How the EQD Waiver on American Airlines Works

AAdvantage members who spend $30,000 on co-branded credit cards can get an elite status requirement waived.
JT Genter

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Earning American Airlines AAdvantage elite status typically requires flying tens of thousands of miles (thus earning Elite Qualifying Miles) and spending thousands of dollars on airfares (earning Elite Qualifying Dollars). But, for this year only, American is giving a reprieve from the latter of these requirements. AAdvantage members can earn an EQD waiver on American Airlines by spending $30,000 on co-branded credit cards in 2021.

However, not all tiers of AAdvantage elite status are eligible for the EQD waiver, and there are other important limitations to keep in mind. So, we'll show you how the EQD waiver on American Airlines works, plus what you need to know about earning one.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Limitations

While there aren't many limitations on this American Airlines EQD waiver, it's important to pay attention to the few restrictions on this opportunity that do exist.

No waiver for Executive Platinum status

American Airlines will waive the EQD requirement for AAdvantage Platinum Pro, Platinum or Gold elite status holders. However, you won't be able to get an EQD waiver for Executive Platinum elite status — the highest tier — regardless of how much spending you put on an American Airlines credit card.

Limited to the primary cardholder

Many American Airlines co-branded credit cards allow cardholders to add authorized users. Any purchases made by authorized users will count toward the EQD waiver but only for the primary cardholder. Authorized users are not able to spend toward their own EQD waiver.

Spending must post to your account by Dec. 31, 2021

In order to qualify, your purchases need to post to your credit card account by Dec. 31, 2021. Be aware that some purchases may take a few days to post, such as online purchases, which may not charge your account until shipping. Try not to cut it close at the end of the year.

Ineligible purchases

When determining how much you have spent toward the $30,000 goal, don't just add up all of the charges to your account. Only certain types of transactions are eligible for the EQD waiver.

Ineligible transactions include:

  • Balance transfers.

  • Cash advances.

  • Checks that access your credit card account.

  • Items and services returned for credit.

  • Unauthorized charges.

  • Interest and account fees.

  • Traveler’s checks.

  • Purchases of foreign currency.

  • Money orders.

  • Wire transfers (and similar cash-like transactions).

  • Lottery tickets.

  • Gaming chips (and similar betting transactions).

» Learn more: The complete guide to redeeming American Airlines miles

Credit cards eligible for the EQD waiver on American Airlines

The good news is that all Citi/AAdvantage and all AAdvantage Aviator credit cards are eligible for spending toward the American Airlines' EQD waiver.

Even better, you don't have to spend all $30,000 on one card. You can combine spending across multiple American Airlines co-branded credit cards to reach the $30,000 threshold. That means you can spend on AAdvantage credit cards you already have, as well as spend on new credit cards that you sign up for during this year.

If you want to double-dip on your spending — working both toward the EQD waiver and a sign-up bonus — here are some of the American Airlines credit cards offering one:

How to get even more perks while earning the EQD waiver

If you're planning to spend your way to the EQD waiver, you might as well score other American Airlines perks along the way. Depending on which cards you have, you can earn Elite Qualifying Miles, a flight discount or even a companion certificate.

Earn Elite Qualifying Miles

To earn AAdvantage elite status, you need to earn either a set number of EQMs or Elite Qualifying Segments in addition to the EQD waiver. There are two AAdvantage co-branded credit cards that can get you a jump-start on your EQM earnings.

You can earn up to 10,000 EQMs by spending on the AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard®. Earn 5,000 EQMs for making $20,000 in qualifying purchases in a calendar year. Then, earn another 5,000 EQMs once you spend another $20,000 in purchases.

Earn a flight discount on American Airlines

If you're looking to get a discount on future travels, you might want to focus your spending on the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. Cardholders can earn a $125 American Airlines flight discount by spending $20,000 in purchases in a cardmember year.

Spend your way to companion certificates

If you plan to take an expensive domestic economy trip on American Airlines with a companion, you might want to focus your spending on one of two Barclays credit cards that offer cardholders the ability to earn an American Airlines Companion Certificate.

The first is the AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard®. If you spend $20,000 in purchases in your cardholder year, you'll earn a companion certificate good on domestic economy American Airlines flights. You can bring up to two companions with you on a paid flight for a fare of just $99, plus taxes and fees.

Or, if you have a small business, you can earn one companion certificate by spending $30,000 in a cardholder year on a AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®. This version of the companion certificate is only valid for one companion on domestic economy flights, and the fare is also $99 plus taxes and fees.

» Learn more: Your guide to the American Airlines award chart

The bottom line

As travel begins to recover this year, American Airlines flyers may find it hard to earn enough EQDs through flying. Thankfully, potential AAdvantage elites have a golden opportunity to spend toward an EQD waiver in 2021.

Unfortunately for aspiring Executive Platinum elites, this opportunity is limited to Platinum Pro, Platinum and Gold elite status. However, you can spend on any Citi or Barclays credit card — potentially earning sign-up bonuses and other perks as your spending reaps additional benefits.

The information related to CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2022, including those best for:

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