Starting next year, it will be more difficult for Frequent Flyers to earn top acknowledgment from American Airlines vis-a-vis AAdvantage Executive Platinum status.
American is making Executive Platinum more difficult to attain, increasing spending requirements and offering additional bonuses to its biggest customers.
- Flyers must spend $15,000, up from $12,000 to qualify for Executive Platinum.
- The qualifying mileage requirement remains 100,000.
- For each additional 50,000 miles, Executive members earn a reward.
- Bonus reward can be two EVIP systemwide upgrades, 40,000 miles, or…
- Those who reach 150,000 qualifying miles (MQMs) can gift Gold status.
- Those who reach 200,000 MQMs can gift Platinum status.
- Those who reach 250,000 MQMs can gift Platinum status, again.
The increased spending requirement puts American on par with its competitors, though unlike Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, American doesn’t waive the spend requirement for those who spend loads on its airline credit cards. Bonuses offered for those who spend at least $25,000 on the Aviator Business AAdvantage card and $50,000 on the Aviator Silver AAdvantage card will be capped at 3,000 starting next year.
Additional EVIP upgrades can be used to upgrade into any available business or first class seat on any American Airlines flight. Image by American Airlines
Travel hackers who take advantage of credit card spend to earn top American status will grimace. On the other hand, improved exclusivity will become a feature — not a bug — for those who fly the most. Executive upgrade chances will likely improve as status holders who have been on the verge between Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum status fall back.
Bonus systemwide upgrades don’t hurt, either.
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2 comments
Upgrades are based on EQD anyway, so this shouldn’t really affect things. The EXP with $16k EQD gets upgraded before the EXP with $13k EQD.
It actually doesn’t make it any easier on frequent travelers, as upgrade lists are already ordered by trailing twelve month spend.