AAdvantage Loyalty Points Rewards is a new, simplified way to earn frequent flyer status along with additional perks in the American Airlines AAdvantage program. Gone are the days of worrying about meeting the annual requirements for Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs), Elite Qualifying Segments (EQMs), and Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs).
With this new program, you'll only need to keep track of one metric and that is Loyalty Points.
How many Loyalty points do you need for status?
There two types of rewards you'll earn as you climb the ranks in the Loyalty Points Rewards program: AAdvantage elite status and Loyalty Choice Rewards.
AAdvantage Elite Status
Here are the Loyalty Point requirements for earning AAdvantage elite status:
- 40,000 Loyalty Points for AAdvantage Gold.
- 75,000 Loyalty Points for AAdvantage Platinum.
- 125,000 Loyalty Points for AAdvantage Platinum Pro.
- 200,000 Loyalty Points for AAdvantage Executive Platinum.
Loyalty Choice Rewards
Along with earning status, you'll also receive additional rewards when earning Loyalty Points throughout the year. Here's the breakdown of those rewards:
| Loyalty Points Required | Benefits |
|---|---|
| 15,000 Points |
|
| 60,000 Points |
|
| 100,000 Points |
|
| 175,000 Points |
|
| 250,000 Points |
|
| 400,000 Points, 550,000 Points, & 750,000 Points |
|
| 1,000,000 Points |
|
| 3,000,000 Points |
|
| 5,000,000 Points |
|
How do you earn AAdvantage Loyalty Points?
For every 1 eligible AAdvantage Mile you earn, you'll earn 1 Loyalty Point. While that is pretty simple, you'll need to know what qualifies as "eligible".
Eligible AAdvantage Miles that will earn you AAdvantage Loyalty Points come from flying American Airlines and their partners, spending on American Airlines credit cards, and spending with AAdvantage partners.
Flying American Airlines and their partners
Just about all AAdvantage miles earned from flying American Airlines and their airline partners will qualify as Loyalty Points. This includes:
- Air Tahiti Nui
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Cape Air
- Cathay Pacific
- Finnair
- GOL Airlines
- Iberia
- Japan Airlines
- JetBlue
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qantas Airways
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian Airlines
- Silver Airways
- SriLankan Airlines
When flying these airlines, you'll earn Loyalty Points based on the base points earned from the flight, the bonus miles from elite status in the AAdvantage program, and the bonus you'll receive when booking different cabins (Premium, First, Business, etc.).
There are only four airlines in which you will not receive Loyalty Points for:
- China Southern Airlines
- Etihad Airways
- Fiji Airways
- Hawaiian Airlines
Any flights marketed by these four airlines will only earn you AAdvantage miles.
Using American Airlines credit cards
For every $1 spent on U.S.-issued American Airlines credit cards, you'll earn 1 Loyalty Point. Do note that this does not include bonus categories (unless there is an active promotion stating otherwise).
Here are the credit cards you can use to earn Loyalty points on your purchases:
- 2X miles on American Airlines purchases
- Complimentary Admirals Club membership
- First checked bag free for yourself and up to 8 others traveling with you
- Up to $100 towards a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application
- $595 annual fee
- Card Value & AAdvantage Miles Calculator
- 2X miles on American Airlines and restaurant purchases
- 25% off in-flight purchases of food and beverage
- $0 annual fee
- Card Value & AAdvantage Miles Calculator
- Earn 2X AAdvantage Miles on American Airlines purchases and on gas station and restaurant purchases
- Earn 1X AAdvantage Miles on all other purchases
- Receive the first checked bag free for yourself and up to 4 others when you use the card to pay for your flight
- Enjoy priority perks which includes priority check-in, screening, and boarding privileges
- Receive a $125 discount when you spend $20,000 or more on your card during the membership year
- $95 annual fee
- Card Value & AAdvantage Miles Calculator
- Earn 2X AAdvantage Miles on American Airlines purchases and on telecommunications, rental car, and gas station purchases.
