Quick Points: Earn American AAdvantage status and Loyalty Points quickly with Oneworld partner flights
Starting next month, American Airlines will totally change the way to qualify for elite status.
With elite qualifying dollars, elite qualifying segments and elite qualifying miles on their way out, Loyalty Points will soon be the only way to qualify for elite status with American.
Although there are numerous ways to earn Loyalty Points, including ordering flowers and getting dental retainers, flying with American’s partners on tickets booked outside of aa.com is a clever way to maximize the accrual of Loyalty Points.
While you can book partner tickets on aa.com (indicated by an AA flight number/001 ticket number) and earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points as defined by the American mileage accrual chart, in most cases, you'll accrue fewer miles and Loyalty Points than you would if you booked directly with the partner. This is especially true for inexpensive premium cabin fares.
As a result, booking partner flights through their websites can help you earn AAdvantage status faster.
Case in point: booking a modestly priced international business class trip with Finnair instead of American.
The Finnair business-class sweet spot
As an airline that continues to develop its long-haul network, Finnair operates a solid international business-class product.
Whether you find yourself on Finnair's older Airbus A330-300s or its newer Airbus A350-900s, you’ll enjoy comfortable lie-flat seats with direct access to an aisle. At TPG, we’re big fans of this simple yet elegant product, especially since Finnair has some of the lowest-priced long-haul business-class flights available.
Even though it’s quite a distance to schlep, traveling to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) by way of Helsinki Airport (HEL) for $2,964.41 per person round-trip (all taxes and fees included) can be a solid deal, especially if your goal is earning elite status.
Assuming all entry requirements are met, traveling on this itinerary could result in a quarantine-free visit to Singapore thanks to its Vaccinated Traveler Lane program.
Not to mention, the AAdvantage earnings are impressive. The final AAdvantage mileage total for this "I" fare-class route (including cabin bonuses) converts to Loyalty Points at a 1:1 ratio. This means pretty massive Loyalty Points earnings given Los Angeles to Singapore via Helsinki clocks in at 22,752 miles round-trip.
American has confirmed that cabin bonuses earn bonus points on partner flights, but has yet to explicitly confirm that elite status bonuses count on partner flights. That said, we assume that these bonuses will count as Loyalty Points, given elite status bonuses count as Loyalty Points for AA-ticketed flights. We will know for sure when American officially launches Loyalty Points in March 2022.
Depending on your elite status level, you'll likely earn the following assuming elite status bonuses count as Loyalty Points:
- AAdvantage member: 28,440 AAdvantage miles + 28,440 Loyalty Points (22,752 base miles [distance flown] + 5,688 miles [cabin bonus]).
- AAdvantage Gold: 37,540 AAdvantage miles + 37,540 Loyalty Points (22,752 base miles [distance flown] + 5,688 miles [cabin bonus] + 9,100 miles [40% elite bonus]).
- AAdvantage Platinum: 42,091 AAdvantage miles + 42,091 Loyalty Points (22,752 base miles [distance flown] + 5,688 miles [cabin bonus] + 13,651 miles [60% elite bonus]).
- AAdvantage Platinum Pro: 46,642 AAdvantage miles + 46,642 Loyalty Points (22,752 base miles [distance flown] + 5,688 miles [cabin bonus] + 18,202 miles [80% elite bonus]).
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum: 55,526 AAdvantage miles + 55,526 Loyalty Points (22,752 base miles [distance flown] + 5,688 miles [cabin bonus] + 27,086 miles [120% elite bonus]).
If you purchase your ticket with an American cobranded credit card, you’ll earn 1 additional Loyalty Point per dollar spent, which equals an extra 2,964 Loyalty Points for this itinerary.
As a reminder, here are the Loyalty Points thresholds you need to meet to qualify for elite status:
- AAdvantage Gold: 30,000 Loyalty Points.
- AAdvantage Platinum: 75,000 Loyalty Points.
- AAdvantage Platinum Pro: 125,000 Loyalty Points.
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum: 200,000 Loyalty Points.
With this itinerary, a current Executive Platinum member would earn 25% of their way back to Executive Platinum status by spending less than $3,000.
Plus, AAdvantage miles can be redeemed for other partner flights worth twice as much as the value you'd get from them for American-operated flights. For example, the 50,054 AAdvantage miles you'd earn for this Finnair route as an Executive Platinum member are worth $885.96 based on TPG's AAdvantage miles valuation. But instead of cashing in those miles for an American flight, you could use 42,500 of them to travel from South Asia to Europe in Qatar’s new Qsuite business-class cabin, a journey that typically costs $2,000+.
Of course, you're not limited to Finnair flights either. You can earn this way with many of American's Oneworld partners, like British Airways, Iberia and Qantas.
Related: Status race is on: How 6 TPG staffers are already earning American Airlines Loyalty Points
Bottom line
By flying solely on American Airlines to requalify for Executive Platinum status, a current Executive Platinum member would need to spend at least $18,181 to earn 200,000 Loyalty Points. However, that dollar amount may drop if that same member chooses to fly with American's partners on inexpensive premium cabin tickets they book outside of aa.com.
Loyalty Points are American’s way of awarding status to the highest of spenders, but there are clearly shortcuts available to earn status quickly without spending as much money as you may initially expect.
Feature photo by Eric Rosen/The Points Guy.
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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.