Oct 14, 2020, 9:25 am
Last edit by: JDiver
Aadvantage elite earning requirements have been adjusted for 2021, and other changes have been made.
AAdvantage 2021
AAdvantage members can start earning elite status in 2021 right now. American will count all elite qualifying flight activity flown in the fourth quarter of 2020 toward a member’s 2021 qualifications.
AAdvantage 2021 tier requirements
Gold $2,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD), 20 EQ Segments (EQS) or 20,000 EQ Miles (EQM)
Platinum $4,500 EQD, 45 EQS or 40,000 EQM
Platinum Pro $7,000 EQD, 70 EQS or 60,000 EQM
Executive Platinum $12,000 EQD, 95 EQS or 80,000 EQM
Elite status achieved in 2021 is valid through Jan. 31, 2023.
For 2021, American will also waive the elite qualifying dollar requirement for Gold, Platinum and Platinum Pro if members spend $30,000 on purchases with their eligible AAdvantage credit cards. This gives members another way to achieve their elite status goal.
Rewarding our most loyal members
American thanks our elite members for their continued loyalty by making status even more rewarding in 2021. Awaiting Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum members is a curated menu of rewards, including items such as systemwide upgrades, Admirals Club day passes, bonus AAdvantage miles and more. This choice of rewards gives members achieving status in 2021 the flexibility to select the reward they value the most. More details will be coming soon.
Caring for elite status into 2021
As a reminder, in April, AAdvantage Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum elite members at that time had their status automatically extended to Jan. 31, 2022, given the reduced travel this year due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Elite benefits now available on Basic Economy fares
Since Oct. 1, elite members enjoy benefits such as priority access, upgrades privileges, access to Preferred and Main Cabin Extra Seats and same-day confirmed flight changes during their journey on Basic Economy fares.
To upgrade, elite members can use their 500-mile upgrade certificates, systemwide upgrade certificates or mileage award upgrades just as they do today with a Main Cabin fare.
- AAdvantage® members will get a head start on earning elite status for 2021 with an extra three months to earn towards elite qualification.
- Members who use AAdvantage credit cards have an additional path to status.
- Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum members rewarded for their loyalty with a new rewards menu.
- Elite members now enjoy benefits when traveling on a Basic Economy fare.
- AAdvantage members can view complete program details on aa.com/programupdates.
AAdvantage 2021
AAdvantage members can start earning elite status in 2021 right now. American will count all elite qualifying flight activity flown in the fourth quarter of 2020 toward a member’s 2021 qualifications.
AAdvantage 2021 tier requirements
Gold $2,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD), 20 EQ Segments (EQS) or 20,000 EQ Miles (EQM)
Platinum $4,500 EQD, 45 EQS or 40,000 EQM
Platinum Pro $7,000 EQD, 70 EQS or 60,000 EQM
Executive Platinum $12,000 EQD, 95 EQS or 80,000 EQM
Elite status achieved in 2021 is valid through Jan. 31, 2023.
For 2021, American will also waive the elite qualifying dollar requirement for Gold, Platinum and Platinum Pro if members spend $30,000 on purchases with their eligible AAdvantage credit cards. This gives members another way to achieve their elite status goal.
Rewarding our most loyal members
American thanks our elite members for their continued loyalty by making status even more rewarding in 2021. Awaiting Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum members is a curated menu of rewards, including items such as systemwide upgrades, Admirals Club day passes, bonus AAdvantage miles and more. This choice of rewards gives members achieving status in 2021 the flexibility to select the reward they value the most. More details will be coming soon.
Caring for elite status into 2021
As a reminder, in April, AAdvantage Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum elite members at that time had their status automatically extended to Jan. 31, 2022, given the reduced travel this year due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Elite benefits now available on Basic Economy fares
Since Oct. 1, elite members enjoy benefits such as priority access, upgrades privileges, access to Preferred and Main Cabin Extra Seats and same-day confirmed flight changes during their journey on Basic Economy fares.
To upgrade, elite members can use their 500-mile upgrade certificates, systemwide upgrade certificates or mileage award upgrades just as they do today with a Main Cabin fare.
AA Elite for 2021 - Adjusted qualifying requirements and more announced
Oct 15, 2020, 7:26 pm
#61
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Per AA website:
American Airlines may, in its discretion, change the AAdvantage® program rules, regulations, travel awards and special offers at any time with or without notice.
AA can change the qualification criteria for any level of elite status in the AAdvantage Program.
American Airlines may, in its discretion, change the AAdvantage® program rules, regulations, travel awards and special offers at any time with or without notice.
AA can change the qualification criteria for any level of elite status in the AAdvantage Program.
Oct 16, 2020, 2:29 pm
#62
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles& Telluride
Programs: UA1K, 1MM,AA Exec. Platinum, Global Entry, Nexus
Posts: 731
It’s a nice gesture for sure. I’ve got three trips between now and end of the year so I’ll pick up about 25,000 EQMs right off the bat. A lot of 2021 Intl travel will depend on country travel policies. Was hoping to go to Japan, but they are closed until April????. Was hoping to go to IST and that’s looking ok. But nobody knows and I know I won’t be one of the first people to get inoculated with the vaccine whenever that happens. I’ll bet another AA pivot is coming in 21 if the world is still a hot mess.
