American Airlines has some positive updates for its AAdvantage loyalty program members.
On December 12, the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier announced its annual loyalty changes that will go into effect through the 2025 membership year, and the good news is that things are only getting better.
Here’s what you need to know about American loyalty plans for 2025.
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There is no change in the status threshold
Good news for those on the elite status hamster wheel: American will not change the thresholds required to attain and earn status. Loyalty Point Awards.
American’s status year runs from March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026, and you’ll need to earn the following number of loyalty points to earn or qualify for status during that period.
- Gold: 40,000 loyalty points
- Platinum: 75,000 loyalty points
- Platinum Pro: 125,000 loyalty points
- Executive Platinum: 200,000 loyalty points
Last year, American introduced several new loyalty point rewards, and they’re all coming back for the 2025 program year.
It is interesting that American insists it is not changing the goalposts for status, especially in a year when its main rival, United, announced it would make it more difficult to gain status. (Delta already made it more difficult to achieve medallion status last year.)
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At some point, I imagine American will copy its competitors, but 2025 won’t be that year.
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More loyalty point rewards
Besides enjoying status benefits, American’s loyalty point rewards program lets travelers choose their favorite benefits as they move up the elite ranks.
Historically, popular choices have included systemwide upgrades and bonus miles, and while those choices are returning next year, Loyalty Point Rewards will also include some new choices in 2025.
This includes the option to choose a personalized, collectable luggage tag upon reaching 15,000 loyalty points.
Additionally, American will swap carbon offset credits at a 175,000 loyalty point threshold with donations to support sustainable aviation fuel use.
Finally, as previously announced, American reaffirmed that it will introduce World of Hyatt awards as part of its loyalty point rewards program next year.
The airline has already shared all the details for this next phase of the Hyatt partnership (which comes at the expense of reciprocal mileage and points earning), so be sure to check out TPG’s detailed guide to those changes.
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Long validity for system-wide upgrades
It’s been a year since American’s systemwide upgrade — one of the airline’s most sought-after perks — was historically chosen as a loyalty point reward.
But, starting March 1, 2025, all newly issued systemwide upgrades will be valid until March of the following status membership year.
For example, any systemwide upgrade received from March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026 will be valid until March 31, 2027.
As part of this news, American will extend any systemwide upgrades received during the 2024 program through March 31, 2026.
In addition to the extended finish, American recently introduced Ability to apply system-wide upgrades online.
New million miler status level
For those who choose American for long haul, the airline has some exciting news.
The carrier is adding new lifetime status levels starting March 1, 2025.
- 4 million miles: Lifetime AAdvantage Platinum Pro status
- 5 million miles: Lifetime AAdvantage Executive Platinum status
These new tiers join the existing tiers at 1 million miles (lifetime AAdvantage Gold status) and 2 million miles (lifetime AAdvantage Platinum status).
It’s interesting that American is skipping the three million mile threshold as part of this announcement; Perhaps the airline is reserving that threshold for a future fifth elite level that may be introduced in the future.
Redeem miles for onboard dining
In recent years, American has focused on increasing the utility of AAdvantage miles (even if it comes at the expense of favorable redemption rates).
The carrier announced Thursday that it will soon let travelers use miles toward onboard food and beverages. No word on redemption rates, but I imagine flight rewards will still offer the most value.
In addition to spending miles on onboard dining, the airline now lets you redeem for inflight Wi-Fi, lounge and flagship First Dining amenities, and sports games and concert tickets.
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Redeem miles at partners
In addition to the elite status changes, American announced Thursday that it will introduce mileage redemption next year with JetSMART, Aer Lingus and Oman Air.
The bottom line
American’s loyalty update for 2025 may sound a little boring, but it’s actually good news.
While the airline could have gone the United route and raised the status requirements significantly, American will keep its existing threshold, while also adding some new choices to the loyalty point rewards menu.
The other changes — more million miler tiers and the ability to redeem miles for onboard dining — don’t really move the needle for most travelers, but it seems American is happy where the program is, and that’s good news for people (especially big spenders). who have enjoyed the introduction of a loyalty points-based program.
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