American is sending out status buy-up offers: Here's why you should probably skip it
As the Feb. 28 deadline to qualify for American Airlines AAdvantage status rapidly approaches, you might have the opportunity to buy your way to American Airlines status.
You can visit this landing page and sign in to your AAdvantage account to see if your account is eligible for a targeted buy-up offer.
Like United's option for buying up to status, these offers aren't cheap (at least in our surveyed accounts). American may allow you to use your miles to buy up for status. Using your miles to buy up to status, you'll get a redemption rate of just 1 cent per mile — roughly 45% below TPG's valuation of American miles.
Here's a closer look at the specific offers we found.
Gold to Platinum
One TPG staffer was offered Platinum status for $1,185 or 118,500 miles. AAdvantage Platinum includes several benefits above his current AAdvantage Gold status. Some noteworthy Platinum benefits include Main Cabin Extra seating at the time of booking, Oneworld business-class lounge access on most international flights and 48-hour upgrade priority on some American and Alaska Airlines flights.
This was one of the least expensive offers, but this AAdvantage member is only about 7,000 Loyalty Points short of Platinum status. He's qualified for AAdvantage Gold status, and he'll earn the 7,000 Loyalty Points from an upcoming Rocketmiles stay, which, presumably, is less than $1,185.
That will give him Platinum status through Feb. 29, 2024.
Platinum to Platinum Pro
Platinum Pro status requires 125,000 Loyalty Points. The first data point, from a TPG staffer, offers a buy-up from Platinum to Platinum Pro for $2,279 or 228,000 miles. This staffer is currently around 15,000 Loyalty Points short of Platinum Pro.
The second screenshot is from a TPG reader who is around 25,000 Loyalty Points short of Platinum Pro. As you would expect, his buy-up offer is more expensive.
Platinum Pro includes increased upgrade priority, three complimentary checked bags and Oneworld Emerald, which offers benefits like first-class Oneworld lounge access on most international flights.
Both of these readers have already qualified for Platinum status through Feb. 29, 2024 but will likely not be earning Platinum Pro.
Related: Chasing American Airlines elite status? Here are 14 ways to earn Loyalty Points
Platinum Pro to Executive Platinum
Finally, American Airlines offered two TPG staffers a buy-up from Platinum Pro to Executive Platinum status. Both of these staffers have already qualified for Platinum Pro status through Feb. 29, 2024. These offers would upgrade that to Executive Platinum through March 31, 2024.
In the first case, a TPG staffer is around 40,000 Loyalty Points short of the 200,000 Loyalty Points required for Executive Platinum. Her offer is $2,319 or 232,000 miles.
But here's a curve ball — in the second offer, a TPG staffer is around 30,000 Loyalty Points short of Executive Platinum status. American offered him Executive Platinum for $3,379 or 338,000 miles. That's more expensive than the first offer, and he has more Loyalty Points.
So if you're closer to status, your offer might not be less expensive.
Some benefits of Executive Platinum status include upgrades confirmed as early as 100 hours before departure (on some flights), complimentary upgrades on award tickets (on some flights) and a complimentary snack and drink when traveling in economy class.
Related: The best credit cards to reach elite status in 2023
Lots of accounts aren't targeted
Across the TPG staff, many of us weren't targeted for status buy-up offers. This includes staffers currently enrolled in the Instant Status Pass (including the November World of Hyatt status challenge).
Additionally, staffers who don't currently hold American Airlines status were not given targeted offers to buy up to entry-level AAdvantage Gold.
Bottom line
You might be able to buy up to American Airlines status, but it's almost certain to be expensive. Of all American's status tiers, the jump from AAdvantage Gold to Platinum is perhaps the most noticeable. Platinum members receive many of the same perks as top-tier Executive Platinum members, including complimentary Main Cabin Extra seating and Oneworld business-class lounge access on most international flights.
If you need more Loyalty Points before Feb. 28 and don't want to buy up with one of these promotions, check out this article for six quick and easy ways to earn Loyalty Points.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended 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.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees