American Airlines AAdvantage is my primary airline loyalty program, and it has been since I first qualified for AAdvantage Executive Platinum status in 2016. I’m getting close to snagging Million Miler status with AAdvantage and believe there’s lots of value in the AAdvantage program and American miles.
However, during the last qualification period, I didn’t qualify for Executive Platinum status. Instead, I opted to stop at AAdvantage Platinum Pro status. During this qualification period, I’m doing the same.
Here’s why I’m once again not going for Executive Platinum status and how I’m earning Platinum Pro status.
Why I think AAdvantage Platinum Pro is the sweet spot status
I wrote a story last year about why requalifying for AAdvantage Executive Platinum status wasn’t a must for me. Much of that story still holds, but in this section, I’ll explain why AAdvantage Platinum Pro status is the sweet spot American Airlines elite status for me.
Oneworld Emerald status is key
As a digital nomad who frequently travels on Oneworld airlines outside the U.S., the most valuable benefit of AAdvantage status to me is Oneworld Emerald status.
Oneworld Emerald status — which you automatically get if you have Platinum Pro or Executive Platinum status in the AAdvantage program — gives me access to first- and business-class lounges, first-class priority check-in, priority boarding and “Fast Track” or “Priority Lane” access at select airports when flying with Oneworld airlines.
Priority check-in, Fast Track and the Priority Lane have saved me significant time at check-in, security and passport control at many airports. Getting access to first-class lounges like Cathay Pacific’s The Pier First Class Lounge and Malaysia Airlines First Class Golden Lounge in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, even when flying on a short regional flight in economy, is also extremely valuable to me.
Oneworld Emerald status also gives me access to preferred or prereserved seating based on the policy of the Oneworld airline operating the flight. Some Oneworld airlines even preemptively block seats next to Emerald members when loads are low, making flying in economy class much more pleasant.
When flying on Oneworld airlines, I also get 20 extra kilograms (44 pounds) or one additional checked bag in addition to the allowance otherwise allowed based on my fare class. This extra allowance lets me not worry about what checked baggage my ticket includes when booking, as I only need 20 kilograms or one bag. However, I must avoid British Airways’ basic fares that only permit hand baggage since these fares don’t offer the extra Oneworld Emerald baggage allowance.
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Related: Last-minute strategies for earning American AAdvantage elite status
Main Cabin Extra seats are comfortable
AAdvantage Platinum members and higher can select Main Cabin Extra seats at booking, while AAdvantage Gold members can select Main Cabin Extra seats at check-in. So, although I only need Platinum status for this perk, I appreciate being able to select Main Cabin Extra seats for myself and up to eight companions in my same reservation at or any time after booking.
Main Cabin Extra seats offer up to 6 inches of additional pitch, making it comfortable to work on my laptop in flight. Especially as my complimentary upgrades within North America clear less often, I appreciate knowing I’ll still have a comfortable seat from which I can work when flying on American Airlines.
Related: From zero to Executive Platinum: Why and how I qualified for American’s top-tier status without plans to fly the airline
My first 3 checked bags are free
On American Airlines flights, I get my first three checked bags free for myself and up to eight companions on the same reservation.
Although I rarely check more than one bag, it’s nice to check my husband’s bag as my own if he’s running late. When I carried equipment internationally to annual robot soccer competitions, my university appreciated the additional cost savings when I checked three suitcases for free.
Related: How American Airlines sucked me back into AAdvantage with Loyalty Points
Complimentary American Airlines upgrades within North America are dwindling
Many AAdvantage members value higher status tiers for better chances at space-available complimentary upgrades within North America on eligible American Airlines-operated and -marketed flights.
Historically, I tended to have good luck clearing these upgrades, but American Airlines is now doing a much better job selling upgrades to travelers on its website and app. As the airline has tuned its dynamic pricing algorithm for paid upgrades, fewer seats are available for complimentary upgrades.
My status level and rolling 12-month Loyalty Points have decreased, so it’s not surprising I’ve been getting far fewer upgrades. But, it’s also increasingly common for me to hear flight attendants greet and thank Executive Platinum and Concierge Key members sitting around me in Main Cabin Extra seats on flights within North America. Presumably, these high-tier elite members are still sitting in Main Cabin Extra because even their complimentary upgrades didn’t clear.
Related: You can now finally earn miles and Loyalty Points from paid American Airlines upgrades
I don’t need a complimentary drink and snack
One little-known benefit of Executive Platinum status is a complimentary beverage from the standard alcoholic beverage selections on flights with full-drink service and one food item from the menu on flights that offer buy-on-board food when flying in economy.
I don’t get this perk as a Platinum Pro member, but that’s OK because I get a $25 daily statement credit toward food-and-beverage purchases when I use my AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Silver Mastercard® on flights operated by American Airlines. Even if my husband and I both want an alcoholic drink and a snack, that’s not going to cost much more than what my daily $25 credit will cover.
