American Airlines released information about changes to the AAdvantage program for 2025. The core of the program remains the same but there are three big changes most folks will appreciate.
No Change to AAdvantage Status Levels
American Airlines isn’t changing the requirements to earn elite status in the American Airlines AAdvantage program earned via Loyalty Points:
- Earning AAdvantage Gold status requires reaching 40,000 Loyalty Points.
- Earning AAdvantage Platinum status requires reaching 75,000 Loyalty Points.
- Earning AAdvantage Platinum Pro status requires reaching 125,000 Loyalty Points.
- Earning AAdvantage Executive Platinum status requires reaching 200,000 Loyalty Points.
Folks who may have struggled to maintain their status will find this great news.
Pro-tip: You can earn American Airlines elite status during the qualification year from March 1 through February 28 of the following year.
American Allows Members To Use Miles for Food and Drinks
AAdvantage members will be able to use their miles for food and beverage purchases on eligible flights in 2025. For most folks, this won’t represent a good use of American miles.
But for those who fly American Airlines infrequently, can’t purchase food in the terminal, are short on cash, or don’t have a credit card, this is an option.
Pro-tip: Assuming American allows folks to use their miles to purchase food and drinks for others, parents sending their unaccompanied minor to visit family could consider it a good solution.
American Extends Systemwide Upgrade Expiration Date
The Loyalty Points Rewards program offers Systemwide Upgrades (SWUs) as one choice. Members can upgrade their coach, Premium Economy, and Business Class seat to the next class of service on American Airlines and British Airways using a Systemwide Upgrade.
Now the SWUs are valid for one year from the date issued. Starting March 1, 2025, Systemwide Upgrades will be valid through the end of the elite status year.
Pro-tip: If you don’t need a Systemwide Upgrade immediately, delaying earning status to extend the expiration date could be worth it.
American Introduces New Million Miler Lifetime Status Levels
Currently, there are two lifetime AAdvantage status levels. You can earn lifetime AAdvantage Gold status at one million miles and lifetime AAdvantage Platinum status at two million miles.
The AAdvantage program will offer four lifetime status levels beginning March 1, 2025:
- Members will receive lifetime AAdvantage Gold status by flying 1 million miles
- Members will receive lifetime AAdvantage Platinum status by flying 2 million miles
- Members will receive lifetime AAdvantage Platinum Pro status by flying 4 million miles
- Members will receive lifetime AAdvantage Executive Platinum status by flying 5 million miles
Pro-tip: AAdvantage members will receive four additional one-way systemwide upgrades at each additional AAdvantage Million Miler mark.
Conclusion
The American AAdvantage 2025 program reveals three new changes that positively impact members. Exciting new developments are in store when flying American Airlines, including the ability to use miles for food and drinks onboard, a longer expiration date on systemwide upgrades, and the ability to earn lifetime executive platinum status.
I’m most excited about earning lifetime Executive Platinum status.
What are you looking forward to from the American Airlines AAdvantage program in 2025?
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