American Airlines has a new, targeted promotion for AAdvantage members that provides a fast track to higher elite status. There are three different versions that folks are finding online in their AA accounts, each one gives you an option to gift elite status you earn or take bonus Loyalty Points that push you to the next highest status tier.
The first offer gives you enough bonus Loyalty Points for Platinum status if you earn Gold status; the second gives bonus points sufficient for Platinum Pro if you earn Platinum; and the last boosts you to Executive Platinum if you earn enough points for Platinum Pro. (h/t: OMAAT, Upgraded Points).
All sources of Loyalty Points (flying, credit cards, shopping, hotels, etc) are applicable for the promotion, which could make it very interesting for anyone who’s even marginally interested in AAdvantage elite status.
The Deal
- There are three targeted, elite status promotions showing up in some AAdvantage members online accounts:
- Earn 40,000 Loyalty Points (Gold status) and receive an additional 35,000 bonus Loyalty Points (enough for Platinum status). Alternatively, you can gift Gold status to someone else.
- Earn 75,000 Loyalty Points (Platinum status) and receive an additional 50,000 bonus Loyalty Points (enough for Platinum Pro status). Alternatively, you can gift Platinum status to someone else.
- Earn 125,000 Loyalty Points (Platinum Pro status), receive 75,000 bonus Loyalty Points (enough for Executive Platinum status). Alternatively, you can gift Platinum Pro status to someone else.
- Registration is required by May 23rd.
- Gifted status will be valid through February, 2027.
- If targeted, these offers will appear online in your AAdvantage account under the “promotions” tab on the left side:
Terms and Conditions
- Registration required by May 23, 2025.
- Status will be based on the Loyalty Points earned between 3/1/25, and 2/28/26.
- All eligible Loyalty Points earned during the period count toward the offer.
- You have 60 days to select whether to take bonus points or gift status. Bonus Loyalty Points counts towards the 2025 program year if the selection is made before 2/2/26 and towards the 2026 program year if the selection is made after that date
AAdvantage Elite Benefits
| AAdvantage elite status | Gold | Platinum | Platinum Pro | Executive Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loyalty Points Required | 40K | 75K | 125K | 200K |
| Mileage Bonus | 40% | 60% | 80% | 120% |
| Preferred Seating | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Main Cabin Extra Seating | Upgrade at Check In | Y | Y | Y |
| Domestic First Class Upgrade | 24 hour window | 48 hour window | 72 hour window | 100 hour window |
| Upgrade on Alaska Airlines | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Free checked bags | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| OneWorld Status | Ruby: Access to biz class check-in, preferred seating | Sapphire: Access to OneWorld Business Class lounges | Emerald: Access to OneWorld First and Business Class lounges | |
Quick Thoughts
It appears that this promotion is targeted almost exclusively to people who don’t engage with AAdvantage often. I haven’t heard from anyone who normally earns Platinum status or higher receiving an offer. That doesn’t mean that none will, of course, just that it seems like this is primarily a means for AA to get new blood into the program.
It’s a great promotion, however, especially given the option to gift status or boost it. A household could earn 75,000 Loyalty Points and either have a Player 1 get all the way to Platinum Pro or give two people Platinum status through February of 2027. That flexibility allows those targeted to tailor their strategy to their travel habits in a very useful way.
It bears emphasizing that the bonus points earned through this promotion are elite-qualifying only, they can’t be redeemed for award flights.
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