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Now posting: American's latest systemwide upgrade extension

Jan. 13, 2022
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3 min read
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Now posting: American's latest systemwide upgrade extension
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Update (1/13/22): American Airlines is making good on its promise to extend expiring upgrades. All systemwide upgrades earned in 2019 and 2020 are now valid through July 31, 2022. The updated expiration date has now been processed on the back-end and can be seen in your AAdvantage account wallet.

(Screenshot courtesy of American Airlines)

The original unedited story appears below.

It’s been a very busy week for American’s AAdvantage loyalty program.

On Tuesday, the airline announced a new currency, Loyalty Points, that’ll determine where you land on the revamped elite status qualification table.

But buried in the detail is some exciting news for existing elites who might be wondering what’s going to happen to their expiring upgrade certificates.

American is giving a six-month extension to all systemwide upgrade certificates that were slated to expire on Jan. 31, 2022, as confirmed to TPG by a carrier spokesperson.

The airline already extended all systemwide upgrades that were issued in 2019 to July 31, 2022, and now it’s doing the same for all such certificates issued in 2020.

Until now, elites who requalified in 2020 — during the height of the pandemic — had their most recent batch of certificates expiring before the ones they earned in 2019.

(Screenshot courtesy of American Airlines)



Of course, that made little sense, especially considering that those loyalists likely went out of their way to fly American last year.

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Fortunately, the carrier is making a flyer-friendly adjustment. During a recent interview with TPG, Heather Samp, managing director of member engagement, told TPG that she was looking into the situation.

A day later, a carrier spokesperson confirmed that these latest upgrades were getting the aforementioned extension. There’s no timeline yet for when the updated expiration date will appear in your account.

Related: How to use American systemwide upgrades

For many top-tier Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum elites, systemwide upgrades are perhaps the best perk. Each one entitles you to a confirmed, one-way upgrade to any destination, subject to availability.

Most flyers use them for long-haul travel, which, due to border closures and safety measures, have been largely off-limits for the past 18 months.

Now, all elites will have some more time to use them, a welcome move on American’s part.

Plus, you can apply systemwide upgrades beyond the expiration date, as long as you confirm the upgrade before it expires. Of course, that’s subject to finding confirmed upgrade space, but you could theoretically use these certificates for 2023 travel — hopefully, the pandemic will be long gone by then.

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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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.