New American Airlines lifetime elite status levels are now live, ahead of schedule.
- 1 million flown miles earns lifetime Gold and 35,000 miles.
- 2 million flown miles earns lifetime Platinum and 4 systemwide upgrades
- 3 million flown miles earns 4 systemwide upgrades
- 4 million flown miles earns lifetime Platinum Pro and 4 systemwide upgrades
- 5 million flown miles earns lifetime Executive Platinum and 4 systemwide upgrades
- Each addition million miles flown earns 4 systemwide upgrades
Lifetime status is something so meaningful to members. It’s a long-term goal and a commitment. It marks something truly personally significant in a relationship that’s otherwise unidirectional. George Clooney’s moment crossing 10 million miles with American was depicted in the film Up In The Air (2009), where the airline’s chief pilot comes out to greet him at the exact moment.
Platinum Pro is very much a sweet spot in the program, with oneworld emerald status and nearly all of the benefits of Executive Platinum. The addition of 4 and 5 million miler levels are huge.
Unfortunately, American is still not as generous with lifetime status as their primary competitors. It takes 3 million miles to hit lifetime Delta Diamond and lifetime United 1K, while it takes 5 million miles for equivalent lifetime Executive Platinum with American and that’s a big difference. That would earn lifetime 360 and Global Services at the other airlines, but American has no lifetime ConciergeKey.
Furthermore, members flying on their lifetime loyalty – instead of earning current status each year – at at the bottom of their AAdvantage status tier on wait lists. That’s because American prioritizes ased on most recent 12-month total of loyalty points earned. Someone flying and earning status today is ahead of someone relying on their lifetime status.
That said, lifetime miles totals in each program aren’t exactly equal. Until December 1, 2011 all miles earned counted towards American’s lifetime status, now it’s flight miles only. By the same token, until last year Delta counted qualifying miles (including from credit card and bonuses) but now uses flight miles only.
Some smart ideas to consider for future improvements to lifetime would be following American’s partner Alaska Airlines in offering lifetime elites upgrade priority over those with similar status, extending a lifetime elite member’s status to their partner (which United also does); and giving lifetime members a head start towards earning higher status each year in the program so that lifetime status doesn’t discourage current business.
It’s always a balance between giving frequent flyers a huge incentive to sway their business with the holy grail of lifetime status, and taking them off of the annual status treadmill by granting them that status. That’s why Alaska’s head start to even higher status is so smart, and United’s offer to extend whatever the member’s current status is to their partner is as well. A United lifetime Gold still has a reason to strive higher, and an Alaska lifetime MVP Gold has a head start in doing so.
I’m with you, Gary. Platinum Pro is the better balance for most of us, namely because of OneWorld Emerald benefits. Remember folks, don’t chase status—do your thing and let it come to you. And for those that make it to these milestones, well done. That’s a whole lotta flyin’ and spendin’!
Wow – what a slap in the face to 3 million milers .
Not interested in their lifetime program as currently constructed. They should count LPs (and exclude retroactive if they feel necessary, but not ideal) towards the requirement.
Where do you find lifetime mile progress?
Roberto: log into your AAdvantage account on aa.com, click your name and then the “Account” pop up, and on the left underneath your name and AAdvantage account there will be something telling you your Million Miler balance.
I do miss the old days when all your earned miles (now Loyalty Points) went into that number.
So the million miller is sitting in coach… what a perfect message to convey the AA sentiment… then they turn around and slap the 3million millers in the face and kick them to ground. Well done AA. Fly two million miles with UA and your 1K for life… equivalent to Exec Plat. But much better…
@Bob Thanks!
I have had AA Platinum or higher status each and every year for no less than 22 years straight. I have had one and only one complimentary upgrade on AA from economy class to “first” in the last few years. I like my AA Platinum for life status, but lifetime Platinum Pro status would make little to no difference to me and so I play airline and program swapper as a hyper-transactional mercenary when it comes to airlines (and other travel service providers).
Reached 2mm miles in 2011 and have added about 300k since then, mainly company trips and for a short while card spend. Platinum benefits are better than nothing, but vastly diminished from what they were. And I’m still sore over the 30 upgrade segments that were wiped away. I avoid AA except for reward redemptions and this change provides zero incentive to return to AA.
I put AA on the same level as Vueling or Transavia.
@Johhny
I flew Transavia last year… completely garbage.
@Johnny @Mark — Oh, come on now. American is better than Transavia (LCC or ULCC depending on who you ask). You guys are being dramatic.
I have flown Transavia from AMS-AMM, and I certainly wouldn’t recommend it for anything more than a 1-3 hour flight if you absolutely have to (all economy, no meal, but it is cheap).
Flying a million+ miles on AA sounds like a punishment to me. They’re easily the worst odds the legacy carriers.
“Fly two million miles with UA and your 1K for life… equivalent to Exec Plat. ”
It’s 3 million for 1K.
@1990
I flew Transavia AMS-MAN last year, even though it was supposed to be KLM. Older B737, seats had barely any legroom…just a garbage LCC. The fact that KLM contracted them out is a joke. I’ve flown KLM in Europe numerous times, all good experiences
I’ve done 10 mil since the late 90s
but I assume that won’t qualify as it’s not butt in seat miles
So assume I’m #hit out of luck for Plat Pro
Being the program is their most profitable asset you think there might be a
Requirement for heavy spenders who are loyal to the program
Today the AA program allows annual spending across credit card tickets etc and more
What’s with their thinking? Less reason to fly with American and fly on price loyalty now and lower priced mile redemptions in other programs
I have Less than 30000 miles to hit 3 million miles on AA but with United’s status and spouse benefits they are far more appreciative of my loyalty than AA is.
Unfortunate that AA Leadership are being so very short sighted, with less upgrades, and no true recognition at 3 million doesn’t make sense to go out of my way to fly them. Well after all those years I know where I will spend the majority of my $.
It would have cost them next to nothing to have given the Platinum Pro status at 3 million and kept their loyal flyers happy and loyal.
@mark. Thank you for making my point.