American Airlines has announced changes to its loyalty program, and despite being positive about the changes, the key takeaway is that it’ll now be harder for customers to earn gold status.
Under the new policy, American Airlines AAdvantage members will need to earn 40,000 loyalty points to reach “gold” status starting in March of next year. That’s a 30,000 increase from its initial requirement.
AA has also decided to end its MileSAAver and AAnytime awards, which allowed customers to redeem frequent flyer miles for tickets at set minimum rates.
“We’re creating a more meaningful travel rewards program for our AAdvantage members,” said Vasu Raja, American’s Chief Commercial Officer.
“Only our members will have access to everything American has to offer. Achieving status will unlock an even wider world of unique experiences with the airline and our partners.”
The airline will now have “web specials” that will have miles requirements but those internet sales will change based on their demands, The Street reported.
One good thing about the new changes is that loyalty members will reach the first level of benefits once they earn 15,000 points, which gets them Group 5 boarding privileges. As well as the option of either priority check-in, security and Group 4 boarding for one trip, or five preferred seat coupons.
The airline announced it is also doing away with the previous 75,000 limits on miles that a member could earn on one ticket and AAdvantage members will earn two miles per dollar spent on Basic economy fares for all tickets purchased on or after January 1, 2023, for all flights taking off on or after March 1, 2023.
