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 14, 2020, 8:21 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,004
AA Elite for 2021 - Adjusted qualifying requirements and more announced
for EXP 80K EQM $12K EQD.
Oct - December 2020 travels count toward next year
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p..._Elite_Program
Oct - December 2020 travels count toward next year
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p..._Elite_Program
Last edited by enviroian; Oct 14, 2020 at 8:29 am
Oct 14, 2020, 8:30 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,004
Still 4 SWU's.
I think the rollover is a nice touch.
I find it odd that Gold-PP can spend 30K on an AA branded credit card to waive EQD requirement but not EXP's. WHY.
I think the rollover is a nice touch.
I find it odd that Gold-PP can spend 30K on an AA branded credit card to waive EQD requirement but not EXP's. WHY.
Oct 14, 2020, 8:36 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Stilllwater OK (SWO)
Programs: AAdvantage ExecPlat, World of Hyatt Globalist, plain "member" of Marriott, IHG, enterprise, etc.
Posts: 1,846
Well, makes some sense. SWUs are arguably the most valuable thing about ExecPlat. AA doesn't want to give them out to people mileage running on super cheap longer haul flights.
Oct 14, 2020, 8:39 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,004
Point taken but then why not offer say $50K annual spend on a AA branded card will waive EXP EQD requirements.
Oct 14, 2020, 8:42 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PP, DL PM
Posts: 2,086
I think it's interesting that the EQD thresholds are going up faster than the EQM thresholds -- perhaps a tacit acknowledgement that they expect most of their elite travel will be domestic, with limited opportunities for the crazy CPM mileage runs.
Oct 14, 2020, 8:45 am
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Well this makes my day. I guess the big unknown is what will business travel look like in 2021 and will there by a fair number of EXPs (and some CKs) with little in the way of 12 month rolling spend. There was a rumor going round that AA would soon be returning to normal Y beverage service. Being stuck in MCE with a free drink (assuming alcohol returns to Y) and a free snack/food item (assuming BOB returns to Y) takes the sting out of not upgraded. Of course I think my alternative should be just buy F, particularly given some of the upfare deals presented.
Oct 14, 2020, 8:47 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
That's a nice move for people that are travelling.
But the chances that I'm setting foot on a plane between now and December are someplace between 0% and 0%.
Work travel is still completely shut down - and I'll drive for holiday travel.
But the chances that I'm setting foot on a plane between now and December are someplace between 0% and 0%.
Work travel is still completely shut down - and I'll drive for holiday travel.
Oct 14, 2020, 8:54 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,004
LOL
that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. That's a long delta between platinum and Diamond spend. If one is spending $250K a year on a CC, EQD thresholds are utter meaningless.
Anyway back to AA. I noticed too the focus seems to be on EQD's. I agree with the other poster, AA figures business travel is still going to be very limited next year so they will be going after people who are paying for F. That's fine AA whatever, just make sure you bring your plane up to F standards F&B wise.
that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. That's a long delta between platinum and Diamond spend. If one is spending $250K a year on a CC, EQD thresholds are utter meaningless.
Anyway back to AA. I noticed too the focus seems to be on EQD's. I agree with the other poster, AA figures business travel is still going to be very limited next year so they will be going after people who are paying for F. That's fine AA whatever, just make sure you bring your plane up to F standards F&B wise.
Oct 14, 2020, 8:56 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Stilllwater OK (SWO)
Programs: AAdvantage ExecPlat, World of Hyatt Globalist, plain "member" of Marriott, IHG, enterprise, etc.
Posts: 1,846
Well this makes my day. I guess the big unknown is what will business travel look like in 2021 and will there by a fair number of EXPs (and some CKs) with little in the way of 12 month rolling spend. There was a rumor going round that AA would soon be returning to normal Y beverage service. Being stuck in MCE with a free drink (assuming alcohol returns to Y) and a free snack/food item (assuming BOB returns to Y) takes the sting out of not upgraded. Of course I think my alternative should be just buy F, particularly given some of the upfare deals presented.
Anyways, all around, these are good moves. Especially the ability to count a couple flights over the next few months!
Oct 14, 2020, 9:11 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
Programs: AA EXP 2.8m,Lifetime PLT, Hilton Diamond, IHG PlLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 3,191
shame for me and my wife.. our next 2 trips outside of the USA are all award flights....buying them outright would result in a very expense ticket ($9,000)
Oct 14, 2020, 9:23 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,816
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.
Oct 14, 2020, 9:25 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA CK EXP 3MM, National EE, Hertz Plat
Posts: 320