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New American Airlines AAdvantage perks are now live

Feb. 21, 2025
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3 min read
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
New American Airlines AAdvantage perks are now live
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There's some positive news for long-time American Airlines flyers: New lifetime elite levels and perks are now live.

As part of changes to the American Airlines AAdvantage program late last year, the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier announced some good news for elite travelers, including new Loyalty Point Rewards.

The airline also added new Million Miler levels and new rewards for achieving those milestones. As of Feb. 21, if you hit 4 million miles, you'll earn AAdvantage Platinum Pro status for life — and once you hit 5 million miles, you'll have lifetime AAdvantage Executive Platinum status.

American Airlines new lifetime status levels.
American Airlines' new lifetime status levels. AMERICAN AIRLINES

Prior to this, Million Milers with 1 million miles already achieved lifetime AAdvantage Gold status, and those who hit 2 million miles got lifetime AAdvantage Platinum status.

Right now, there's no additional status-level benefit at 3 million miles flown, but that could change in the future.

Every time you cross a million-mile threshold, you also get perks. At 1 million miles, you earn 35,000 AAdvantage miles, and at each million-mile marker beyond that, you get four systemwide upgrade certificates that can bump you up to business class on international flights.

Business-class cabin
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

"Folks who are gaining this will notice the change effective today in our AAdvantage® systems in their personal member accounts," American Airlines told TPG in a statement. "This new benefit was a direct answer to member requests for more recognition for their travel with American."

Related: Your guide to American Airlines Million Miler status

Systemwide upgrades have longer shelf life

American Airlines AAdvantage Systemwide Upgrade award tracker. AA.COM
American Airlines AAdvantage systemwide upgrade award tracker. AMERICAN AIRLINES

Another positive development is that systemwide upgrade certificates now have a longer shelf life. Previously, they expired one year after you picked them as a Loyalty Point Reward. As of Feb. 21, however, they are valid through March of the following status membership year.

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Related: How American Airlines sucked me back into AAdvantage with Loyalty Points

As you can see in the tracker above, the certificates I previously chose as rewards for my loyalty are now good for an additional three months.

American also extended any systemwide upgrades earned during the 2024 program year to March 31, 2026.

Last year, American added the ability to apply systemwide upgrades online, making these valuable upgrade instruments even better (though it would be nice to see more upgrade inventory availability, too).

Related reading:

Featured image by CLINT HENDERSON/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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  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    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.