✈ An AA Executive Platinum Member Weighs In on Loyalty Program Changes, Save Up to 40% on Southwest & More News From TPG ✈

January 10, 2024

Changes to American's AAdvantage program

by Clint Henderson, Principal Spokesperson

It is a big week for American Airlines and its AAdvantage program. American announced several changes for the coming loyalty year that many would call an upgrade.

Even if you aren’t a member of AAdvantage, the airline is giving you new reasons to sign up, including making some perks available only to people who are enrolled in the program.

I outlined why I’m happy overall with the changes, but I’m increasingly invested in the AAdvantage program thanks, in part, to the innovation of Loyalty Points.

There are some special nuggets hidden in the fine print, including the future ability to upgrade on partner airlines. That’s a game changer to me.

I also love the new ability to earn Loyalty Points for purchased upgrades. That could mean fewer free upgrades for elite members, but at least I’ll get points when I buy upgrades on those trips home to San Francisco.

Beginning with the new status year March 1, American is adding new rewards for earning various levels of Loyalty Points, beginning with just 15,000 Loyalty Points. That’s a nice incentive, especially considering you can get there via spending on American Airlines credit cards like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.

That card has been a key way I’ve earned and kept top-tier Executive Platinum status, and the sign-up bonus is 70,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after you spend $7,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Overall, American announced 10 different changes to the program. No matter how you feel about Loyalty Points, being a member of the AAdvantage program will be even more beneficial to your travels in the future.

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