American Airlines won't raise elite thresholds in 2025, but other changes are coming
American Airlines has some positive updates for its AAdvantage loyalty program members.
On Dec. 12, the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier announced its annual loyalty changes that'll come into effect during the 2025 membership year, and the good news is that things are only getting better.
Here's everything you need to know about American's loyalty plans for 2025.
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No changes to status thresholds
Great news for those on the elite status hamster wheel: American won't be changing the thresholds needed to attain status and earn Loyalty Point Rewards.
American's status year runs from March 1, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026, and you'll need to earn the following number of Loyalty Points during that time period to attain or requalify for status.
- Gold: 40,000 Loyalty Points
- Platinum: 75,000 Loyalty Points
- Platinum Pro: 125,000 Loyalty Points
- Executive Platinum: 200,000 Loyalty Points
Last year, American introduced some new Loyalty Point Rewards, and those are all coming back for the 2025 program year.
It's interesting that American is emphasizing that it's not moving the goalposts for status, especially in a year when a chief competitor, United, announced that it'll make it much harder to earn status. (Delta already made it even harder to attain Medallion status last year.)
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At some point, I'd imagine that American will copy its competitors, but 2025 won't be that year.
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More Loyalty Point Rewards
In addition to enjoying the benefits of status, American's Loyalty Point Rewards program lets travelers pick their favorite perks as they rise the elite ranks.
Historically, popular choices have included systemwide upgrades and bonus miles, and while those picks are returning next year, the Loyalty Point Rewards will also include a few new picks in 2025.
This includes the option to select a personalized, collectable luggage tag when reaching 15,000 Loyalty Points.
Furthermore, American will swap the carbon offset credit at the 175,000 Loyalty Point threshold with a donation to support the use of sustainable aviation fuel.
Finally, as previously announced, American reaffirmed that it'll introduce World of Hyatt awards as part of the Loyalty Point Rewards program next year.
The airline has already shared all the details for this next phase of the Hyatt partnership (which comes at the expense of reciprocal mileage and point earning), so be sure to check out TPG's detailed guide to those changes.
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Longer validity for systemwide upgrades
American's systemwide upgrades — one of the airline's most sought-after benefits — have historically expired one year from when they were picked as a Loyalty Point Reward.
But, starting March 1, 2025, all newly issued systemwide upgrades will be valid through March of the following status membership year.
For instance, any systemwide upgrades earned from March 1, 2025, to Feb. 28, 2026, will be valid through March 31, 2027.
As part of this news, American will also extend any systemwide upgrades earned during the 2024 program to March 31, 2026.
In addition to the extended expiration, American recently introduced the ability to apply systemwide upgrades online.
New Million Miler status levels
For those who choose American for the long haul, the airline has some exciting news.
The carrier is adding new lifetime status levels beginning on March 1, 2025.
- 4 million miles: lifetime AAdvantage Platinum Pro status
- 5 million miles: lifetime AAdvantage Executive Platinum status
These new tiers join the existing ones at 1 million miles (lifetime AAdvantage Gold status) and 2 million miles (lifetime AAdvantage Platinum status).
It's interesting that American is skipping the three million mile threshold as part of this announcement; perhaps the airline is reserving that threshold for a future fifth elite tier that could be introduced in the future.
Redeem miles for onboard dining
In recent years, American has focused on increasing the utility of AAdvantage miles (even if it comes at the expense of a favorable redemption rate).
The carrier announced on Thursday that it'll soon let travelers use miles toward onboard food and beverages. There's no word on the redemption rate, but I imagine that flight awards will still provide the most value.
In addition to spending miles on onboard dining, the airline now lets you redeem for inflight Wi-Fi, access to lounges and Flagship First dining facilities and sports games and concert tickets.
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Redeem miles on partners
In addition to the elite status changes, American announced on Thursday that it'll introduce mileage redemptions with JetSMART, Aer Lingus and Oman Air next year.
Bottom line
American's loyalty update for 2025 might feel a bit boring, but that's actually good news.
While the airline could've gone the United route and significantly jacked up status requirements, American will maintain its existing thresholds, while also adding a few new picks on the Loyalty Point Rewards menu.
The other changes — more Million Miler tiers and the ability to redeem miles for onboard dining — don't really move the needle for most travelers, but it seems like American is happy where the program is at, and that's great news for folks (particularly big spenders) who have enjoyed the introduction of a Loyalty Points-based program.
Related reading:
- Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
- 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
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