Having airline elite status improves your travel experience with complimentary upgrades, priority boarding, bonus miles and more. If you fly American Airlines regularly, upgrading from AAdvantage Gold to AAdvantage Platinum elite status might be one of your goals.
Here's how to earn Platinum AAdvantage status, the extra benefits you'll receive and other facts you need to know.
Platinum AAdvantage benefits
AAdvantage members with Platinum status receive several benefits that improve their travel experience and save time and money. Here are some of the Platinum AAdvantage benefits you’ll receive when you earn this elite status:
Complimentary Main Cabin Extra seats. Upgrade your tickets for yourself and one companion to Main Cabin Extra without paying extra.
Preferred seating within the plane. You and up to eight companions can choose preferred seats on the plane at no charge.
Unlimited complimentary upgrades to premium cabin. Receive complimentary one-class upgrades within North America, Central America and the Caribbean up to 48 hours before departure.
Two free checked bags with priority handling. Save at least $30 per bag by getting two free checked bags on your flights. Plus, your bags are marked with priority handling to get your bags sooner at baggage claim.
60% more award miles on paid flights. AAdvantage members earn 5 miles per dollar spent on American flights. Platinum members earn 60% more, for a total of 8 miles per dollar.
Priority check-in, security lanes and boarding. Platinum elite members board with Group 3 on American Airlines flights. They also have shorter waits at the airport with priority check-in and security lanes.
Same-day standby priority. If you need to switch flights, you'll receive priority on the standby list over other passengers with lower elite status.
Access to the AAdvantage Platinum service desk. Talk to customer service agents dedicated to American Airlines Platinum members.
Oneworld Sapphire benefits. Receive Oneworld Sapphire status and reciprocal benefits when flying on Oneworld partners. You'll enjoy priority check-in, boarding, security lanes and standby, plus preferred seating and complimentary checked bags. Sapphire members also have access to business class and frequent flyer lounges.
How to get AAdvantage Platinum status
In January 2023, American Airlines revamped its loyalty program to simplify how members earn miles and Loyalty Points. With the revised program, AAdvantage members earn Loyalty Points toward elite status from flights, credit card purchases and other partner activities.
AAdvantage Platinum status is the second tier elite status within American Airlines’ loyalty program. Members must earn 75,000 Loyalty Points by the end of February each year to reach this level.
Every eligible AAdvantage mile earns 1 Loyalty Point. Members can earn Loyalty Points in multiple ways, including:
Travel on American Airlines and its partners. All AAdvantage members earn 5 miles per dollar on American Airlines flights (except Basic Economy, which only earns 2 miles). AAdvantage Platinum members get a 60% bonus, so they earn 8 miles per dollar. You can earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points on its Oneworld and other airline partners.
AAdvantage credit card purchases. Every mile earned through an American Airlines co-branded credit card counts as a Loyalty Point. Credit cards are issued by Barclays and Citi, so travelers have several options to choose from, like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®.
Partner offers and promotions. AAdvantage members can earn miles and Loyalty Points from partners. These partners include hotels, rental cars, cruises, dining, online shopping and more.
» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now
How much is American AAdvantage Platinum worth?
American Airlines Platinum ranks third on our analysis of the best mid-level elite status tiers.
By our estimates, AAdvantage Platinum elite status has a value of $7,500 but costs $18,987 to earn.
Value of benefits | Cost to earn | Elite earning rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
Gold | $2,158. | $7,595. | 28%. |
Platinum | $7,500. | $18,987. | 40%. |
Platinum Pro | $15,153. | $31,646. | 48%. |
Executive Platinum | $29,008. | $50,633. | 57%. |
Note that these values are estimates, and your actual cost and value may be much different.
For example, travelers who prefer carry-on bags or travel on popular routes that reduce the chance of upgrades may not get as much value out of Platinum status as others.
» Learn more: The best airline elite status right now
What else you need to know about American Airlines elite status
If you're still unsure if AAdvantage Platinum status is right for you, here are a few other things you should know.
Request a status match
Travelers who hold elite status with other airlines can request a status match with American Airlines.
This elite status trial offer allows travelers to explore the airline's benefits and features to determine if they want to switch their travel to American Airlines. Elite status matches may vary but often correlate to a similar status level you enjoy.
