New American Airlines AAdvantage perks are now live
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.
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.
"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
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.
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:
- Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
- American Airlines elite status: What it is and how to earn it
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- American Airlines basic economy: What you need to know about bags, seats, boarding and more
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 2X miles | Earn 2X miles per $1 on every purchase, everywhere |
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Pros
- Simple earning structure
- Bonus categories
- Annual credits
- No foreign transaction fees
- Flexible redemption options, including transfer partners
Cons
- Has an annual fee
- Fewer bonus categories than some competitors
- Lacks premium perks
- Limited-time offer: Earn up to 150,000 bonus miles—75,000 miles once you spend $7,500 in the first 3 months, and an additional 75,000 miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
- Receive up to $220 in credits: Receive an annual $50 travel credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel, up to an annual $50 statement credit for purchases at qualifying advertising or software merchants, plus up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® every four years. Terms and conditions apply
- Unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
- Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
- $95 annual fee
- Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
- Top rated mobile app