If you’re a frequent flyer, consider signing up for a loyalty program! There are various options from different airlines so it’s important to do a little research before choosing which one to join. Finding the perfect fit can be dependent on factors like elite status and perks.
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In this guide, we’ll go over what each status tier is worth in the American Airlines AAdvantage program, so you can decide if it’s worth it to join.
American Airlines Elite Status Overview
There are four elite tires for American Airlines AAdvantage: Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum. There are two ways to qualify for elite status during the calendar year:
- Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) + Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs)
- Elite Qualifying Segments (EQSs) + Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs)
Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) count the actual miles flown on American Airlines and Oneworld partners. It’s calculated by multiplying the mileage of the flight by fare class.
Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) can be earned depending how much you spend on American Airlines and Oneworld partner tickets. The number fluctuates based on class of service and partner restrictions.
Elite Qualifying Segments (EQSs) are based on how many takeoff-to-landing flight segments you take. For example, a non-stop flight from San Francisco to Miami would earn one EQS. On the other hand, a flight from San Francisco to Miami with a layover in Dallas would earn two EQSs.
Elite status qualifications for 2021:
| Tier | Destination | Destination | EQDS |
| Gold | 20,000 | 20 | $2,000 |
| Platinum | 40,000 | 45 | $4,500 |
| Platinum Pro | 60,000 | 70 | $7,000 |
| Platinum Elite | 80,000 | 95 | $12,000 |
You’ll unlock more benefits as you gain a higher status:
| Benefits | Gold | Platinum | Platinum Pro | Executive Platinum |
| Mileage bonus | 40% | 60% | 80% | 120% |
| Upgrades on flights < 500 miles |
x | x | x | x |
| Upgrades on flights > 500 miles |
x | x | ||
| Preferred/MCE seats |
x | x | x | x |
| Checked bags | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Priority airport services |
x | x | x | x |
| Drink & snack in Main Cabin |
x | |||
| Same-day standby | x | x | x | x |
| Same-day confirmed | x | x | x | x |
| Waived award- processing charge |
x | x | x | x |
| Waived award change & cancellation fees |
x | x | x | x |
| Priority phone line | x | x | x | x |
| Partner benefits | x | x | x | x |
*For up-to-date information, click here for our source.
American Airlines Elite Status Value
The lowest tier in the American Airlines AAdvantage program is Gold status, which requires 20,000 EQMs or 20 EQSs, plus $2,000 EQDs. To calculate the value of AAdvantage Gold, we used 20,000 EQMs at a cost of $0.125 per mile. So the total spend is $2,500.
Below is a list of AAdvantage Gold perks, along with their estimated values.
40% mileage bonus ($70). Earn 7 miles for every dollar spent on flights. That’s 2 more miles per $1 than members without status. Based on a total spend of $2,500, you’ll earn an additional 5,000 miles (worth $70).
Upgrades on flights less than 500 miles ($50). Whenever you fly less than 500 miles, you can get unlimited complimentary upgrades. If you tend to travel domestically, you might find this perk to be useful. You won’t get to enjoy your upgraded perks for that long, but it’s still better than no upgrade at all. Note: You’ll be prioritized below all other AAdvantage elite members in Gold tier.
Upgrades on flights over 500 miles ($200). Upgrade to First Class on flights over 500 miles in distance by using “500-mile upgrades.” Get four of these upgrades for every 12,500 EQMs you earn. So with 20,000 EQMs, you’ll receive four 500-mile upgrades. Note: You can use these upgrades to bring a companion to the front of the plane with you.
Preferred or Main Cabin Extra seats ($150). You get access to Preferred seats when you book, or Main Cabin Extra (MCE) seats within 24 hours of departure. This benefit applies to up to eight companion travelers. Note: Domestic MCE seats come with free drinks, including beer, wine and spirits.
Checked bags ($100). Check one bag for free on any American flight. Note: This perk is also available with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®.
Priority airport services ($100). Utilize priority check-in, security and boarding at the airport. While not the most valuable benefit, these services are helpful when you’re on a time crunch.
Same-day standby ($75). If you want to go on standby for an earlier or later flight, you don’t have to pay the $75 fee. We’re guessing you won’t use this perk often. But if you change your plans frequently, feel free to bump up the value of this benefit.
