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 19, 2020, 11:16 am
#77
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,433
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. Keep in mind, bonus elite qualifying credits, such as those earned from an AAdvantage® credit card, will not roll over.
looks like they will not count
looks like they will not count
Oct 19, 2020, 12:39 pm
#78
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,433
Simple question for those who know.
If I have an AA Executive card with AUs, does the spend from the AUs go into my overall spend? IOWs, if I (the actual holder) spend a $1000 and my wife, the AU also spends $1000 on her card, does the total EQD = $2000 or only $1000?
Could not find the answer at Citi or AA.
TIA
If I have an AA Executive card with AUs, does the spend from the AUs go into my overall spend? IOWs, if I (the actual holder) spend a $1000 and my wife, the AU also spends $1000 on her card, does the total EQD = $2000 or only $1000?
Could not find the answer at Citi or AA.
TIA
Oct 19, 2020, 12:47 pm
#79
Join Date: Dec 2019
Programs: AA: Exec Plat; AC: 75K; JX: Explorer; HH: Dia; Bonvoy: Gold; Wyndham: Dia
Posts: 298
Simple question for those who know.
If I have an AA Executive card with AUs, does the spend from the AUs go into my overall spend? IOWs, if I (the actual holder) spend a $1000 and my wife, the AU also spends $1000 on her card, does the total EQD = $2000 or only $1000?
Could not find the answer at Citi or AA.
TIA
If I have an AA Executive card with AUs, does the spend from the AUs go into my overall spend? IOWs, if I (the actual holder) spend a $1000 and my wife, the AU also spends $1000 on her card, does the total EQD = $2000 or only $1000?
Could not find the answer at Citi or AA.
TIA
Oct 20, 2020, 8:43 am
#80
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 175
Underwhelmed
The AA offer to rollover EQM and EQDs from Oct - Dec 2020 is underwhelming. Despite an increase in domestic travel, there are still major restrictions on welcoming destinations which are likely to continue well into 2021. International travel for US citizens is banned to Europe, Asia, Australia,.... and even Canada indefinitely. So AA's plan to rollover 4th quarter EQM and EQD in lieu of rolling over pre-pandemic qualifying credit (as Delta is doing) leaves me feeling betrayed. I realize AA is lowering the threshold in 2021 for 2022 qualification, but they will still zero out all my pre-pandemic 2020 EQM and EQD on New Year's Eve. If AA wants to retain loyalty, they need to consider 2020 and 2021 as one combined year with qualifying credits from Jan 1 2020 through Dec 31 2021 counting towards 2022 status.
Oct 20, 2020, 10:49 am
#82
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
The AA offer to rollover EQM and EQDs from Oct - Dec 2020 is underwhelming. Despite an increase in domestic travel, there are still major restrictions on welcoming destinations which are likely to continue well into 2021. International travel for US citizens is banned to Europe, Asia, Australia,.... and even Canada indefinitely. So AA's plan to rollover 4th quarter EQM and EQD in lieu of rolling over pre-pandemic qualifying credit (as Delta is doing) leaves me feeling betrayed. I realize AA is lowering the threshold in 2021 for 2022 qualification, but they will still zero out all my pre-pandemic 2020 EQM and EQD on New Year's Eve. If AA wants to retain loyalty, they need to consider 2020 and 2021 as one combined year with qualifying credits from Jan 1 2020 through Dec 31 2021 counting towards 2022 status.
Oct 23, 2020, 5:43 am
#83
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,433
AA is my secondary carrier, so I know less about it's elite program. I am only a Plat. I have several questions which diligence has not provided enlightenment 
If I obtain an elite level by 12/31/20 (say I make it to Gold) but am already a Plat, how do I benefit since my Plat status is assured until 12/22 (or later)?
If I obtain my new Gold status by a combination of segments, EQDs and EQMs, how does my obtaining 10K of those EQMs through AA credit card spending impact my roll-over. In other words, say I flew 15K BIS miles and obtained 10K EQMs through the credit card (thereby making it to Gold, EQDs not an issue), what would exactly get rolled over? .....my Gold status? (which in my limited understanding is worthless since I will already be a Plat for year 2022).
According to the T&C's all that would roll over would be my BIS miles and my AA spend (not CC spend) for EQDs.
If I obtain Gold status, this will remain in effect for how many additional years....till 1/24? If that answer is no...only until 1/23, then that is when my current Plat status would expire. I see no benefit here.
