American Airlines Increases Elite Qualification Requirements, Slashes Special Fare Shortcut
If there's one constant across the US airlines, it's copycat syndrome — whether that's restricting lounge access, rolling out basic economy or increasing checked baggage fees. And this condition flared up yet again today, as American Airlines matches Delta and United in elite-qualifying spending requirements while slashing one of the few remaining shortcuts to reaching elite status.
Increase Spending Requirement for Executive Platinum Status
Coming right on the heels of AA upping the spending requirement for its invitation-only Concierge Key elite status, American Airlines announced today that the spending requirement for earning Executive Platinum will be 15,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars starting in 2019. This means that would-be top-tier elites will need to spend an additional $3,000 — plus taxes and fees — to achieve the same status as before. The Elite Qualifying Miles and Elite Qualifying Segment requirements are remaining unchanged at 100,000 EQMs and 120 EQSs.
United made this same $3,000 increase for its top-tier 1K elite status in late September, while Delta has required 15,000 Medallion Qualifying Dollars since 2015.
American Airlines has confirmed that there will be no changes to Gold, Platinum and Platinum Pro elite qualifications in 2019.
Additional Benefits at Elite-Qualifying Mile Thresholds
While making it harder to reach Executive Platinum status, American Airlines is also increasing the benefits for its most frequent flyers. Starting in 2019, members who qualify for AAdvantage Executive Platinum status will be able to start choosing additional rewards when they reach 150k, 200k and 250k EQM thresholds.
At 150,000 EQM, elites will have the choice between:
- Two additional Systemwide Upgrades (making 6 awarded for the year)
- 40,000 bonus award miles ($560 at current TPG valuations)
- Gift Gold elite status (valued at $970 assuming 30,000 miles flown with the status)
At both 200,000 and 250,000 EQM, elites will have the choice between:
- Two additional systemwide upgrades
- 40,000 bonus award miles
- Gift Platinum elite status (valued at $2,185 assuming 60,000 miles flown with the status)
This means that elites that reach 250,000 EQMs in 2019 will automatically be able to get as many as ten Systemwide Upgrades. Currently, Executive Platinum elites get four at requalification plus two at 150k EQM and another two at 200k EQM (for a maximum of eight).
Earning Changes
American Airlines is announcing two changes to the earning front, though the exact impact of the changes hasn't gone live yet, and AA was light on details in the announcement. Here's what we know so far:
- Partners: According to the announcement, American Airlines is "improving the amount of EQMs members will earn when flying on one of our transatlantic or transpacific joint business partners — British Airways, Iberia, Finnair and Japan Airlines." The changes haven't gone live yet, but we will update you when we learn the details.
- Full-fare Economy: American Airlines full-fare (Y) economy fares currently earn 1.5 Elite Qualifying Miles per mile flown. AA is dropping this to 1 EQM for 2019 flights. This will mean that all American Airlines-marketed economy flights — except Basic Economy — will earn 1 EQM per mile flown. Basic Economy earns 50% of flight miles as EQMs.
Special Fare Changes
One of my favorite ways of reaching American Airlines' Elite Qualifying Dollar requirement without spending $12,000 is by utilizing Special Fares. Anytime that an American Airlines economy flight costs less than 10 cents per mile, I'd book the flight through a portal or AA Vacations to earn 10% of flight miles as EQDs. For example, when I "flew across the country for a loaf of bread" earlier this year, I earned 483 EQDs from a $105 round-trip fare that would've otherwise earned 60 EQD (after subtracting taxes and fees from the base fare).
Now, this shortcut is being slashed. Starting in 2019, the cheapest (booking codes Q, O and B) Special Fares will earn just 5% of flight miles as EQDs and 25% of flight miles as award miles. Both of these rates are half of the current earnings.
However, if you're booking expensive Special Fares, there's good news. The EQD rate for Special Fares in three-cabin first class and full-fare business (which includes domestic first class) is increasing from 30% to 40% of the miles flown. Meanwhile, class of service bonuses for these fares are doubling from 50% to 100% of miles flown.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees