Your final information to American Airways AAdvantage – The Factors Man

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American Airways is without doubt one of the largest airways on the planet, and its AAdvantage loyalty program is in style with many vacationers. Whereas American miles have seen some modifications over the previous few years — together with a current removing of revealed award charts — you’ll be able to nonetheless get a ton of worth from this system, particularly for those who can make the most of its candy spots.

And final 12 months, American utterly overhauled how flyers qualify for AAdvantage elite standing. Quite than being primarily based solely on flying, you now earn Loyalty Factors throughout all kinds of actions within the AAdvantage program — together with through bank cards, on-line procuring, eating and extra.

This is the whole lot you have to know in regards to the American AAdvantage loyalty program.

American Airways companions

American Airways is a part of the Oneworld alliance, so you’ll be able to earn and redeem miles with a handful of worldwide companions. American elite members usually get advantages when flying with companion airways, corresponding to lounge entry, an additional baggage allowance and extra on member airways:

• Alaska Airways.
• British Airways.
• Cathay Pacific.
• Fiji Airways (Oneworld Join member).
• Finnair.
• Iberia.
• Japan Airways.
• Malaysia Airways.
• Qantas.
• Qatar Airways.
• Royal Air Maroc.
• Royal Jordanian Airways.
• SriLankan Airways.

The airline additionally companions with a handful of airways outdoors of Oneworld, together with:

• Air Tahiti Nui.
• Cape Air.
• China Southern Airways.
• Etihad Airways.
• Gol Airways.
• Hawaiian Airways.
• IndiGo.
• JetBlue.
• Silver Airways.

Nonetheless, every companion has its personal standards for how one can earn or redeem miles with American, so you’ll want to evaluate the particular companion web page for full particulars.

Elite standing

American AAdvantage has 4 public ranges of elite standing — Gold, Platinum, Platinum Professional and Govt Platinum — plus an invite-only degree known as Concierge Key.

American Airways utterly modified the way you earn AAdvantage elite standing in 2022. Now, you care about only one metric: Loyalty Factors.

You earn Loyalty Factors once you fly on American, spend with a cobranded bank card or with choose AAdvantage companions. Typically, one base mile earned is the same as one Loyalty Level. So for those who earn 500 base miles on an American Airways flight, you earn 500 Loyalty Factors. Likewise, spending $1,000 on a cobranded bank card would earn 1,000 Loyalty Factors.

Right here’s the variety of Loyalty Factors it’s essential to earn within the present qualification interval — March 1, 2023, by means of Feb. 29, 2024 — for every elite standing tier:

• Gold: 40,000 Loyalty Factors.
• Platinum: 75,000 Loyalty Factors.
• Platinum Professional: 125,000 Loyalty Factors.
• Govt Platinum: 200,000 Loyalty Factors.

As an AAdvantage Gold member, you’ll get a 40% standing mileage bonus, complimentary Fundamental Cabin Additional seats at check-in when out there, complimentary Most popular seats at reserving when out there and one free checked bag on itineraries marketed and operated by American Airways.

In the meantime, Platinum members get a 60% mileage bonus, complimentary Fundamental Cabin Additional and Most popular seats at reserving and two free checked luggage on itineraries marketed and operated by American Airways.

Platinum Professional members get an 80% mileage bonus, complimentary Fundamental Cabin Additional and Most popular seats at reserving when out there and three free checked luggage on itineraries marketed and operated by American Airways.

Lastly, Govt Platinum members get a 120% standing mileage bonus, complimentary Fundamental Cabin Additional and Most popular seats at reserving when out there and three free checked luggage on itineraries marketed and operated by American Airways.

All AAdvantage elites have entry to complimentary upgrades on American-marketed and -operated flights inside and between the U.S. (together with Hawaii), Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Central America for themselves and one companion. Nonetheless, solely Govt Platinum members get complimentary upgrades on award flights.

AAdvantage Govt Platinum and Platinum Professional members additionally get space-available complimentary upgrades on Alaska Airways flights, besides when flying on Alaska Airways Saver Fares.

AAdvantage elites get Oneworld standing, which offers perks when flying on different Oneworld airways. Particularly, AAdvantage Gold members get Oneworld Ruby, Platinum members get Oneworld Sapphire and Platinum Professional and Govt Platinum members get Oneworld Emerald standing.

Lastly, American awards a sequence of Loyalty Level Rewards as vacationers hit sure thresholds of Loyalty Factors in the course of the qualification 12 months — beginning at 15,000.

Associated: What’s American Airways elite standing price?

Easy methods to earn AAdvantage miles

There are various methods to earn AAdvantage miles. Beneath is a abstract of the highest methods.

Fly on American Airways

If you fly on an American-marketed flight, you’ll often earn miles based on the bottom value of your ticket — which means with out taxes and charges. The miles you earn additionally range primarily based in your AAdvantage elite standing. The upper your standing, the extra miles you’ll earn.