Depending on the offer received, it may have reduced qualifications to extend benefits or retain it for another year.
American Airlines Million Miler program
Frequent travelers who fly a lot of miles may qualify for lifetime status with American Airlines.
After flying 1 million miles, you'll receive lifetime AAdvantage Gold status and 35,000 AAdvantage bonus miles. Lifetime AAdvantage Platinum status requires 2 million miles.
You'll also receive four one-way system upgrades at 2 million miles. American Airlines provides another set of four one-way system upgrades for every additional million miles flown.
How long does American Airlines Platinum status last?
AAdvantage members earning American Airlines Platinum status enjoy its benefits for the remainder of the program year, plus an additional 12 months.
Elite status with American Airlines resets on March 1 each year. For example, if you earn AAdvantage Platinum status on Nov. 15, 2023, you'll enjoy elite status through Feb. 28, 2025.
» Learn more: When should you status match across airlines?
Partnership with World of Hyatt
After linking their accounts, Hyatt and AAdvantage loyalty program members earn 1 World of Hyatt point for every dollar spent on American Airlines flights.
If you have elite status in both programs, you'll also earn 1 AAdvantage base mile on every dollar you spend on Hyatt stays and experiences. Both of these benefits are in addition to the standard rewards earned with each program. Plus, you can earn even more rewards by paying with a rewards credit card.
Reciprocal benefits on Alaska Airlines and JetBlue
American AAdvantage elite members receive exclusive benefits when flying Alaska Airlines and JetBlue through its partnership with these airlines.
When flying on either airline, elite members receive priority check-in, boarding and security, two free checked bags, a status mileage bonus and more. Alaska Airlines also offers complimentary access to its lounges and JetBlue.
Is AAdvantage Platinum worth it?
For frequent travelers on American Airlines, the answer is yes. You'll receive complimentary upgrades and seat selection, two free checked bags and bonus miles on paid flights. Plus, Platinum elite status includes priority check-in, boarding and security lanes.
However, for travelers that only fly a couple of times a year, the effort may not be worth it. A better approach for these travelers is to apply for one of American Airlines’ co-branded credit cards.
In exchange for an annual fee, you'll receive similar benefits without the effort of earning elite status. For instance, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® gets a free checked bag and early boarding, and its annual fee is $0 intro for the first year, then $99 after that.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
(Video) 3 Reasons The IRS Might Audit You | NerdWallet #ShortsBusiness travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
FAQs
Is AA Platinum status worth it? ›
AAdvantage Platinum: Estimated value of $7,500
Below are a few of the most valuable Platinum benefits: Priority check-in, security and boarding. Complimentary Main Cabin Extra and Preferred seats, when available. Complimentary upgrades within North America as early as 48 hours before departure.
Million Miler perks
Fly a million miles, and consider yourself American Airlines royalty. Once you've flown 1 million qualifying miles, you'll earn Gold status for the life of the program, plus 35,000 bonus miles. At 2 million, you get lifetime Platinum status and four one-way systemwide upgrades.
Priority check-in and security screening lanes
In addition, we also offer curbside check-in and priority check-in areas: AAdvantage Platinum® members and above may check in at any First Class lane regardless of the class of service in which you are traveling on American Airlines.
- Fly on American Airlines, Oneworld partner airlines, JetBlue, and GOL Airlines.
- Spend on AAdvantage co-branded credit cards.
- Shop through AAdvantage eShopping portal.
- Dine at restaurants attached to AAdvantage Dining portal.
- Shop with SimplyMiles.
There are 50,000 – 60,000 Executive Platinum top tier American AAdvantage members. There are about the same number of Delta Diamond members.
Does AA Platinum get you into Admirals Club? ›AAdvantage members who are Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro or Platinum can access Admirals Club lounges when flying internationally on the routes mentioned above — AAdvantage elites don't qualify if they are only traveling within North America.
How often do you get upgraded with American as platinum? ›How often do Platinum Pro members get upgraded? Platinum Pro members get upgraded at least 72 hours to departure on all eligible itineraries where you can use a complimentary upgrade.
How hard is it to fly 1 million miles? ›To put a sense of scale to flying one million miles, consider that a JFK-LAX transcon is 2,475 miles. That means it would take 401 flights to qualify as a million miler. But even that would not earn you that status since the major domestic airline programs no longer count actual miles flown towards the status.
