American Airlines Announces Big Changes for AAdvantage Program
American Airlines has announced some major changes to its AAdvantage loyalty program for next year. The airline says in the announcement that these changes will deliver more value for members, and that’s true in some cases.
But there’s also plenty of bad news. American will increasing requirements for the AAdvantage Gold tier, Basic Economy fares will earn 60% less miles and MileSAAver and AAnytime awards are going away soon. So let’s get into all these changes and take a look at the details.
Saver and Anytime Awards Going Away in 2023
American will be eliminating MileSAAver and AAnytime awards at some point next year. The exact timing is still not clear, but Heather Samp, managing director of AAdvantage, has confirmed that the airline is “removing the static awards of MileSAAver and AAnytime.”
This news comes from TPG, who says that the changes only apply to redemptions for flights operated by American. Once these awards are removed, “American will go all-in on its Web Special fares”.
Mileage Earning Updates
On American and eligible partner flights, AAdvantage members will earn two miles per dollar spent on Basic Economy fares for all tickets issued on or after Jan. 1, 2023, for travel starting March 1, 2023.
Currently, earning starts at 5 miles per dollar, and increases with your AAdvantage status level. So earning on these tickets is reduced by 60% in 2023.
American is also making an improvement. It will remove the 75,000 limit on miles that a member could earn on a single ticket.
Achieving AAdvantage Status
AAdvantage members earn miles and Loyalty Points when they fly, use an AAdvantage credit card for purchases or engage with more than 1,000 AAdvantage partners. Members then redeem those miles to elevate their travels and reach status and rewards through Loyalty Points.
| AAdvantage Status | Loyalty Points |
|---|---|
| Gold | 40,000 |
| Platinum | 75,000 |
| Platinum Pro | 125,000 |
| Executive Platinum | 200,000 |
As you can see from the table published today, the Loyalty Point requirements for AAdvantage Gold status has been increased. Instead of 30,000 Loyalty Points, you now need to earn 40,000 Loyalty Points. This change is going into effect on March 2023.
Requirements for the other AAdvantage tiers are not changing.
Loyalty Point Rewards
In March 2023, American will introduce new opportunities to receive benefits and earn rewards more often. For example, members will unlock their first Loyalty Point Reward — formerly known as Loyalty Choice Rewards — after earning only 15,000 Loyalty Points and before reaching AAdvantage Gold® status. These members will receive the benefit of Group 5 boarding for the membership year and the choice between two Loyalty Point Rewards:
- Priority check-in, security and Group 4 boarding for one trip.
- Five preferred seat coupons.
As members continue to advance toward higher levels of status by earning Loyalty Points, they will receive new benefits such as Loyalty Points bonuses for shopping with some of American’s partners and status with the airline’s preferred car partner.
In 2023 American Airlines will introduce two new Loyalty Point Rewards tiers, at 60,000 Loyalty Points and 100,000 Loyalty Points. Also some thresholds have been increased for some of the current tiers. The 125K tier goes to 175K, 200K goes to 250K and 350K goes up to 400K. With these increases, members also get some better choices when they reach each tier.
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[…] For a bit more detailed explanation of the changes go here: American Airlines Announces Big Changes for AAdvantage Program. […]
Is it surprising that despite being a 2million platinum I chose to fly to Argentina with United/Air Canada? American used to be the best program. All these shenanigans are destroying the incentive to participate. Now I am collecting Chase points which I find not only more valuable but easier to acquire .
depending on how the 60K milestone works, the 20% LP booster on portal / simply miles, etc. could make 2023 the easiest year yet to qualify for EXP