So, if I have this correctly parsed out, if I already have a higher status, earning a lower status is basically worthless unless I am not going to reach my current Plat status in 2022. Furthermore, will AA allow me to keep my 2022 Gold status earned this year if part of it was earned by CC EQMs?
And if I read this correctly, even if I have earned Gold (while still being a Plat
), I will be a "shortchanged" Gold since 10K EQM will disappear since they are CC EQMs which do not roll over.
It shouldn't take this much work to figure out an awards program
If I obtain an elite level by 12/31/20 (say I make it to Gold) but am already a Plat, how do I benefit since my Plat status is assured until 12/22 (or later)?
If I obtain my new Gold status by a combination of segments, EQDs and EQMs, how does my obtaining 10K of those EQMs through AA credit card spending impact my roll-over. In other words, say I flew 15K BIS miles and obtained 10K EQMs through the credit card (thereby making it to Gold, EQDs not an issue), what would exactly get rolled over? .....my Gold status? (which in my limited understanding is worthless since I will already be a Plat for year 2022).
According to the T&C's all that would roll over would be my BIS miles and my AA spend (not CC spend) for EQDs.
If I obtain Gold status, this will remain in effect for how many additional years....till 1/24? If that answer is no...only until 1/23, then that is when my current Plat status would expire. I see no benefit here.
So, if I have this correctly parsed out, if I already have a higher status, earning a lower status is basically worthless unless I am not going to reach my current Plat status in 2022. Furthermore, will AA allow me to keep my 2022 Gold status earned this year if part of it was earned by CC EQMs?
And if I read this correctly, even if I have earned Gold (while still being a Plat
), I will be a "shortchanged" Gold since 10K EQM will disappear since they are CC EQMs which do not roll over.It shouldn't take this much work to figure out an awards program
Oct 23, 2020, 7:01 am
#84
Join Date: Dec 2019
Programs: AA: Exec Plat; AC: 75K; JX: Explorer; HH: Dia; Bonvoy: Gold; Wyndham: Dia
Posts: 298
AA is my secondary carrier, so I know less about it's elite program. I am only a Plat. I have several questions which diligence has not provided enlightenment
If I obtain an elite level by 12/31/20 (say I make it to Gold) but am already a Plat, how do I benefit since my Plat status is assured until 12/22 (or later)?
If I obtain my new Gold status by a combination of segments, EQDs and EQMs, how does my obtaining 10K of those EQMs through AA credit card spending impact my roll-over. In other words, say I flew 15K BIS miles and obtained 10K EQMs through the credit card (thereby making it to Gold, EQDs not an issue), what would exactly get rolled over? .....my Gold status? (which in my limited understanding is worthless since I will already be a Plat for year 2022).
According to the T&C's all that would roll over would be my BIS miles and my AA spend (not CC spend) for EQDs.
If I obtain Gold status, this will remain in effect for how many additional years....till 1/24? If that answer is no...only until 1/23, then that is when my current Plat status would expire. I see no benefit here.
So, if I have this correctly parsed out, if I already have a higher status, earning a lower status is basically worthless unless I am not going to reach my current Plat status in 2022. Furthermore, will AA allow me to keep my 2022 Gold status earned this year if part of it was earned by CC EQMs?
And if I read this correctly, even if I have earned Gold (while still being a Plat), I will be a "shortchanged" Gold since 10K EQM will disappear since they are CC EQMs which do not roll over.
It shouldn't take this much work to figure out an awards program
If I obtain an elite level by 12/31/20 (say I make it to Gold) but am already a Plat, how do I benefit since my Plat status is assured until 12/22 (or later)?
If I obtain my new Gold status by a combination of segments, EQDs and EQMs, how does my obtaining 10K of those EQMs through AA credit card spending impact my roll-over. In other words, say I flew 15K BIS miles and obtained 10K EQMs through the credit card (thereby making it to Gold, EQDs not an issue), what would exactly get rolled over? .....my Gold status? (which in my limited understanding is worthless since I will already be a Plat for year 2022).
According to the T&C's all that would roll over would be my BIS miles and my AA spend (not CC spend) for EQDs.
If I obtain Gold status, this will remain in effect for how many additional years....till 1/24? If that answer is no...only until 1/23, then that is when my current Plat status would expire. I see no benefit here.
So, if I have this correctly parsed out, if I already have a higher status, earning a lower status is basically worthless unless I am not going to reach my current Plat status in 2022. Furthermore, will AA allow me to keep my 2022 Gold status earned this year if part of it was earned by CC EQMs?
