The American Airlines AAdvantage programme is one of the most well-established frequent flyer schemes in the world, providing members with opportunities to earn and redeem miles for flights, upgrades, and other rewards. Whether you’re an occasional traveller or a frequent flyer, understanding how AAdvantage works can help you maximise your benefits.
What is AAdvantage and How Does It Work?
AAdvantage is the loyalty programme of American Airlines, designed to reward customers for their travel with American Airlines and its partners. Members earn miles and loyalty points, which can be redeemed for free flights, cabin upgrades, and other benefits. The programme is free to join and is open to anyone who flies with American Airlines or its oneworld alliance and partner airlines.
Understanding AAdvantage Miles vs. Loyalty Points
AAdvantage operates with two key metrics: AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points.
- AAdvantage Miles: These can be used to book award flights, cabin upgrades, and other rewards.
- Loyalty Points: These determine elite status qualification. Earning more Loyalty Points gives you access to additional perks like priority boarding, free checked baggage, and complimentary upgrades. Unlike AAdvantage miles, Loyalty Points cannot be redeemed for flights or upgrades; instead, they serve as a measure of a member’s engagement with the programme.
How Loyalty Points Work
Loyalty Points are earned based on qualifying activities, including flights, credit card spending, and partner transactions. They are not a currency but rather a way to track elite status progress. Introduced in March 2022, they replaced the previous system of elite qualifying miles (EQMs) and elite qualifying dollars (EQDs), making it easier for travellers to monitor their status progress.
Loyalty Points reset annually on March 1, meaning that members must requalify for status each year. Bonus AAdvantage miles from promotions or credit card multipliers do not count towards Loyalty Points.
How to Earn AAdvantage Miles and Loyalty Points
AAdvantage members can earn miles and Loyalty Points in several ways:
- Flying with American Airlines, oneworld partners, and select partner airlines
- Using AAdvantage co-branded credit cards
- Shopping through the AAdvantage eShopping portal
- Dining with AAdvantage Dining partners
- Booking hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages with American Airlines partners
AAdvantage Partner Airlines
As part of the oneworld alliance, AAdvantage members can earn and redeem miles across a global network of 900+ destinations with the following airlines:
- Alaska Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Finnair
- Iberia
- Japan Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian
- SriLankan Airlines
Additionally, American Airlines partners with several non-oneworld airlines, including:
- Aer Lingus
- Etihad Airways
- Hawaiian Airlines
- IndiGo
- JetSmart
List of AAdvantage Partner Airlines
AAdvantage Elite Status and Benefits
The AAdvantage programme offers four elite status tiers and an invite-only Concierge Key tier. Each tier provides increasing benefits based on the number of Loyalty Points earned each year.
AAdvantage Gold (40,000 Loyalty Points)
Learn more about AAdvantage Gold
- Priority check-in, security, and boarding (Group 4 boarding)
- One free checked bag
- Complimentary upgrades on domestic flights (when available)
- 40% mileage bonus
AAdvantage Platinum (75,000 Loyalty Points)
Learn more about AAdvantage Platinum
- Two free checked bags
- Oneworld Sapphire status with lounge access
- Higher upgrade priority
- 60% mileage bonus
AAdvantage Platinum Pro (125,000 Loyalty Points)
Learn more about AAdvantage Platinum Pro
- Three free checked bags
- Oneworld Emerald status (highest tier)
- Complimentary upgrades and enhanced priority services
- 80% mileage bonus
AAdvantage Executive Platinum (200,000 Loyalty Points)
Learn more about AAdvantage Executive Platinum
- Highest upgrade priority and complimentary domestic upgrades
- Three free checked bags
- Exclusive customer service line and expanded rewards availability
- 120% mileage bonus
Concierge Key (Invitation Only)
Learn more about Concierge Key
- Highest priority for upgrades and services
- Dedicated customer service and chauffeur service between connections
- Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge access
Loyalty Point Rewards
As members earn Loyalty Points, they also unlock Loyalty Point Rewards, offering additional perks at key milestones:
- 15,000 Loyalty Points: Group 5 boarding and seat upgrade options
- 60,000 Loyalty Points: Avis Preferred Plus status and Loyalty Point bonuses
- 100,000 Loyalty Points: Avis President’s Club status and further bonuses
- 175,000 Loyalty Points: Systemwide upgrades, Admirals Club passes, or trip credits
- 250,000+ Loyalty Points: Enhanced choices, including Admirals Club membership or Bang & Olufsen products
- 1,000,000+ Loyalty Points: Premium benefits, including systemwide upgrades and bonus miles
Loyalty Point Rewards Explained
How to Calculate Miles Earned
For flights on American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, and JetSmart, miles are earned based on ticket price as follows:
- Base members: 5 miles per USD
- Gold: 7 miles per USD
- Platinum: 8 miles per USD
- Platinum Pro: 9 miles per USD
- Executive Platinum: 11 miles per USD
For partner airlines outside this model, earning is based on a percentage of distance flown and fare class, which varies by airline.
Is AAdvantage Worth It?
The AAdvantage programme remains one of the most valuable frequent flyer schemes, particularly for those who frequently travel with American Airlines and its oneworld partners. The introduction of Loyalty Points has simplified elite status qualification, while benefits such as lifetime status, extensive partner network, and flexible redemption options make AAdvantage a strong competitor in the travel loyalty space.
For beginners, the key takeaway is that even casual travellers can benefit from AAdvantage through simple activities like flying, using co-branded credit cards, or shopping with partners. Frequent flyers will find elite status perks extremely valuable, making travel smoother and more rewarding.
Whether travelling domestically or internationally, AAdvantage remains a leading choice for travellers looking to optimise their journeys.
