recent flight activity, I found it wasn’t as simple as the base miles earned on flights counting toward Million Miler status. For example, on this American-operated and -marketed flight — for which AAdvantage calculated earnings based on the fare — my base miles were significantly lower than my Million Miler earnings. The flight distance was 4,965 miles, almost exactly what AAdvantage calculated as my Million Miler earnings.
Meanwhile, on this Japan Airlines-operated and -marketed flight — for which AAdvantage calculated my earnings based on distance — my base miles equaled my Million Miler earnings. Japan Airlines fares in the H class credit to AAdvantage at 70% of the flight distance (4,757 miles). This is how my base miles and Million Miler miles ended up at 3,339.
The AAdvantage Million Miler program terms and conditions state base miles are what matters when calculating Million Miler earnings. However, in practice, it’s your flight distance that matters. And for flights that post to AAdvantage based on distance, you’ll seemingly earn toward Million Miler status based on the percentage at which your fare class credits.
Related: How American Airlines sucked me back into AAdvantage with Loyalty Points
Benefits of American Airlines Million Miler status
The American Airlines Million Miler program currently has two tiers:
- 1,000,000 Million Miler miles: Lifetime AAdvantage Gold status and 35,000 AAdvantage bonus miles
- 2,000,000 Million Miler miles: Lifetime AAdvantage Platinum status and four one-way systemwide upgrades
As you keep flying with American Airlines and its partner airlines past the 2 million-mile mark, you’ll receive four additional one-way systemwide upgrades for each additional 1 million miles you earn.
As mentioned above, AAdvantage will add two new tiers to its Million Miler program starting March 1, 2025:
- 4,000,000 Million Miler miles: Lifetime AAdvantage Platinum Pro status
- 5,000,000 Million Miler miles: Lifetime AAdvantage Executive Platinum status
If you've already accrued 4 million or 5 million miles, your new status will reflect in your account on or around March 1, 2025.
Related: So, what exactly is elite status in travel — and how can I get it?
How to check your American Airlines Million Miler progress
American AAdvantage makes it easy to check your Million Miler progress. Log in to your account and click on your name in the upper right-hand corner. Select your personal account if you have both a personal and an AAdvantage Business account, and then click “Activity” on the navigation bar on the left. After doing so, a page with your current Loyalty Point balance and Million Miler balance will show.
You can scroll down and select an individual activity to see how AAdvantage posted its earnings. You can also check your activity and Million Miler progress within the American Airlines app.
Related: Is it worth pursuing lifetime elite status?
Bottom line
Even with the two new tiers coming in March 2025, the American Airlines Million Miler program is still underwhelming compared to United Airlines Million Miler and Delta Air Lines Million Miler status. United and Delta offer lifetime Gold status — which isn’t the lowest elite status in either program — to members who reach the 1 million-mile threshold. Meanwhile, American offers lifetime status in its lowest elite tier (Gold) and 35,000 redeemable miles.
But, as a frequent traveler who is nearing Million Miler status with AAdvantage, it’s a carrot to keep me engaged with the program. I considered switching my Oneworld loyalty to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan to earn toward elite status on award flights. As of now, though, I plan to stick with AAdvantage for at least one more elite-qualifying year. This way, I can reach Million Miler status and earn lifetime AAdvantage Gold status.
If AAdvantage doesn’t change the benefits at its Gold tier, then lifetime AAdvantage Gold status will give me a free checked bag, priority check-in and boarding, preferred seats at booking, Main Cabin Extra seats at check-in, and Oneworld Ruby status. These benefits will be useful even if my travel decreases or my loyalty changes.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended 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.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.