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Like most major U.S. airlines, American Airlines no longer bases elite status on how far you fly but on how much value you bring to the airline through spending.
But instead of tracking multiple metrics like flight segments or dollars spent, American uses a single system called Loyalty Points. Every eligible AAdvantage mile you earn — whether from flying, spending on an American Airlines credit card or making purchases with partners — also earns you 1 Loyalty Point.
It’s a simpler, more flexible way to reach elite status, with opportunities to earn even when you’re not in the air. Here’s how the AAdvantage Loyalty Points system works — and what you need to know to earn elite status with American Airlines.
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What are American Airlines Loyalty Points?
American Airlines Loyalty Points are the currency the airline uses to determine your AAdvantage elite status. American awards 1 Loyalty Point for every eligible AAdvantage mile you earn, whether it’s from flying with American or its partners, using an AAdvantage credit card or shopping and dining through AAdvantage partners.
That means you can work toward elite status even when you’re not traveling. The more Loyalty Points you earn within a qualification year, the higher your elite tier — and the better your perks, like upgrades, bonus miles and airport privileges.
AAdvantage elite status requirements
To receive AAdvantage elite status, you'll need to earn:
- 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.
The airline also offers other benefits and your choice of a Loyalty Point reward when you reach other milestones, ranging from 15,000 to 5 million Loyalty Points. Sample rewards include preferred seat coupons, preferred boarding, seat upgrades and elite status with partners like Avis and Hyatt.
The status qualification year runs from March 1 to the last day of February of the following year.
How to earn Loyalty Points
There are a few ways you can earn Loyalty Points, some of which don't require you to set foot on an airplane. Here's a look at your options.
Fly with American Airlines
AAdvantage members earn 5 Loyalty Points for every dollar spent on eligible American Airlines flights, excluding taxes and government fees. The exception is basic economy fares, which earn 2 Loyalty Points per dollar.
As an elite member, you'll earn points even faster because elite tier mileage bonuses also count toward Loyalty Points. Here’s how earning rates break down by elite tier:
- General member: 5 Loyalty Points per $1.
- Gold elite: 7 Loyalty Points per $1.
- Platinum elite: 8 Loyalty Points per $1.
- Platinum Pro elite: 9 Loyalty Points per $1.
- Executive Platinum elite: 11 Loyalty Points per $1.
For basic economy fares, the bonus percentages apply to the base mileage rate of 2 miles per dollar. This means instead of earning 7 Loyalty Points per $1 spent as a Gold elite member, you earn 3 Loyalty Points.
Loyalty Points you earn from flying on American are credited to your account within one to three days from your travel date.
» Learn more: Your guide to earning American Airlines Loyalty Points
Fly with partner airlines
AAdvantage members also earn Loyalty Points when flying on partner airlines, including Oneworld alliance members and other eligible partners. As with flying on American Airlines, your Loyalty Point earnings are generally based on your AAdvantage earnings.
With some partners, however, your Loyalty Points are based on the distance of the flight. As with flights on American, elite status bonus miles also count toward Loyalty Points.
Loyalty Points you earn from flying with partners are typically credited to your account within 30 days of the date of travel.
» Learn more: The complete guide to American Airlines partners
Use an American Airlines credit card
Whether or not you're a frequent traveler, one of the best ways to rack up Loyalty Points is through one of the airline's credit cards. Every eligible dollar you spend on purchases earns 1 Loyalty Point.
American Airlines personal cards
Annual fee
$0.
$99, waived for the first 12 months.
$350.
$595.
Welcome offer
Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $7,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
Earn rate
• 2 miles per $1 at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services, and on eligible American Airlines purchases.
• 1 mile per $1 spent on other purchases.
• 1 Loyalty Point per 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases.
• 1 mile per $1 spent on other purchases.
• 1 Loyalty Point per 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.
• 6 miles per $1 on eligible AAdvantage Hotels bookings.
• 3 miles per $1 on eligible American Airlines purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and on eligible Rides and Rails purchases, including taxis, rideshares and public transit.
• 1 mile per $1 on everything else.
• 1 Loyalty Point per 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.
• 10 miles per $1 on eligible car rentals and hotels booked through AA.
• 4 miles per $1 on eligible American Airlines purchases (5 miles per $1 after spending $150,000 total on the card in a calendar year).
• 1 mile per $1 on everything else.
• 1 Loyalty Point per 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.
Learn more
Some cards also offer bonus Loyalty Points for hitting certain milestones, helping you reach higher elite status tiers even faster.
For example, cardholders with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® are eligible to earn a Loyalty Point bonus: Earn 10,000 additional Loyalty Points after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year. Earn another 10,000 Loyalty Points after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points in the same status qualification year.
Also, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® offers a Flight Streak bonus, which gives you 5,000 Loyalty Points for every four eligible paid American flights you take (up to 15,000 additional Loyalty Points each status qualification year).
Keep in mind that while some American Airlines credit cards offer bonus miles in specific categories, you won't earn extra Loyalty Points on those purchases. The same rule applies to welcome offers and spending bonuses, which don’t contribute toward your Loyalty Point total.
» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now
Spend with other partners
You also earn Loyalty Points through other types of AAdvantage-earning partners. This includes shopping through:
- American Airlines Vacations.
- SimplyMiles.
- AAdvantage eShopping.
- AAdvantage Dining.
- AAdvantage Hotels.
You can even earn double miles and Loyalty Points when you book rental cars with Avis and Budget through the American Airlines travel portal.
What activity doesn't earn Loyalty Points?
Generally, you earn a Loyalty Point for every AAdvantage mile earned. However, there are some key exceptions. Here are the types of activities that do not earn Loyalty Points:
- Bonus miles earned from special promotions.
- Buying, gifting or transferring miles.
- Government taxes, fees and other charges associated with buying a ticket.
- Transferring points from another loyalty program (e.g., Marriott or Citi).
- Bonus miles on purchases made on AAdvantage credit cards.
- New account bonuses, welcome bonuses or spending bonuses on AAdvantage credit cards.
Final thoughts on American Airlines Loyalty Points
American Airlines’ Loyalty Points program simplifies the path to elite status by tying rewards directly to how many AAdvantage miles you earn, not just how much or how far you fly. Whether you’re booking flights, spending on an AAdvantage credit card or shopping with partners, every eligible mile helps you move closer to your next elite tier.
For frequent flyers, the program offers a clear, flexible way to build status faster, while casual travelers can still earn meaningful rewards through everyday spending.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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