The information for the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Executive Platinum status isn’t worth the additional Loyalty Points
AAdvantage Platinum Pro status requires 125,000 Loyalty Points — the metric American uses for elite status qualification — each 12-month period starting March 1. Meanwhile, Executive Platinum status requires 200,000 Loyalty Points without offering many incremental benefits that provide value to me.
The only valuable benefits I’d enjoy with Executive Platinum status instead of Platinum Pro status would be a higher priority on the complimentary upgrade list for flights within North America, a 120% bonus (instead of an 80% bonus) on Loyalty Points and miles on eligible flights and a Loyalty Point Rewards choice at 175,000 Loyalty Points each qualification period.
Sure, I’d love to choose two systemwide upgrades at the 175,000 Loyalty Points threshold and four more at the 250,000 Loyalty Points threshold each qualification period, but I don’t think these benefits are worth the cost of earning the extra Loyalty Points.
Related: When does airline elite status expire?
I’m in 2-player mode with a British Airways Gold member
I frequently travel with my husband, who has Oneworld Emerald status through British Airways Executive Club and plans to continue qualifying for at least Oneworld Sapphire status through Executive Club.
When you have Oneworld Sapphire status or higher through an international program and are traveling on a Oneworld airline, you and a guest can visit Oneworld lounges — including American Airlines Flagship Lounges — even when traveling within the U.S.
I’d likely be tempted to earn British Airways status if my husband wasn’t, primarily for lounge access within the U.S. and elite-qualifying metrics that aren’t spend-based. After all, the main perk I’d lose when flying on American Airlines with British Airways status instead of Oneworld status is access to complimentary upgrades on flights within North America (which don’t tend to clear frequently for me, anyway).
But, it works for me to continue earning AAdvantage Platinum Pro status for occasional upgrades when flying American Airlines with Oneworld Emerald status. Meanwhile, his status gets us lounge access when flying within the U.S.
Related: Why this Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan change may sway me to leave American’s AAdvantage program
How I’m earning AAdvantage Platinum Pro status
By this point, you might be wondering how I’m earning enough Loyalty Points each qualification period to maintain Platinum Pro status. After all, AAdvantage Platinum Pro status requires you to accrue 125,000 Loyalty Points during each 12-month period starting March 1.
Here’s a breakdown of how I’ve earned Loyalty Points this year since March 1:
- Flights: 71,479 Loyalty Points
- Aviator Silver Mastercard: 13,908 Loyalty Points
- Hyatt duel earning: 6,048 Loyalty Points
- AAdvantage eShopping: 4,027 Loyalty Points
- Budget six-day rental car: 795 Loyalty Points
- SimplyMiles: 150 Loyalty Points
As you can see, I’ve accrued 96,407 Loyalty Points of the 125,000 I’ll need by Feb. 28, 2025. I reached the 60,000 Loyalty Points milestone on Aug. 17, 2024, which means I’m earning 20% additional Loyalty Points when I spend with select partners (including SimplyMiles and AAdvantage eShopping) through Feb. 18, 2025.
I plan to get most of the remaining Loyalty Points I need through spending on my AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard. I’ve spent $13,908 on my card so far during this qualification period, but I plan to earn 5,000 additional Loyalty Points once I spend $20,000 during this qualification period and an additional 5,000 Loyalty Points once I spend $40,000.
Therefore, by spending $40,000 on my Aviator Silver Mastercard during this qualification period, I’ll earn 40,000 Loyalty Points plus an additional 10,000 Loyalty Points. I’ve already earned 13,908 Loyalty Points from spending on my Aviator Silver Mastercard, so meeting these two thresholds will boost my Loyalty Point balance to 132,499 without any other additional activity.
The Hyatt duel accrual benefit is ending Dec. 31, 2024, and I don’t have any more paid Hyatt stays before the end of the year, so I won’t earn any more Loyalty Points through that partnership. Likewise, I don’t have any paid Oneworld flights booked until after the end of February (although I have many award flights on Oneworld airlines booked). I may earn a few more Loyalty Points through SimilyMiles and AAdvantage eShopping before the end of this qualification period, but I don’t expect these to make a significant impact.
Related: Chasing American Airlines elite status? Here are 15 ways to earn Loyalty Points
Bottom line
AAdvantage Platinum Pro is the sweet spot American Airlines elite status for me since I value having Oneworld Emerald status when flying on other Oneworld airlines.
But for many travelers who primarily value selecting Main Cabin Extra seats at booking and getting their first two checked bags free when flying American, Platinum status with AAdvantage may be enough. And for some travelers, earning status through a foreign airline loyalty program like British Airways Executive Club may be a better option.
