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American Airlines credit card spending now earns Loyalty Points based on purchase date

Dec. 07, 2023
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3 min read
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American Airlines credit card spending now earns Loyalty Points based on purchase date
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Editor's Note

Some readers are reporting credit card purchases are posting to their AAdvantage accounts in March as "miles only." This is because AAdvantage will post Loyalty Points from credit card purchases to the previous qualification year and miles to the current qualification year.

Cobranded American Airlines credit cards let you earn American miles and Loyalty Points when you make purchases with your card. But on Wednesday, Dec. 6, I got an email from the American Airlines AAdvantage program titled "Reaching AAdvantage® status with your credit card." The highlight of the email is displayed under the "What has changed?" heading:



The Loyalty Points you earn on AAdvantage® credit card* purchases between March 1 and the end of February of the following year count toward the current status qualification year. This means you can earn Loyalty Points through February 29, 2024, instead of your last statement close date of the qualification year.

The asterisk in the above statement from the email notes that "For AAdvantage® credit cards issued outside of the U.S., Loyalty Point earn will continue to count based on the date the activity posts to the primary cardmember's AAdvantage® account." So, this news is only relevant for American Airlines loyalists with credit cards issued in the U.S.

American Airlines credit card elite status changes

Email from American AAdvantage
EMAIL FROM THE AMERICAN AIRLINES AADVANTAGE PROGRAM

Loyalty Points from AAdvantage credit card spending will now count toward status based on the date of your purchase instead of the date your credit card statement closes. Therefore, purchases that post to your AAdvantage credit card account by Feb. 29, 2024, will count toward the 2024 qualification year. The 2024 qualification year runs from March 1, 2023, to Feb. 29, 2024, and AAdvantage status earned during the 2024 qualification year will run through March 31, 2025.

However, AAdvantage says it may take up to 10 weeks after your credit card statement closes for miles and Loyalty Points to post to your AAdvantage account. So, the Loyalty Points balance you see on Feb. 29, 2024, may not include all the Loyalty Points you'll earn for the 2024 qualification year.

On March 1, your 2025 qualification year will begin, and your Loyalty Point balance will reset to zero. However, your Loyalty Point balance for your 2024 qualification year — which you likely won't be able to see in your AAdvantage account after the end of February — may still grow as miles and Loyalty points from credit card purchases on or before Feb. 29, 2024, post to your AAdvantage account.

Related: Last-minute strategies for earning American AAdvantage elite status

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Bottom line

This is good news for AAdvantage cardholders who want all their purchases in February to count toward their 2024 American Airlines elite status qualification year. However, this news also means you may want to delay big purchases with AAdvantage credit cards until March 1 or later (instead of waiting until your February credit card statement closes) if you don't need more Loyalty Points for the 2024 qualification year.

I'll still do any credit card spending for the final Loyalty Points I'll need for AAdvantage Platinum Pro status — requalifying for AAdvantage Executive Platinum status isn't important for me anymore — in January. After all, I'll feel more confident if my Loyalty Point balance on Feb. 29, 2024, shows 125,000 Loyalty Points or higher. Still, this American Airlines credit card elite status change may really help consumers who need more time to spend on AAdvantage cards for the 2024 qualification year.

Featured image by URBAZON/GETTY IMAGES
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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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

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  • Recommended Credit

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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.