And if I read this correctly, even if I have earned Gold (while still being a Plat
), I will be a "shortchanged" Gold since 10K EQM will disappear since they are CC EQMs which do not roll over.It shouldn't take this much work to figure out an awards program
What would carry over to 2021 elite qualification are any BIS EQD, EQM, and EQS for flights in 4Q20, not any EQD or EQM earned from CC spend in 4Q20.
AA wants people flying now. Incenting people to do so through rollover of 4Q20 flying activity seems a very reasonable effort on their part. Will it incent and benefit everyone? Certainly not.
I am surprised AA isn't highlighting their reduced 2020 qualifying thresholds to encourage people to fly now and try and hit a higher elite level this year.
Oct 23, 2020, 9:39 am
#85
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,433
If you earned Plat in 2019, you are Plat through 1/31/2022. No benefit to Gold earned in 2020.
What would carry over to 2021 elite qualification are any BIS EQD, EQM, and EQS for flights in 4Q20, not any EQD or EQM earned from CC spend in 4Q20.
AA wants people flying now. Incenting people to do so through rollover of 4Q20 flying activity seems a very reasonable effort on their part. Will it incent and benefit everyone? Certainly not.
I am surprised AA isn't highlighting their reduced 2020 qualifying thresholds to encourage people to fly now and try and hit a higher elite level this year.
What would carry over to 2021 elite qualification are any BIS EQD, EQM, and EQS for flights in 4Q20, not any EQD or EQM earned from CC spend in 4Q20.
AA wants people flying now. Incenting people to do so through rollover of 4Q20 flying activity seems a very reasonable effort on their part. Will it incent and benefit everyone? Certainly not.
I am surprised AA isn't highlighting their reduced 2020 qualifying thresholds to encourage people to fly now and try and hit a higher elite level this year.
As I see it, the only use for my 2020 CC EQMs would be to obtain a higher level of status before 12/31/20. In my case, that would be PP. That is not going to happen. I am more than happy at the Plat level for AA.
Oct 25, 2020, 5:02 pm
#86
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Santa Barbara, CA, Park City, UT
Programs: AA EXP, Delta Plat, Marriott Plat,Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat
Posts: 901
Read the email and immediately pulled out my Aviator Business Card for October thru December 2020 spending in order to earn the 3,000 EQD before end of the year.
Then read the fine print "bonus elite qualifying credits, such as those earned from an AAdvantage® credit card, will not roll over."
Aviator Business Card back in the file cabinet until January 2021.
Then read the fine print "bonus elite qualifying credits, such as those earned from an AAdvantage® credit card, will not roll over."
Aviator Business Card back in the file cabinet until January 2021.
I've run out of credit cards for spending that provide lucrative points and even have opened up a few accounts for the bonuses. So, I'm thinking why not use my silver aviator for the EQMs/EQDs and have count towards million miler too. Could even use my Excecutive card for another 10K EQMs.
Oct 25, 2020, 6:37 pm
#87
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Choice Hotels
Posts: 762
The reduced spending limits are great, and I will make Plat this year when I wpuld have only made gold in a normal year. With tickets so cheap, I will end up with enough EQM for ExPlat but only enough EQD for Plat. This is even with a couple of trips in paid F.
Oct 26, 2020, 8:50 am
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,004
Oct 26, 2020, 1:27 pm
#89
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Santa Barbara, CA, Park City, UT
Programs: AA EXP, Delta Plat, Marriott Plat,Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat
Posts: 901
Follow up to my above post, I decided to call AA about this. After 5-10 minutes she came back stating that yes, for Oct 1-end of year EQMs and EQDs earned from spending will roll over to 2021 for 2022 status. She also said the same about flying, that in addition to the EQMs the EQDs would also roll over. Not sure I trust what she is saying, though, since I've not seen that on here nor have found confirmation of that online.
Oct 26, 2020, 1:56 pm
#90
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: LON, between FAB and EGTD
Programs: OWS - AA Lifetime Platinum, BA nobody (blue)
Posts: 861
Follow up to my above post, I decided to call AA about this. After 5-10 minutes she came back stating that yes, for Oct 1-end of year EQMs and EQDs earned from spending will roll over to 2021 for 2022 status. She also said the same about flying, that in addition to the EQMs the EQDs would also roll over. Not sure I trust what she is saying, though, since I've not seen that on here nor have found confirmation of that online.