Oct 16, 2020, 6:51 pm
#64
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Hawaii
Programs: AA EXP, HA PL, Hilton 💎, Marriott Ti, Wyndham/Caesars 💎, Hertz PC
Posts: 343
Will flights on partner metal that you choose to credit with Aadvantage count towards this (specifically the 3-month head-start)? There are some sweet spots for AS, especially if one is willing to take a less direct route, given AS's mileage-based status earning.
Oct 17, 2020, 4:13 pm
#65
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
"All base EQMs, EQSs, and EQDs earned based on flights taken from October 1 – December 31, 2020, will also count toward your 2021 requirements. We’ll automatically roll them over after January 1, 2021."
There is no asterisk or footnote indicating that it must be on AA metal only but not sure if AA is intentionally being vague about this
Oct 18, 2020, 12:08 am
#66
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA Gold AAdvantage Elite, Rapids Reward
Posts: 38,321
Oct 18, 2020, 8:46 am
#67
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,313
I thought you would only get distance-based credit if you credit your AS flights to the AS program?
Oct 18, 2020, 9:18 am
#68
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: AA PPro
Posts: 632
Oct 18, 2020, 11:07 am
#69
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Hawaii
Programs: AA EXP, HA PL, Hilton 💎, Marriott Ti, Wyndham/Caesars 💎, Hertz PC
Posts: 343
Nope, it is a formula chart based on distance, much like AA special fares or other partner airline programs: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...a-airlines.jsp
Oct 18, 2020, 11:48 am
#70
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Honolulu, HI / San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA EXP, Alaska MVP 75k, IHG Spire, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 277
That status rollover is nice and almost makes me want to book a big MR before end of year. I'm currently sitting at $4600 EQD / 50,000 EQM but haven't flown since March.
So if I booked one big trip to get 4400 EQD and 40,000 EQM... then I could get 4 sys-wide upgrades, 40,000 redeemable points (bonus threshold), and then also have a big head start for next year.
Problem now is finding a destination / MR deal since most long-haul destinations are restricted.
So if I booked one big trip to get 4400 EQD and 40,000 EQM... then I could get 4 sys-wide upgrades, 40,000 redeemable points (bonus threshold), and then also have a big head start for next year.
Problem now is finding a destination / MR deal since most long-haul destinations are restricted.
Oct 18, 2020, 12:39 pm
#71
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,502
As per AA:
"All base EQMs, EQSs, and EQDs earned based on flights taken from October 1 – December 31, 2020, will also count toward your 2021 requirements. We’ll automatically roll them over after January 1, 2021."
There is no asterisk or footnote indicating that it must be on AA metal only but not sure if AA is intentionally being vague about this
"All base EQMs, EQSs, and EQDs earned based on flights taken from October 1 – December 31, 2020, will also count toward your 2021 requirements. We’ll automatically roll them over after January 1, 2021."
There is no asterisk or footnote indicating that it must be on AA metal only but not sure if AA is intentionally being vague about this
Oct 18, 2020, 12:57 pm
#72
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SAN, BOS
Programs: AS MVPG100K, BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat,
Posts: 2,281
That status rollover is nice and almost makes me want to book a big MR before end of year. I'm currently sitting at $4600 EQD / 50,000 EQM but haven't flown since March.
So if I booked one big trip to get 4400 EQD and 40,000 EQM... then I could get 4 sys-wide upgrades, 40,000 redeemable points (bonus threshold), and then also have a big head start for next year.
Problem now is finding a destination / MR deal since most long-haul destinations are restricted.
So if I booked one big trip to get 4400 EQD and 40,000 EQM... then I could get 4 sys-wide upgrades, 40,000 redeemable points (bonus threshold), and then also have a big head start for next year.
Problem now is finding a destination / MR deal since most long-haul destinations are restricted.
Oct 19, 2020, 10:16 am
#74
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,433
double dip
AA is letting us start our 2021 qualification in Q4 2020
if we hit the Citi spend requirement or Barclays spend requirement in q4 and get 10K EQM and 3K EQD in Q4 2020 and then hit the spend in Q1 2021 on both cards, can we essentially get 20K EQM and 6K EQD towards the 2021 qualification period
if we hit the Citi spend requirement or Barclays spend requirement in q4 and get 10K EQM and 3K EQD in Q4 2020 and then hit the spend in Q1 2021 on both cards, can we essentially get 20K EQM and 6K EQD towards the 2021 qualification period
Oct 19, 2020, 10:25 am
#75
Join Date: Dec 2019
Programs: AA: Exec Plat; AC: 75K; JX: Explorer; HH: Dia; Bonvoy: Gold; Wyndham: Dia
Posts: 299
AA is letting us start our 2021 qualification in Q4 2020
if we hit the Citi spend requirement or Barclays spend requirement in q4 and get 10K EQM and 3K EQD in Q4 2020 and then hit the spend in Q1 2021 on both cards, can we essentially get 20K EQM and 6K EQD towards the 2021 qualification period
if we hit the Citi spend requirement or Barclays spend requirement in q4 and get 10K EQM and 3K EQD in Q4 2020 and then hit the spend in Q1 2021 on both cards, can we essentially get 20K EQM and 6K EQD towards the 2021 qualification period
Last edited by ramcm7; Oct 19, 2020 at 12:30 pm