Why I’m not doing anything differently to earn American Airlines elite status
Some people might call me crazy, but I'm not going out of my way to earn American Airlines status right now.
That's not to say that I won't end up requalifying for American's Executive Platinum status at some point this year. But, I'm not changing my behavior to get there — at least for now.
And here's why.
The basics of Loyalty Points
In case you missed it, American is completely revamping how you earn AAdvantange elite status beginning on March 1. Going forward, American's new currency, Loyalty Points, will determine where you land in the elite ranks.
Loyalty Points replace the mix of elite-qualifying flights and minimum spend that used to be required to earn status.
Loyalty Points will still be earned from flying, but the list of elite-earning partners is expanding to include spending on cobranded credit cards and many other non-flying activities. This includes hotels booked through Rocketmiles, purchases made through portal sites such as AAdvantage eShopping and through select retail partners, like Shell and FTD. (You'll find the full list of Loyalty Points-earning partners here.)
You'll earn one Loyalty Point for each qualifying AAdvantage mile earned from eligible partners.
A unique double-dipping opportunity
Along with the new currency comes a new elite-qualifying calendar, which will begin on March 1, 2022, and run through Feb. 28, 2023. To accommodate for the change in program year, American is offering a unique double-dipping opportunity from Jan. 1, 2022, through Feb. 29, 2022. During this two-month window, travelers can earn elite credit towards both 2022 and 2023 status.
To maximize this double-dipping opportunity, many of my colleagues at TPG (along with some readers) have been eager to get a head start on accumulating Loyalty Points for 2023 status. We've even been testing out all the unique ways you can earn Loyalty Points and sharing some of our top strategies.
That said, I'm not planning to do anything differently right now.
Flights first, spend later
Unlike some of my colleagues who are trying to earn AAdvantage status without stepping foot on a plane, I actually fly quite a bit with American and its partners, including those in the Oneworld alliance and JetBlue.
Assuming that my flying patterns largely mirror those from 2021, I'll continue to earn a bulk of my elite-qualifying progress from flights themselves.
Qualifying for top-tier American Airlines status requires 200,000 Loyalty Points. Current Executive Platinum members earn 11x miles (and Loyalty Points) per dollar spent on American flights, meaning that requalifying would require roughly $18,000 in spending, about $3,000 more than it did before the pandemic.
That's a ton, especially as the pandemic continues to interrupt my travel plans, but it's not necessarily impossible, especially if you plan to fly discounted premium-cabin itineraries on Oneworld partners.
I doubt I'll cross the finish line from flights alone, but I won't start spending on my cobranded AAdvantage card or go out of my way to use the AAdvantage shopping portal (and similar programs) to close the gap right now.
After all, I need to factor in the opportunity cost of the spend (and my time), as well as the fact that I can't predict what the future will hold.
The opportunity cost
If I started spending on my cobranded American credit card or using the AAdvantage online shopping portal right now, I'd be forgoing spend that I could make elsewhere, both on a different credit and through a different shopping portal.
For instance, I'm currently working toward the sign-up bonus for the recently launched Capital One Venture X. After I hit that bonus, I'll spend on other cards that earn bonus multipliers in different categories, like groceries and dining, which I value more than AAdvantage miles.
The same opportunity cost consideration is true for earning Loyalty Points from non-air and non-card spend. If I started earning AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points from my hotels, I'd be missing out on earning hotel points (and in some cases, elite-qualifying progress) with my favorite hotel loyalty programs.
Plus, if I shifted to using American's shopping portals, I wouldn't be able to use my preferred online shopping portal, Rakuten, for my e-commerce purchases. I accrue much more valuable Amex Membership Rewards from Rakuten, so if the earning rates are similar between AAdvantage eShopping and Rakuten, I'd choose the latter.
Predicting the future
It's never been easy to predict the future, and that's especially true these days.
For one, it's possible that American might ultimately lower the elite-qualifying thresholds due to the pandemic later this year. The airline could also launch limited-time promotions to retain status, just like it did in 2021.
If that's the case, I'd be especially frustrated if I went out of my way to earn Loyalty Points now. Without a good picture of what the future holds, I think it's too early to be giving American all of my air and non-air business.
I'll still take advantage of one-off deals
While I won't be changing my behavior to earn Loyalty Points, I'll still keep my eyes peeled for one-off deals to boost my balance.
Whether that means earning a boatful of bonus points on Valentine's Day flowers or purchasing a bonsai tree (or two) for my apartment, I'm still going to play the Loyalty Points game.
I just don't feel the need to get a head start so early in the first quarter.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.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.
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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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.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.