2017 to Bring Big Changes to American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

American Airlines is preparing to roll out significant changes to its AAdvantage frequent flyer program.

In order to attain or keep elite status such as Gold or Platinum, members will need to meet a certain spend level, quantified by Elite Qualifying Dollars. This is in addition to Elite Qualifying Miles or Elite Qualifying Segments. The airline is also introducing a new intermediate tier, Platinum Pro, and making its Concierge Key program a formal tier above Executive Platinum, although the airline is not making public the qualification criteria for this level.

Platinum Pro members will receive unlimited complimentary upgrades in 500-mile upgrade markets, nine award miles for each U.S. dollar spent, a 72-hour upgrade window, two checked bags, and oneworld Sapphire status.

Gold members, the airline’s lowest tier of elites, will be required to spend $3,000 in addition to meeting the other requirement for earning status, such as flying 25,000 miles or flying 30 segments. Platinum-level members will need to spend $6,000 and fly 50,000 miles, and those aspiring to Platinum Pro will need to spend $9,000 and fly 75,000 miles. To reach or keep the airline’s highest elite tier, Executive Platinum, a flyer would have to spend $12,000 and fly 100,000 miles.

The airline is also giving holders of its AAdvantage Aviator-branded credit cards the opportunity to meet the spend requirement by and by earning up to $6,000 in Elite Qualifying Dollars by meeting certain spend targets through the use of the card.

The changes go into effect January 1, 2017.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)