American Airlines’ Loyalty Program Is Set for Positive Changes in 2024

Unlike many loyalty programs that follow the calendar year, the qualifying year for elite status in American Airlines' AAdvantage starts on March 1 and ends on February 28 of the following year. As we approach the end of the current qualifying period and the beginning of a new one, the program has unveiled a series of beneficial changes. Essentially, while elite status and reward tiers will stay consistent, AAdvantage members will gain more options for earning and redeeming rewards. Additionally, all members will now enjoy access to exclusive benefits, irrespective of their elite status. After a discussion with AAdvantage Director Chris Isaac, here’s what we’ve learned so far.

Unveiling Exclusive AAdvantage Member Benefits

While many airline programs are prioritizing their top spenders, AAdvantage is committed to providing perks for members at every level, starting in 2024. “We are making it easy to be our best customer,” Isaac shared in an interview with Dinogo. “Previously, [benefits] required reaching a certain status level. This year, we’re redefining traditional loyalty programs by ensuring membership has value from day one, granting benefits right upon enrollment.”

Signing up for AAdvantage membership is free and takes just a minute, and throughout 2024, members will receive several new benefits. Some will be fresh additions, while existing benefits—like American’s 24-hour trip hold—will transition to exclusive member perks.

• Ability to cancel non-refundable Basic Economy tickets for a fee and receive a partial trip credit
• Free same-day standby for earlier domestic flights
• Extended Trip Credit of six additional months when canceling travel online (compared to non-member Trip Credit)
• Entry to Admirals Club lounges with purchased One-Day Passes
• Access to Flagship Lounges with Single-Visit Passes
• 24-hour trip hold feature

Fully embracing Loyalty Points while maintaining the same status levels

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AAdvantage program made significant updates, shifting to a unified metric for elite status: Loyalty Points. While both Loyalty Points and AAdvantage miles can overlap, the key difference is that Loyalty Points count towards elite status, whereas AAdvantage miles accumulate for redeemable awards.

Loyalty Points enable AAdvantage members to achieve status through flights with American and its partners, as well as without flying at all. Points can be earned through partnerships via AA’s cobranded credit cards, along with shopping, dining, hotel stays, and event platforms, all contributing to status advancement. Furthermore, in 2024, members will be able to earn both Loyalty Points and AAdvantage miles when upgrading to a premium cabin with cash (currently purchased upgrades are not eligible for either).

“Our goal was to simplify the program and make it more accessible,” Isaac stated. American Airlines is now experiencing record growth in new membership.

Last year, the AAdvantage program introduced elite-like benefits through Loyalty Rewards, granted upon reaching 11 thresholds: starting at 15,000 Loyalty Points—significantly lower than the 40,000 points needed for Gold elite status—and culminating at 5,000,000 points. Elite status and the complete range of elite benefits are achieved at these milestones: 40,000 for Gold, 75,000 for Platinum, 125,000 for Platinum Pro, and 200,000 for Executive Platinum. Fortunately, the structure of the 15-step program, which includes both Loyalty Point Rewards and elite status levels, will remain intact for the upcoming qualification year.

In 2024, new enhanced choices for Loyalty Point Rewards will be introduced at specific thresholds. Currently, the 15,000 Loyalty Point Reward offers a choice between Priority Privileges and Group 4 Boarding for one trip or five Preferred Seat Coupons. A new option will allow members to earn additional Loyalty Points toward AAdvantage status, including a 1,000-point increase at the 15,000 Loyalty Point Reward level, a 5,000-point increase at the 175,000 level, and up to a 30,000-point increase at the 250,000 level. This is a great addition for those who already hold status and enjoy many benefits from lower-tier Loyalty Point Rewards.

Improving redemption options

In 2023, AAdvantage members redeemed around 14 million awards for various services including flights, upgrades, car rentals, hotel bookings, club memberships, and merchandise. Later this year, customers will also be able to use miles for upgrades with select airline partners. Currently, this option is available for specific Iberia and British Airways flights, but it will soon expand to include more OneWorld partners. Additionally, members with AAdvantage Platinum Pro status or above will have the ability to redeem miles for Flagship First Dining passes, allowing them to enjoy fine dining before their flight in Flagship First lounges.

Key takeaways

In 2024, the American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty program is set to become more rewarding, particularly for newcomers. While elite status requirements will stay the same, members will find increased opportunities to earn Loyalty Points and AAdvantage miles, as well as redeem them. Overall, this creates a favorable scenario for members across all tiers, especially those just starting their journey in the loyalty program.