American Airlines (AA) is reworking the structure of its AAdvantage loyalty programme to a revenue-based model – the latest carrier to follow this trend in the aviation industry. In addition, it is making changes to how members qualify for elite status, and introducing a new elite level in 2017.
As of August 1, 2016, flights marketed by AA will earn award miles based on the price of the ticket purchased. Elite members will earn even more miles based on their status level.
†Base fare plus carrier-imposed fees, excluding any government-imposed taxes and fees
Award miles for travel on most flights marketed by partner airlines will be based on a percentage of the flight distance and the booking code purchased.
Beginning later this month, customers will be able to see an estimate of the number of miles and elite-qualifying credits they will earn for a chosen itinerary when booking their trip on aa.com.
As well as these changes, on January 1, 2017, the AAdvantage programme will add a new tier: Platinum Pro. Placed between Platinum and Executive Platinum levels, members will receive benefits including:
“American Airlines is evolving AAdvantage to continue our tradition of having the best loyalty programme in the world by rewarding our most loyal customers with the benefits they value the most,” said Andrew Nocella, American’s chief marketing officer.
For more information, visit aa.com/aadvantage2016
Jeremy Tredinnick
| Elite status level | AAdvantage member | Gold | Platinum | Executive Platinum |
| Miles earned per US$ spent† | 5 | 7 (40% bonus) | 8 (60% bonus) | 11 (120% bonus) |
- Complimentary auto-requested upgrades on all eligible flights within North America and between the US and Central America
- Earn 9 award miles/US$ (80 per cent bonus)
- Two free checked bags
- Oneworld Sapphire status
| Gold | Platinum | Platinum Pro | Executive Platinum |
| 25k EQMs or 30 EQSs | 50k EQMs or 60 EQSs | 75k EQMs or 90 EQSs | 100k EQMs or 120 EQSs |
| US$3k EQDs | US$6k EQDs | US$9k EQDs | US$12k EQDs |
