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News
American Airlines announces AAdvantage status requirements for 2026, changes to some status perks
Sean Cudahy is an aviation reporter covering news about airlines, frequent flyer programs and consumer travel issues.
January 7, 2026 • 8 min read
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Quick summary
American Airlines will keep its AAdvantage elite status requirements unchanged for the third consecutive year, providing stability for frequent flyers.
Several new Loyalty Point Rewards options are being introduced in 2026, including inflight food-and-beverage credits, New York Times subscriptions and premium retail gifts for higher earners.
Some existing perks, such as the Bang & Olufsen product option and a higher bonus at the 100,000-point threshold, will be discontinued.
Free inflight Wi-Fi is being rolled out to nearly the entire mainline and two-cabin regional jet fleet by early 2026, accessible with an AAdvantage account.
What to consider
Loyalty Point thresholds for elite status remain unchanged, with tier levels and required points clearly outlined.
New benefits and some discontinued perks apply at specific Loyalty Point milestones, so members should review choices at each level.
Redemption options for miles are expanding to include sporting events and gift cards, but travelers should compare the value of these redemptions to flight awards.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of all new and discontinued Loyalty Point Rewards, plus guidance on maximizing new redemption and benefit options.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
For the third straight year, American Airlines loyalists won’t have to contend with any changes to the airline’s elite status requirements.
That’s likely to be a bit of a relief for frequent travelers who have had to contend with increasingly tougher status requirements from airlines and hotels alike in recent years.
American is, however, making a few changes for the upcoming AAdvantage year, which technically begins March 1.
The carrier is adding a few benefits and choices to its Loyalty Point Rewards, the menu of perks the carrier offers when AAdvantage members hit certain loyalty milestones.
New benefits include inflight food-and-beverage coupons, New York Times subscriptions and — for big earners — premium retail selections.
A couple of additional perks will disappear this year, but — don’t worry — the most lucrative benefit selections like systemwide upgrades, Admirals Club memberships and bonus miles aren’t going anywhere.
A Flagship Suite on American's Airbus A321XLR. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Meanwhile, all AAdvantage elite members who qualify for status starting March 1 will be eligible for a luggage tag commemorating the carrier’s 100th birthday.
Here’s a rundown of what’s changing (and what’s not) in the new year.
Loyalty Points requirements for status remain as-is
As noted, American Airlines will not raise the threshold for status in the new year.
That means the Loyalty Points you’ll need to keep or gain status will remain unchanged.
AAdvantage status tier
Loyalty Points required
Oneworld alliance status
Gold
40,000
Ruby
Platinum
75,000
Sapphire
Platinum Pro
125,000
Emerald
Executive Platinum
200,000
Emerald
As a reminder, you earn 1 Loyalty Point per base AAdvantage mile earned via flying, spending on eligible cobranded American Airlines credit cards and via other avenues like the airline's shopping,dining and hotels platforms.
American follows in the footsteps of top competitors Delta Air Lines and United Airlines in leaving elite requirements unchanged going into 2026.
Loyalty Point Rewards changes
American’s biggest AAdvantage changes in 2026 surround its Loyalty Point Rewards. These are the perks members receive upon reaching certain Loyalty Point thresholds in between status tiers.
There are new perks at a few different Loyalty Point thresholds coming in 2026, plus a couple that will go away this year.
Here's a rundown of what's changing, and what's remaining in place.
15,000 Loyalty Points
Changes
Remaining in place
Later in 2026, AAdvantage members who reach 15,000 Loyalty Points will gain two new options to choose from:
Two food-and-beverage credits to use on flights where service is offered
A 12-month New York Times subscription to Games, Cooking or The Athletic
Alternative choices members can pick from at this threshold include:
Personalize commemorative centennial luggage tag
1,000 Loyalty Points
Priority privileges and Group 4 boarding for a trip
Five preferred seat coupons
60,000 Loyalty Points
Changes
Remaining in place
Beginning March 1, members will see their Loyalty Points bonus increase when spending with select partners — from 20% to 25%, up to a maximum of 25,000 Loyalty Points.
Remember that the bonus lasts six months upon registering for this reward. It applies to American Airlines Vacations, AAdvantage Hotels, AAdvantage eShopping, AAdvantage Dining, AAdvantage Cruises and SimplyMiles.
Members also unlock Avis Preferred Plus status at this threshold.
100,000 Loyalty Points
Changes
Remaining in place
The bonus for the above American Airlines partners will no longer increase to 30% at the 100,000 threshold.
Unlock World of Hyatt Discoverist status
Avis President’s Club status
175,000 Loyalty Points
Changes
Remaining in place
Starting March 1, members who reach this threshold will gain two new options:
A $250 credit toward American Airlines Vacations packages
One “AAdvantage Exchange” gift, which American says will include options ranging from consumer electronics to luggage and other products.
Coming later in 2026, members will also have a third new option: a 12-month all-access New York Times subscription.
There’s a long list of alternative choices ranging from two systemwide upgrades to World of Hyatt Explorist status and American Airlines trip credit.
The above new perks (and the end of the Bang & Olufsen option) will also be in place at the 400,000, 550,000 and 750,000 Loyalty Points thresholds.
What to know about the changes
Overall, the adjustments to American’s Loyalty Point Rewards aren’t drastic and generally skew in customers’ favor with a few new selections to choose from.
The 100,000 threshold likely takes the most tangible hit, with the end of a heftier bonus on spending with certain American partners.
Personally, I'd love to see the airline add a travel perk or two at that midlevel threshold.
American Airlines planes at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
The end of the Bang & Olufsen product selection as a specific perk is technically a net loss for customers who opted for that over a travel perk at the higher milestones. At the same time, I’ll be curious to see what alternative options American offers through its AAdvantage Exchange.
But the addition of New York Times subscriptions and savings on vacation packages should definitely offer value to members who find appeal in those choices.
Other changes in 2026
Meanwhile, American plans to continue expanding the ability for members to redeem miles for sporting events. We’ve already seen AAdvantage redemptions for U.S. soccer matches ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
An American Airlines plane at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
The carrier expects to offer similar redemptions for the upcoming PGA Championship.
Later in 2026, American will also roll out redemptions for gift cards to retailers and other establishments, though — as always — we’ll caution members to weigh the value you’d get with those redemptions against what you’d get on a flight redemption.
Free Wi-Fi rollout
Last but not least, the biggest change of all for AAdvantage members in 2026 may be the addition of free inflight Wi-Fi to American’s planes.
As TPG reported Tuesday, the new complimentary onboard internet is expected to be on 100% of the carrier’s mainline narrow-body and two-cabin regional jet fleet by the end of January.
You’ll also see free Wi-Fi on certain wide-body planes in the coming months.
All you’ll need to connect to the service is an AAdvantage account.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