- Earn 1X AAdvantage Miles on all other purchases
- Receive the first checked bag free for yourself and up to 4 others when you use the card to pay for your flight
- Enjoy priority perks which includes priority check-in, screening, and boarding privileges
- Receive a $99 Domestic Economy Fare Companion Certificate when you spend $30,000 or more on the card during the membership year
- $0 annual fee the first year, then $99 thereafter
- Card Value & AAdvantage Miles Calculator
- Earn 2X AAdvantage Miles on American Airlines purchases
- Earn 1X AAdvantage Miles on all other purchases
- First checked bag free for yourself and up to 4 companions traveling on the same reservation
- $99 companion certificate after spending $20,000 or more on your Aviator Red Mastercard during the year
- Receive $25 back in statement credits annually for Wi-Fi purchases on AA operated flights
- $95 annual fee
- Card Value & AAdvantage Miles Calculator
- Earn 2X AAdvantage Miles on America Airlines, office supply store, telecommunications, and car rentals purchases
- Earn 1X AAdvantage Miles on all other purchases
- 5% mileage bonus on your card anniversary
- First checked bag free for yourself and up to 4 companions traveling on the same reservation
- $99 annual companion certificate after spending $30,000 or more on the card during the calendar year
- $95 annual fee
- Card Value & AAdvantage Miles Calculator
In my opinion, this is one of the best changes to the program as you can pretty much spend your way to a higher status. This can make AAdvantage credit cards a great option if you don't fly a lot, but still want a chance at obtaining higher status through annual spending.
Just as a data point, here are the amounts you would need to spend on U.S.-issued American Express credit cards for each tier:
- $40,000/year or $3,334/month in credit card spend for AAdvantage Gold.
- $75,000/year or $6,250/month in credit card spend for AAdvantage Platinum.
- $125,000/year or $10,417/month in credit card spend for AAdvantage Platinum Pro.
- $200,000/year or $16,666/month in credit card spend for AAdvantage Executive.
These are of course very high spend amounts
Spending with AAdvantage partners
Loyalty points can be earned spending with qualifying partners. This includes hotels, car rentals, cruises, retail, and various AA portals such as AAdvantage eShopping and American Airlines Vacations.
The amount of points you earn will vary from partner to partner, but it will typically be based on the base miles earned. Bonuses and promotions offered by partners and through AA portals will usually not earn you Loyalty Points.
What does not earn Loyalty Points?
There's a large amount of exclusions that can be found in the fine print when it comes to the Loyalty Points Rewards program. In summary, you will not earn Loyalty Points:
- Bonus miles and promotions from American Airlines and their partners (e.g. Earn "X" bonus miles when you spend $Y).
- AAdvantage credit card multipliers (all cards earn up to 1 Loyalty Point per $1).
- Credit card welcome/intro bonuses.
- Taxes, fees, and other charges when buying flight tickets.
- Buying and gifting AAdvantage miles.
- Transferring AAdvantage miles to other AAdvantage members.
- Transferring rewards to American Airlines AAdvantage from partner programs (e.g. Marriott to AAdvantage).
There's a small handful more that can be found in the FAQs, but these are the most common activities for most AA flyers.
American Airlines Loyalty Points Calculator
Use our AAdvantage Loyalty Points Calculator to estimate how many Loyalty points you can earn based on qualifying flights, AAdvantage credit card purchases, and eligible spending with AA partners.
| Points earned from flights | 0 Loyalty Points |
| Points earned from credit card spend | 0 Loyalty Points |
| Points earned from spending with partners | 0 Loyalty Points |
| Total Loyalty Points earned | 0 Loyalty Points |
| Status reached | AAdvantage Member |
| Loyalty Points needed for AAdvantage Gold | 0 Loyalty Points |
FAQs
What are American Airlines Loyalty points?
Loyalty Points is the new metric that American Airlines uses to determine your status in the AAdvantage program. It replaces the Elite Qualifying Miles, Elite Qualifying Segments, and Elite Qualifying Dollars requirements.
How do you earn American Airlines Loyalty Points?
For every 1 eligible AAdvantage Mile you earn, you will earn 1 Loyalty Point. You can earn points flying, spending on American Airlines credit cards, and spending with AAdvantage partners.
How many Loyalty Points do you need for AAdvantage Gold?
You will need to earn 40,000 Loyalty Points for AAdvantage Gold.
How many Loyalty Points do you need for AAdvantage Platinum?
You will need to earn 75,000 Loyalty Points for AAdvantage Platinum.
How many Loyalty Points do you need for AAdvantage Platinum Pro?
You will need to earn 125,000 Loyalty Points for AAdvantage Platinum Pro.
How many Loyalty Points do you need for AAdvantage Executive Platinum?
You will need to earn 200,000 Loyalty Points for AAdvantage Executive Platinum.
What's the best way to earn Loyalty Points?
The best way to earn points is by flying American Airlines and their airline partners. Spending on U.S.-issued American Airlines credit cards is also a fantastic way to quickly earn points.
Can you earn Loyalty Points spending on American Airlines credit cards?
Yes. Most U.S.-issued American Airlines credit cards will earn you 1 Loyalty Point for every $1 spent.
We've run the calculations and checked them twice — here are the credit cards that consistently provide outstanding value to our users:
- Best flexible travel card: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best overall value year after year: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best for high cash back: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best for lounge access & luxury travel: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best for business travel rewards: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- Best for heavy business spend: Capital One Spark Cash Plus
