American Airlines eliminates partner elite seating benefits
Airlines are busy making policy adjustments during the pandemic.
In April, all of the major U.S. carriers extended elite status and made temporary changes to their loyalty programs. In August, major U.S. carriers then moved to permanently eliminate (most) change fees.
As part of American's no-change-fee announcement, the airline also unveiled some welcome improvements to the basic economy experience, including the ability to purchase (or use complimentary elite) upgrades, access extra-legroom seating and more.
While last month's announcement was overwhelmingly positive news for flyers, the Fort Worth-based carrier also has quietly made a negative devaluation for Oneworld partner elites.
Effective immediately, AA's partner elites will no longer receive complimentary access to the airline's extra-legroom Main Cabin Extra seating. This policy change has been confirmed to TPG by an American Airlines spokesperson.
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The AA spokesperson also confirmed that Oneworld elites will still have complimentary access to Preferred seats. These seats offer standard coach legroom but they're positioned at favorable locations within the cabin.
Previously, partner Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members received free Main Cabin Extra seating at booking for themselves and up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation. Oneworld Ruby members could previously assign complimentary extra-legroom seats beginning 24 hours before departure.
Going forward, partner elites will need to purchase Main Cabin Extra legroom at standard pricing, which ranges depending on flight length and seat location. For example, a bulkhead extra-legroom window seat from Miami to New York hovers at around $28.
Aside from offering additional legroom, Main Cabin Extra seats include early boarding and an elevated drink experience. Before the pandemic, you'd be served a choice of beer, wine or spirits when seated in Main Cabin Extra on flights with full beverage service.
American is a founding member of Oneworld — one of the three major airline alliances. If you are an elite member with one of Oneworld's 13 member airlines, you don't just receive benefits when flying your preferred airline. You also unlock a "status-lite" equivalent when flying other Oneworld partner airlines. These privileges vary depending on your status level — and range from entry-level Ruby status to mid-tier Sapphire status to top-tier Emerald status.
One of the most popular Oneworld Emerald benefits is access to first-class lounges when traveling internationally. That means that top-tier Emeralds can use the incredible Cathay Pacific The Pier first-class lounge when flying in any cabin on an international flight from Hong Kong. The same story applies to other partner lounges across the world.
Related: A beginner’s guide to American Airlines economy seats
Of the Big 3 U.S. carriers, American's partner elite seating policy had long been the most generous. Neither Delta nor United offer confirmed complimentary access to Comfort+ and Economy Plus seating options, respectively, to partner elite members.
Thursday's update doesn't impact AAdvantage elites. Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members will continue to receive complimentary Main Cabin Extra seating at the time of booking for themselves and up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation. Gold members get a free pick at the remaining seats beginning 24 hours before departure.
In addition, as of Oct. 1, AA elites enjoy their seating privileges when purchasing basic economy tickets.
In the years leading up to the pandemic, airlines have been focused less on their alliances and more on cultivating close partnerships with individual airlines. During the pandemic, American has doubled down on that playbook. The carrier recently announced a strategic partnership with a non-alliance competitor — JetBlue.
We'll likely see some level of reciprocity for AA and JetBlue elites when the partnership formally begins, which may include complimentary access to Main Cabin Extra seating.
But for now, Oneworld elite benefits on AA just took a hit. Partner elites will no longer enjoy free Main Cabin Extra seating when flying American.
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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
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- 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.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.