The newly revamped loyalty program American Airlines announced in October 2021 is set to begin Tuesday, the carrier announced.
The key difference in the new iteration of the AAdvantage program is that elite-tier qualifications now will be tracked by one metric: loyalty points. One qualifying mile earned equals one loyalty point, according to the carrier. Members can earn points by flying American and its partners or from purchases made with an AAdvantage credit card.
Members for 2022 must accumulate 30,000 points for Gold status, 75,000 for Platinum status, 125,000 for Platinum Pro status and 200,000 for Executive Platinum status. Once a member has attained a status level, it will be valid through March 31 of the following year.
American will expand complimentary upgrade access for Gold and Platinum members to include all flights on American within North America regardless of the flight distance. For travel starting March 2, the carrier automatically will request an upgrade if everyone in the reservation is eligible for one. Members will need to use 500-mile upgrades if they want to upgrade travel companions who have not achieved a status level.
Later in 2022, American will extend complimentary upgrades to one companion traveling on the same flight as a status member, according to the carrier. At that time, all existing 500-mile upgrades in members' accounts each will convert to 250 loyalty points toward the 2022 status qualification period.