Waived award-processing charge ($75). You won’t have to pay the $75 processing charge on award tickets booked within 21 days of departure. Again, we’re assuming you’re not going to use this benefit often.
Priority phone line ($50). While not the best perk, getting priority access to customer service can be helpful should you experience weather issues or other problems.
Partner benefits ($25). Enjoy Oneworld Ruby status, which provides priority check-in and standby on Oneworld partner flights.
The second tier in the American Airlines AAdvantage program is Platinum status, which requires 40,000 EQMs or 45 EQSs, plus $4,500 EQDs. To calculate the value of AAdvantage Platinum, we used 60,000 EQMs at a cost of $0.125 per mile. So the total spend is $7,500.
Below is a list of AAdvantage Platinum perks, along with their estimated values.
60% mileage bonus ($315). Earn 8 miles for every dollar spent on flights. That’s 3 more miles per $1 than members without status. Based on a total spend of $7,500, you’ll earn an additional 22,500 miles (worth $315).
Upgrades on flights less than 500 miles ($125). Same perk as AAdvantage Gold, but we calculated more frequent utilization. Also, Platinum upgrades have priority over Gold, so you’re more likely to clear.
Upgrades on flights over 500 miles ($480). Same perk as AAdvantage Gold. With 60,000 EQMs, you’ll receive sixteen 500-mile upgrades. Again, you’ll have priority over Gold members.
Preferred or Main Cabin Extra seats ($350). Same perk as AAdvantage Gold, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Checked bags ($200). Check two bags for free on any domestic American flight. Note: This perk is limited to 50 pounds per bag.
Priority airport services ($250). Same perk as AAdvantage Gold, but with priority baggage delivery as well.
Same-day standby ($150). Same perk as AAdvantage Gold, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Waived award-processing charge ($75). Same perk as AAdvantage Gold.
Priority phone line ($100). Same perk as AAdvantage Gold, but we calculated more frequent utilization. Plus, Platinum phone agents are slightly more knowledgeable.
Partner benefits ($150). Enjoy Oneworld Sapphire status, which provides priority check-in and standby (offered to Gold members) as well as priority boarding and lounge access when traveling internationally on Oneworld partner flights. Note: This includes American Airlines Flagship lounges when departing or connecting to a same-day international flight in any class.
The third tier in the American Airlines AAdvantage program is Platinum Pro status, which requires 60,000 EQMs or 70 EQSs, plus $7,000 EQDs. To calculate the value of AAdvantage Platinum Pro, we used 90,000 EQMs at a cost of $0.125 per mile. So the total spend is $11,250.
Below is a list of AAdvantage Platinum Pro perks, along with their estimated values.
80% mileage bonus ($630). Earn 9 miles for every dollar spent on flights. That’s 4 more miles per $1 than members without status. Based on a total spend of $11,250, you’ll earn an additional 45,000 miles (worth $630).
Upgrades on flights less than 500 miles ($250). Same perk as AAdvantage Platinum, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Upgrades on flights over 500 miles ($800). Enjoy unlimited, free upgrades on flights that are eligible for 500-mile upgrades.
Preferred or Main Cabin Extra seats ($525). Same perk as AAdvantage Platinum, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Checked bags ($250). Same perk as AAdvantage Platinum, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Priority airport services ($375). Same perk as AAdvantage Platinum, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Same-day standby and flight change ($225). Same perk as AAdvantage Platinum, but you can also make free same-day flight changes.
Waived award-processing charge ($150). Same perk as AAdvantage Platinum, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Priority phone line ($150). Same perk as AAdvantage Platinum, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Partner benefits ($225). Same perk as AAdvantage Platinum, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
The top tier in the American Airlines AAdvantage program is Executive Platinum status, which requires 80,000 EQMs or 95 EQSs, plus $12,000 EQDs. To calculate the value of AAdvantage Executive Platinum, we used 120,000 EQMs at a cost of $0.125 per mile. So the total spend is $15,000.
Below is a list of AAdvantage Executive Platinum perks, along with their estimated values.
