American Airlines Is Handing Out Free Targeted Gold and Platinum Status
American Airlines is targeting some of its AAdvantage members with free status, handing out complimentary Gold or Platinum status for members to enjoy for the next few months.
If you were targeted, you'll have received an email from AA with the subject reading "Free Platinum status for you," or "Free Gold status for you." (It's worth checking the spam folder on the email associated with your AAdvantage account.) Additionally, you can log in to your AAdvantage account and click on the Promotions tab to see if you are eligible for the free status offer.
Those who did get the offer will be able to take advantage of the free Gold or Platinum status through January 6, 2019. For those getting the complimentary Gold status, you'll also get 10 500-mile upgrades, and those who were targeted for Platinum status will get 20 of the 500-mile upgrades.
Keep in mind that if you were targeted, you must sign up by October 12, 2018, meaning the complimentary status is valid for just about three months.
The especially appealing part about these targeted offers from AA is that they're trials of status, meaning you'll also be able to extend the status if you find yourself liking it. If you were targeted for the Platinum offer, you'll be able to extend that status through 2020 by earning 12,500 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) or $1,500 Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs). Alternatively, if you're liking it but think you want to take it to the next level, you can elevate to Platinum Pro by earning 20,000 EQMs or $2,400 EQDs by January 31, 2019. The extension offer for those targeted for Gold status isn't available at this time.
It's unclear how exactly American targets members for these free status offers. But if you were targeted, it could be worth taking advantage just to test it out. TPG values AAdvantage Gold status at $970 and Platinum status at $2,185.
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