Right here’s what number of miles every standing tier earns per greenback spent:

• No standing: 5 miles.
• Gold: 7 miles.
• Platinum: 8 miles.
• Platinum Professional: 9 miles.
• Govt Platinum: 11 miles.

Associated: Easy methods to earn miles within the American Airways AAdvantage program

Fly on companion airways

It’s also possible to earn AAdvantage miles on flights marketed by American’s companions. For many companions, you’ll earn miles and Loyalty Factors primarily based on flight distance. Nonetheless, the precise incomes fee will depend on the fare class of your ticket. Right here’s an instance of the incomes chart for British Airways-operated flights:

Get and use American Airways bank cards

One of many best methods to earn American AAdvantage miles is thru American Airways bank cards. This is a listing of present affords:

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Govt World Elite Mastercard®: Earn 50,000 miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Earn 2 miles per greenback on eligible American Airways purchases. Earn 1 mile per greenback spent on different purchases.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Choose® World Elite Mastercard®: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Earn 2 AAdvantage miles per greenback on gasoline station, restaurant and eligible American Airways purchases and 1 mile per greenback on different purchases.
• CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Choose® Mastercard®: Earn 65,000 American Airways AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases inside the first 4 months of account opening. Earn 2 AAdvantage miles per greenback on eligible American Airways purchases plus telecom retailers, cable and satellite tv for pc suppliers, automotive leases and gasoline stations. Earn 1 mile per greenback on different purchases.
• American Airways AAdvantage® MileUp®: Earn 10,000 bonus miles and a $50 assertion credit score after spending $500 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening. Earn 2 AAdvantage miles per greenback on grocery retailer and eligible American Airways purchases and 1 mile per greenback on different purchases.
• AAdvantage® Aviator® Purple World Elite Mastercard®: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after making your first buy within the first 90 days and paying the annual payment. Earn 2 AAdvantage miles per greenback on American Airways purchases and 1 mile per greenback on different purchases.
• AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Enterprise Mastercard®: Earn 50,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 90 days. Plus one other 25,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 within the first 12 months. Earn 2 AAdvantage miles per greenback on workplace provide, telecom, automotive rental and eligible American Airways purchases, and 1 mile per greenback on different purchases.

The data for the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Choose, AAdvantage Aviator Purple and AAdvantage Aviator Enterprise playing cards have been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuers.

Keep in mind that the sign-up bonuses and bonus class earnings gained’t get you Loyalty Factors towards AAdvantage elite standing. You’ll solely earn one Loyalty Level per greenback spent on American Airways playing cards.

Associated: Selecting the most effective bank card for American Airways flyers

Switch Bilt factors

American AAdvantage companions with only one transferable factors forex: Bilt Rewards. You’ll be able to switch your Bilt factors to your AAdvantage account at a 1:1 ratio, so for those who’re at present incomes Bilt factors by paying lease, this is usually a nice choice on your rewards.

Associated: How (and why) it is best to earn transferable factors in 2023

Click on by means of the AAdvantage procuring portal earlier than procuring on-line

If you click on by means of the AAdvantage procuring portal, you’ll be able to earn additional miles when making purchases with choose on-line retailers for procuring on-line. Utilizing the portal is straightforward: Join an account after which click on by means of the portal to your service provider of alternative earlier than procuring on-line.

Associated: Maximizing procuring portals on your on-line purchases

Use SimplyMiles

American affords a program known as SimplyMiles that lets you earn miles when procuring on-line or in particular person with choose retailers. You’ll first want to join SimplyMiles, hyperlink a number of Credit cards to your profile and enroll in affords.

Then, once you use a linked Mastercard to make an eligible buy at a service provider for which you’ve enrolled in a suggestion, you’ll earn AAdvantage miles.

Dine at eating places that take part in AAdvantage Eating

AAdvantage Eating is just like the AAdvantage procuring portal however for consuming out. Simply join an account and hyperlink your favourite playing cards for eating. When you achieve this, you’ll earn miles once you dine at taking part eating places.

You’ll be able to earn 5 AAdvantage miles per greenback spent as a VIP member, 3 AAdvantage miles per greenback spent as a Choose member and 1 AAdvantage mile per greenback spent as a fundamental member.

Ebook by means of AAdvantage journey companions

American Airways companions with main automotive rental firms so its members can earn miles on automotive leases. Take a look at AAdvantage’s automotive rental companion web page for info on companions and incomes charges.

It’s also possible to earn AAdvantage miles on resort stays as follows:

• American Airways Resorts: Earn as much as 10,000 miles per evening.
• Hyatt: Earn 500 miles every keep.
• IHG: Earn as much as 2 miles per greenback spent at choose resorts.
• Marriott: Earn as much as 2 miles per greenback spent at choose resorts.
• Rocketmiles: Earn as much as 10,000 miles every evening.