How often do you get upgraded with American Airlines Platinum? ›So, in total, Executive Platinum elite members may opt to get a total of five systemwide upgrades each year. If you keep earning Loyalty Points, you can choose up to two additional systemwide upgrades at each of the following thresholds: Level Three: 350,000 Loyalty Points. Level Four: 550,000 Loyalty Points.
Does American Platinum get lounge access? ›Having the Amex Platinum card will add unlimited worldwide lounge access to your travels for yourself, plus 2 guests at most lounges. You can visit for 15 minutes or 3 hours without considering whether it's worth the $50 per day pass fee for each person.
What boarding group is AA Platinum? ›
To be approved for the AAdvantage Platinum Select card, you'll need good to excellent credit (a credit score of 670-850).
Is AA Executive Platinum worth it? ›Is AA Executive Platinum worth it? Executive Platinum provides the most tiers out of any of the public status levels on American and comes with several really beneficial perks, including complimentary upgrades on all domestic routes and systemwide upgrades as part of a Loyalty Points Rewards program.
What does first waitlist on American Airlines mean? ›The waitlist is a computerized program that allows you to be placed on a list and wait for a specific class of service to become available in advance of going to the airport and taking your flight.
Does buying miles count towards status? ›Do my Personal Miles purchases help me qualify for MileagePlus Premier® status? Personal Miles purchases do not count towards qualification for MileagePlus Premier status levels.
What is the difference between AA Platinum and Platinum Pro? ›While the lower levels use earned or purchased coupons, Platinum Pro gets unlimited upgrades. If upgrades are important to you, reach for Platinum Pro status. For upgrade priority, Platinum Pros only have a 24-hour disadvantage compared to Executive Platinum as far as when upgrades can clear.
Is AA Platinum same as Sapphire? ›These tiers are: AAdvantage Gold – equivalent to oneworld Ruby – earned with 30,000 Loyalty Points. AAdvantage Platinum - equivalent to oneworld Sapphire - earned with 75,000 Loyalty Points. AAdvantage Platinum Pro - equivalent to oneworld Emerald - earned with 125,000 Loyalty Points.
What is the difference between American Executive Platinum and Platinum? ›Platinum member: 12,000 miles and 12,000 Loyalty Points (8 miles per dollar). Platinum Pro member: 13,500 miles and 13,500 Loyalty Points (9 miles per dollar). Executive Platinum member: 16,500 miles and 16,500 Loyalty Points (11 miles per dollar).
What credit card gets me access to admirals club? ›The only credit card that offers access to the Admirals Club lounge is the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card. Fortunately, you can also add up to 10 authorized users for no annual fee, all of whom will be able to access the Admirals Club when they travel without you.
Can you nap in an airport lounge? ›Many of the best Priority Pass lounges in the world are open 24/7, which makes catching a cat nap (or more) very easy. Keep in mind that some lounges frown upon people sleeping there, and many also have time limits on how long you can stay, so factor this into consideration when planning out your night.
Can I bring a guest to Admirals Club with a one day pass? ›
Guest access
Immediate family (spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18) or up to 2 guests. Guests must be accompanied by the eligible member and present boarding pass for same-day travel on American or any oneworld® airline.
AAdvantage® status members will automatically receive a complimentary upgrade from any eligible purchased, published fare in the Main Cabin or Premium Economy to the next class of service (Business or domestic First) for travel within North America on eligible American Airlines marketed and operated flights if space is ...
Can Platinum Pro use Flagship Lounge? ›AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum Members on Qualifying Flights. Regardless of cabin class, these individuals can access Flagship Lounges as long as they're booked on a qualifying flight (the same day or before 6 a.m. the following day).
What does booking code R mean on American Airlines? ›C, J, R, D and I: business class. W and P: premium economy. Y, H, K, M, L, G, V, S, N, Q, O and E: economy. B: basic economy.
How long does it take to hit 1000000 miles? ›So how far is one Million Miles? * It would take almost two years of driving 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 60 miles per hour to travel one million miles. * You would have to follow the equator around the Earth 40 times to go one million miles.