120% mileage bonus ($1,260). Earn 11 miles for every dollar spent on flights. That’s 6 more miles per $1 than members without status. Based on a total spend of $15,000, you’ll earn an additional 90,000 miles (worth $1,260).
Upgrades on all short- and medium-haul flights ($1,500). Enjoy unlimited, free upgrades, including award tickets. You’ll also be given priority on the upgrade list.
System-wide upgrades ($1,400). Receive four system-wide upgrades (SWUs) when you reach Executive Platinum status. Use these to upgrade any paid ticket (not including Basic Economy) on American for up to three segments. These upgrades are transferrable to friends and family members, even if they’re not traveling with you.
Preferred or Main Cabin Extra seats ($625). Same perk as AAdvantage Platinum Pro, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Checked bags ($350). Check three bags for free on all American flights. Note: This perk is limited to 70 pounds per bag.
Priority airport services ($500). Same perk as AAdvantage Platinum Pro, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Same-day standby and flight change ($450). Same perk as AAdvantage Platinum Pro, but we calculated more frequent utilization.
Drink and snack in Main Cabin ($50). If you can’t get the upgrade, you’ll at least enjoy a drink and snack for free in the Main Cabin.
Waived award-processing charge ($150). Same perk as AAdvantage Platinum Pro.
Waived award change and cancellation fee ($300). Don’t pay the $150 fee when you change airline, award type, origin or destination on an award ticket. The fee is also waived if you need to cancel the award and redeposit your miles.
Priority phone line ($250). Same perk as AAdvantage Platinum Pro, but with much more personalized support.
Partner benefits ($350). Enjoy Oneworld Emerald status with access to First- and Business-Class lounges, plus extra baggage allowance and the same benefits as Platinum Pro members.
Is American Airlines Elite Status Worth It?
Given the value estimates above, do you think American Airlines elite status worth pursuing? Here are a few questions that will help you make your decision:
- Does American Airlines fly to where you want to go? Elite status isn’t worth pursuing if you don’t fly with the airline, or its partners, regularly. Check American’s service from your home airport and see how easily you can get to your choice destinations.
- Do the benefits matter to you? It doesn’t make sense to work towards the next status tier unless there are perks that are worth the extra push.
- How often do you travel? If you don’t fly often, then pushing hard for a higher status isn’t worth it. Status benefits only apply when you travel. So if you don’t use your perks, the value of your status isn’t much.
- Do you prioritize price and convenience? Will you use your preferred airline even when it’s not the cheapest? Or the most convenient? In other words, would you book an American flight with one stop over a cheaper, nonstop flight with Delta? If you’re not willing to trade in price and convenience for loyalty perks, then American Airlines elite status probably isn’t worth it for you.
- Could you get the same perks with a credit card? The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® includes your first checked bag free on domestic flights, preferred boarding and a 25% discount on inflight food and beverages. The The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® comes with Admirals Club membership, as well as all the benefits you’d get from the Platinum Select card.
Our Methodology
Each person places their own value on each benefit. While you may value baggage over complimentary upgrades, another person might think lounge access is more important. Therefore, our analysis of American Airlines elite status is more general. Ultimately, the decision is up to you and your own needs so feel free to play with the numbers a little bit.
Our value estimates are based on the perks you would enjoy after having already achieved status and qualifying each year thereafter. If you’re new to the AAdvantage program, you won’t get any benefits from the first 25,000 miles before you unlock Gold status.
We need to determine a certain amount of flying and a corresponding amount of spending in order to assign values to different perks. We assumed the following while assigning value:
- You earned 20% more elite-qualifying miles than the minimum required for that status level.
- You spend an average of $0.125 per elite-qualifying mile.
As mentioned before, feel free to adjust the numbers according to your flying habits. If you only travel domestically, you’re probably spending less than $0.125 per mile. And if you’re paying for international First Class travel on a regular basis, you’re likely spending much more.
For this particular analysis, we value AAdvantage miles based on our most recent valuations, which is $0.14 apiece.
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Bottom Line
The value of a loyalty program is different for every person’s needs. Overall an elite status will make traveling easier and more rewarding, but the perfect program is different for everyone.
Hopefully, this post was able to help you get a better idea of whether or not American Airlines elite status is worth it for you. For more posts like this, check out our list of credit card bonuses!
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