American Airlines updates AAdvantage program, letting travelers unlock benefits sooner
JetBlue overhauls loyalty program
“We’re creating a more meaningful travel rewards program for our AAdvantage members,” American’s Chief Commercial Officer Vasu Raja said in a statement. “Only our members will have access to everything American has to offer.”
Here’s what American’s customers can expect once the changes are implemented in March.
Can AAdvantage members have benefits before status?
One of the biggest changes rolling out for AAdvantage members next year is the availability of certain perks before reaching the lowest level of elite status.
Once a member accrues 15,000 Loyalty Points, they will be able to board with Group 5 for the rest of the membership year. They’ll also have the choice to bump up to Group 4 along with other priority privileges for one trip, or receive five preferred seat coupons.
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Even above the highest level of AAdvantage status, members who keep accruing Loyalty Points will continue unlocking benefits.
Executive Platinum status is achieved with 200,000 Loyalty Points, but other rewards are available at 550,000, 750,000, 1 million, 3 million and other higher point thresholds.
At 550,000 Loyalty Points, members can choose between two perks, including bonus redeemable miles, a systemwide upgrade, the ability to gift Platinum status to someone else, lounge passes and more.
Does it cost anything to enroll in the AAdvantage program?
No, enrollment in AAdvantage is free. Travelers can sign up online.
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Even so, Samp said, the airline isn’t worried about non-elite flyers diluting the benefits of the program.
“At this point we are not seeing any degradation in terms of benefits. Our members are very happy with the program, but we’ll constantly be assessing the landscape,” she said.
New ways to spend AAdvantage miles and other changes
AAdvantage members who hold a co-branded MasterCard will also be able to redeem their airline miles for experiences through the card.
Some of the options for those redemptions include private dinners, sporting events and theatrical performances.
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Samp also said as part of the program’s evolution, the airline is lifting the cap on how many redeemable miles a traveler could earn on their trips. Previously, passengers could earn no more than 75,000 miles per ticket.
AAdvantage members will also earn two miles per dollar spent on basic economy tickets issued beginning Jan. 1 for travel on or after March 1, down from five miles per dollar currently.