Is there a lifetime airline pass? ›Program. The program (now re-branded as AirPass) initially enabled passholders unlimited first class travel on any of the airline's flights worldwide. Lifetime membership was priced at $250,000, with the option to purchase a companion pass for an additional $150,000.
How many times does the average person fly in a lifetime? ›Based upon the calculation above, the average American can expect to take approximately 208 flights in their lifetime. That's a big number!
How many bags can an executive platinum check on American Airlines? ›Flagship® First and Flagship® Business Plus confirmed customers and AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum Pro® and oneworld® Emerald members can check 3 bags up to 70 lbs / 32 kgs at no extra cost. Note that complimentary bags may not apply to codeshare flights on our partners.
What does it mean to be platinum with American Airlines? ›AAdvantage Platinum ® status gives you priority over AAdvantage Gold ® members for upgrades to the premium cabin where more room, dining options and other comforts come standard.
What is AA concierge key? ›ConciergeKey is an invitation-only status above Executive Platinum. The tier doesn't have any published earning requirements, but those invited in receive a host of benefits including top upgrade priority, airport transfers, and expedited airport and ticketing assistance, among many perks.
Can my wife use my Platinum card for lounge access? ›
Platinum Card Members and Centurion Card Members may enter with up to two guests at no additional charge. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card Members may bring guests at a per-visit rate equal to the guest fee of the respective Escape Lounge location.
How to get free access to Admirals Club? ›If you're flying in first or business class on select international, transcontinental or other domestic flights marketed and operated by American, its Oneworld airline partners or marketed by JetBlue and operated by American, you'll get complimentary Admirals Club access.
Do Platinum members get priority boarding? ›Platinum status members receive the same airport amenities as both lower- and higher-tier elites: priority check-in, priority security, and priority boarding. In airports where there is a priority check-in counter, you're able to use it.
Why am I always Group 9 on American Airlines? ›How are American Airlines boarding groups assigned? American passengers are put in the highest group for which they qualify. For example, basic economy passengers are typically assigned to Group 9. However, if a passenger with AAdvantage Gold elite status books a basic economy ticket, they will get upgraded to Group 4.
How to get Group 6 on American Airlines? ›Boarding group 6 on American Airlines includes all AAdvantage members.
How do I keep my AA Platinum status? ›Once you earn enough Loyalty Points for your desired elite status by the end of February 2023, you'll keep your status through March 31, 2024. You'll also need at least 30 qualifying segments during your qualification period if you want to earn Loyalty Choice Rewards as a Platinum Pro elite member or higher.
How many AA loyalty points do you need for platinum? ›New AAdvantage elite status requirements and timing
40,000 Loyalty Points for AAdvantage Gold. 75,000 Loyalty Points for AAdvantage Platinum. 125,000 Loyalty Points for AAdvantage Platinum Pro. 200,000 Loyalty Points for AAdvantage Executive Platinum.
If you are interested in being considered for the Amex Centurion black card, you can request an invitation. Credit score – You must have an exceptional credit score ranging somewhere between 800 and 850 to qualify.
Can AA Platinum use Admirals Club? ›Complimentary access
Additionally, American AAdvantage members with Platinum status or higher and Alaska Mileage Plan members with MVP Gold status or higher can access Admirals Club lounges (with one guest) when traveling in any cabin on a qualifying international flight with American Airlines or a Oneworld partner.
American Airlines CCO, Vasu Raja stated the demand for first-class has diminished on international flights and business-class seats are more in demand. Therefore there was no point to continue to offer first-class seats that no one wants to buy. “The quality of the business class seat has improved so much.
Does AA Gold get lounge access? ›
Earn AAdvantage elite status
Alaska MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold elites automatically received a status match to Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire, respectively, and can access Admirals lounges.
If your waitlist position is number 1 (one), it means that you are next in line to receive an email when an open seat becomes available.
What is the benefit of platinum status? ›Platinum status is the second-lowest tier in the American Airlines AAdvantage program and offers complimentary auto-requested upgrades, a 48-hour upgrade window, a 60% elite mileage bonus, complimentary Main Cabin Extra and Preferred seats, and 2 free checked bags.
How often do AA Platinum get upgraded? ›How often do Platinum Pro members get upgraded? Platinum Pro members get upgraded at least 72 hours to departure on all eligible itineraries where you can use a complimentary upgrade.