Earlier in 2022, American Airlines’ AAdvantage program massively revamped the way it determines elite status qualification. For 2023, it is making some minor changes. Most importantly, there will now be something called “Loyalty Point Rewards” – replacing Elite Choice Benefits.

Beginning on March 1, 2023, AAdvantage will add 11 additional tiers of rewards. These Loyalty Point Rewards will offer additional benefits and perks.

As before, you will accumulate Loyalty Points between March 1 and February 28 (of the following year). Unlike previously, there is no requirement to fly a minimum number of segments.

15,000 Loyalty Points

Group 5 boarding for the membership year, with the choice of the following:

• Priority check-in, security, and Group 4 boarding for one trip
• Five preferred seat coupons

40,000 Loyalty Points

AAdvantage Gold status.  (this is an increase from 30,000 Loyalty Points)

60,000 Loyalty Points

Receive Avis Preferred Plus status and get a 20% Loyalty Point bonus on spending with the following partners:

• American Airlines Vacations
• American Airlines Hotels
• AAdvantage eShopping portal
• AAdvantage Dining portal
• SimplyMiles

(This will be brilliant for those of us who earn Loyalty Points from online shopping and hotel booking…)

75,000 Loyalty Points

AAdvantage Platinum status.  (no change from the current threshold)

100,000 Loyalty Points

Receive Avis Presidents Club status and get a 30% Loyalty Point bonus on spending with the following partners:

• American Airlines Vacations
• American Airlines Hotels
• AAdvantage eShopping portal
• AAdvantage Dining portal
• SimplyMiles

(This will be brilliant for those of us who earn Loyalty Points from online shopping and hotel booking. Retaining status is looking easier and easier…)

125,000 Loyalty Points

AAdvantage Platinum Pro status. (no change from the current threshold)

175,000 Loyalty Points

You will be able to choose one of the following:

• Two systemwide upgrades
• 20,000 bonus miles (25,000 for AAdvantage credit card holders)
• Six Admirals Club day passes
• $200 Trip Credit ($250 for AAdvantage credit card holders)
• Carbon offset
• $250 donation to one of 10 partner charities
• 15% one-time award rebate
• Gift of Gold status (gift to two people)
• 35,000 miles off a Mastercard Priceless experience

200,000 Loyalty Points

AAdvantage Executive Platinum status. (no change from the current threshold)

250,000 Loyalty Points

You will be able to choose two of the following:

• Two systemwide upgrades
• 20,000 bonus miles (30,000 for AAdvantage credit card holders)
• Six Admirals Club day passes
• Admirals Club individual membership (requires both choices)
• $200 Trip Credit ($250 for AAdvantage credit card holders)
• Carbon offset
• $250 donation to one of 10 partner charities
• Gift of Gold status
• Bang & Olufsen products (requires both choices)
• One Flagship Lounge single-visit pass (Two passes for AAdvantage credit card holders)
• 35,000 miles off a Mastercard Priceless experience

400,000, 550,000 and 750,000 Loyalty Points

When you cross the 400,000, 550,000 and 750,000 Loyalty Point thresholds, you’ll be able to make two choices from the following menu:

• One systemwide upgrade
• 25,000 bonus miles
• Admirals Club individual membership (requires two choices)
• $200 Trip Credit ($250 for AAdvantage credit card holders)
• Carbon offset
• Gift of Platinum status
• Bang & Olufsen products (requires both choices).
• Two Flagship Lounge single-visit passes
• One Flagship First Dining visit pass
• 40,000 miles off a Mastercard Priceless experience

1 million Loyalty Points

You will be able to choose one of the following:

• Four systemwide upgrades
• Gift of Platinum Pro status
• 100,000 mileage rebate
• 150,000 miles off a Mastercard Priceless experience
• Carbon offset

3 million Loyalty Points

You will be able to choose one of the following:

• Six systemwide upgrades
• Gift of Executive Platinum status
• 300,000 mileage rebate
• 350,000 miles off a Mastercard Priceless experience
• Carbon offset

5 million Loyalty Points

You will be able to choose one of the following:

• Ten systemwide upgrades
• Gift of Executive Platinum status
• 500,000 mileage rebate
• 550,000 miles off a Mastercard Priceless experience
• Carbon offset

Bottom Line

With United and Delta announcing increases in their thresholds for earning elite status, it is nice to see American stick with the current thresholds. (except for an increase in the requirements for Gold status, which hopefully isn’t an issue for most readers)

I’m most excited about the 20/30% bonuses on AA Hotels and AA e-shopping – that should make re-qualification even easier in 2024 and beyond…

What do you think of these changes? Let us know in the comments section…