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 26, 2020, 7:53 pm
#92
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Honolulu, HI / San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA EXP, Alaska MVP 75k, IHG Spire, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 277
Dec 13, 2020, 7:38 am
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,900
Dec 13, 2020, 7:44 am
#96
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,900
BTW, did anyone notice this one - which I think is -huge-
For 2021, we’ll waive the EQD requirement to qualify for Gold, Platinum or Platinum Pro status if you spend $30,000 on net purchases with an eligible AAdvantage® credit card that post to your account between January 1 – December 31, 2021. More details to come.
So for average to big credit card spenders, this is a very big deal. For EPs, spend as always.
For 2021, we’ll waive the EQD requirement to qualify for Gold, Platinum or Platinum Pro status if you spend $30,000 on net purchases with an eligible AAdvantage® credit card that post to your account between January 1 – December 31, 2021. More details to come.
So for average to big credit card spenders, this is a very big deal. For EPs, spend as always.
Dec 13, 2020, 12:30 pm
#97
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: AA PPro
Posts: 632
Well it says "an eligible card" not "on eligible cards" so I would assume, baring more specific information, it has to be on a single card, which meets certain eligibility requirements.
Dec 13, 2020, 5:23 pm
#98
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,900
Dec 30, 2020, 8:24 am
#99
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Aadvantage platinum; IHG Spire
Posts: 546
On the site it says that SWUs can now be used after their expiry date as long as booked and confirmed prior to their expiry date.
Does anyone know if that includes SWUs from 2020, or just new ones chosen as the benefit in 2021? We have 6 due to expire by mid 2021 that we probably won't be able to use as it's unlikely we'll be able to travel to the US by then from the UK.
Does anyone know if that includes SWUs from 2020, or just new ones chosen as the benefit in 2021? We have 6 due to expire by mid 2021 that we probably won't be able to use as it's unlikely we'll be able to travel to the US by then from the UK.
Dec 30, 2020, 2:29 pm
#100
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: UA 1k, AA EXPLT, NZ GE, VA PLT Hyatt Diam, Marr Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 3,445
Applies to all SWUs in one’s account. Apply the SWU (ie, deduct the upgrade from your account prior to its expiry) to a future ticket, even if that future ticket is for a date beyond the upgrade’s expiry date.
Dec 30, 2020, 2:37 pm
#101
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP.
Posts: 1,325
On the site it says that SWUs can now be used after their expiry date as long as booked and confirmed prior to their expiry date.
Does anyone know if that includes SWUs from 2020, or just new ones chosen as the benefit in 2021? We have 6 due to expire by mid 2021 that we probably won't be able to use as it's unlikely we'll be able to travel to the US by then from the UK.
Does anyone know if that includes SWUs from 2020, or just new ones chosen as the benefit in 2021? We have 6 due to expire by mid 2021 that we probably won't be able to use as it's unlikely we'll be able to travel to the US by then from the UK.
theres always the flyertalk SWU donation thread lol
SWU giveaway (strictly freely given - no quid pro quo)
Dec 30, 2020, 11:03 pm
#102
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Cool,CA AA EXP, HH Diamond, 4 star Dad!
Posts: 543
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.
Dec 30, 2020, 11:54 pm
#103
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,670
This promo will be quite the boost for me... $4300 EQD and ~49,400 EQMs right out of the gate!
Dec 31, 2020, 6:23 am
#104
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FSD
Programs: AA CK, DL SM, UA PS, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium , Hyatt Globalist, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 458
Me too. $8k EQD and almost 60K miles out of the gate. I should re-qualify for 2021 in March or so. Makes me want to do a challenge on Delta so I can have dual status doe 2022......
Jan 1, 2021, 5:29 am
#105
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Cote d'Ivoire
Programs: OW Emerald - HH Diamond
Posts: 3,417
Glad I checked here - - I have zeroes across the board (like the good old days). I was wondering what was up.