Moreover, Hyatt and American loyalists can earn extra rewards by linking accounts. After linking accounts, AAdvantage elites can earn one AAdvantage mile for each eligible greenback spent on qualifying Hyatt stays and experiences.

Along with the resort and rental automotive companions talked about above, you’ll be able to earn miles on trip packages booked at aavacations.com or cruises booked at bookaacruises.com.

Open a financial savings account

If you happen to open a financial savings account with Bask Financial institution, you’ll be able to elect to earn AAdvantage miles as a substitute of money because the curiosity in your account. You’ll be able to learn our evaluation right here: Introducing Bask Financial institution, a brand new method to earn miles. Sadly, miles earned with Bask Financial institution don’t rely as Loyalty Factors.

Purchase AAdvantage miles

Lastly, you should buy American Airways miles. Preserve an eye fixed out for promotions that will let you purchase American Airways miles with a bonus or a reduction.

Associated: You’ll be able to at present purchase factors and miles with as much as a 100% bonus — however must you?

Easy methods to redeem AAdvantage miles

You’ll often get the most effective worth from once you redeem your American AAdvantage miles for flights. TPG’s most up-to-date valuations estimate American miles to be price 1.77 cents every, so attempt to get no less than this worth when redeeming miles.

Redeeming miles for American-operated flights

To learn how many miles an American-operated flight will price, head to the American Airways web site or cellular app and do an award search.

AAdvantage redemptions for journey on American at the moment are completely priced dynamically, permitting the airline to regulate the award fee for any flight. It is also price noting that you may’t change these “Flight Awards,” as American now calls them – all modifications should be made by canceling your ticket, redepositing your miles and rebooking a brand new flight.

Accomplice awards

American companions with over a dozen airways, a lot of that are world-renowned for his or her wonderful premium-cabin merchandise. You need to use your American miles to fly merchandise corresponding to Japan Airways’ firstclass from New York to Tokyo (80,000 miles every means) or Qatar Qsuite to the Maldives (70,000 miles every means).

Nonetheless, these flights aren’t at all times out there to companion airways, because the working service should launch saver-level award stock.

American Airways Enterprise Additional

The American Airways Enterprise Additional program lets firms with no less than three staff earn rewards for his or her staff’ journey.

This program is free, and when you join, your small business can “double dip” on American and choose Oneworld flights. Enterprise Additional members earn 1 level per 5 {dollars} spent on qualifying flights on American, British Airways, Iberia and Japan Airways, and Finnair and Qantas flights bought by American.

The redemption choices in this system range in worth. The very best worth is utilizing your Enterprise Additional factors without spending a dime flights and upgrades. Redeeming for award journey on American, British Airways, Iberia and Japan Airways can also be attainable.

Associated: Information to incomes and burning with American Airways’ Enterprise Additional program

AAdvantage Candy spots

Whereas American makes it comparatively straightforward to redeem miles throughout its personal community, there are numerous awards that may supply spectacular worth. These “candy spots” usually get you nicely over TPG’s valuation of AAdvantage miles.

This is just some of those terrific redemptions.

Premium cabin flights to Japan or South Korea

American Airways divides Asia into three award areas: Asia Area 1, Asia Area 2 and South Pacific. Asia 1 covers Japan and Korea, whereas Asia 2 consists of Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

The decrease costs on premium flights to Asia 1 apply to Oneworld companions corresponding to Japan Airways. So, you’ll be able to e-book JAL firstclass from San Francisco to Tokyo for less than 80,000 miles.

Qatar Qsuite to the Center East

One other terrific redemption is Qatar’s improbable Qsuite product — arguably one of the simplest ways to succeed in the Center East on factors and miles.

Awards price 70,000 miles every means between the U.S. and the Center East or the Indian subcontinent. 75,000 miles every means from the U.S. will get you to locations in Africa like Seychelles, Mauritius or South Africa.

Off-peak awards

Although American has now eradicated saver and anytime awards, it is not eradicating award charts, a transfer that was popularized by Delta again in 2015 and adopted by United in 2019.

As a substitute, American’s refreshed award chart shows “beginning at” values for Flight Awards and these will be nice worth if you could find seats on the lowest ranges.

Backside line

The American Airways AAdvantage program is way from good. But when you know the way to make it work, there’s nonetheless loads of worth, specific for redemptions on companion airways, the place wise award charts nonetheless exist.

If you happen to’re pondering of incomes miles with the AAdvantage program, we advocate making use of for an American Airways bank card. Doing so can provide you a giant stash of miles from the sign-up bonus and the flexibility to proceed to earn miles along with your every day spending. It’s additionally price utilizing the AAdvantage procuring portal and SimplyMiles, particularly if you wish to earn Loyalty Factors and qualify for American Airways elite standing.

Extra reporting by Ben Smithson, Ehsan Haque and Andrew Kunesh.