James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in...
Edited by: Jessica Merritt
A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little ca...
& Keri Stooksbury
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
10 comments
David
January 25, 2020
I found your article very interesting and helpful. I am in the envious position of having AAEP granted to me gratis by Hyatt. I’ve decided to put together an itinerary from JFK to Europe this Summer making our 1st stop @ LHR. We will be using the 4 SWU and will fly 3 segments outbound and probably 2 segments inbound. One question I have, if I book a main cabin seat and business is not available but flagship 1st is available, will I get upgraded to flagship 1st? Thank you.
Jarrod West
February 04, 2020
Hi David,
You cannot be upgraded to first from a main cabin ticket, only Business class.
Thanks for reading!
Ray
February 17, 2020
Thanks for the very thorough write up. Two perks, as a long time EP (>15 years) in AA, that I really like are the waiving of ticketing fees for Award Tickets with less than 21 days before travel and the waiving of processing fees for reinstating Award Ticket miles if I cancel the ticket. That, in combination with the occasional low mileage requirements (5k miles flying from OKC to BUR one way for example) on Web Award specials, allow me to travel on mileage tickets last minute cheaply or book itineraries even if I am not sure until last minute.
Mike Markarian
October 24, 2020
Thanks for the article, Jarrod! Because of the lower 2020 requirements, I made Executive Platinum this year (2020) and it looks like I may hit the next tier (with 90K EQMs) which offers one of the following:
1. 2 systemwide upgrades
2. 40,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles
3. Gift of AAdvantage® Gold status
Which one of these has the most value?
Jarrod West
October 26, 2020
Hi Mike,
This post was actually written by James – but I’m happy to answer your question. It really depends on your travel plans. I definitely wouldn’t choose the gift of Gold status as I don’t find that level very valuable. If you have a lot of international travel ( or at least a few transcon trips) planned for next year then I’d probably opt for the SWU’s as those can offer huge value if the upgrade clears. If not then I’d opt for the bonus miles as they’re more flexible and last longer.
kelly
April 13, 2022
Great article. How do you claim the bonus miles for Executive Platinum?
Jarrod West
April 19, 2022
Hi Kelly,
You should be able to select them through your wallet when you log in to your AA account on the website or mobile app.
CJBB8/26
August 27, 2022
Hello there! First of all I need to confess that I’m a newbie on all this, but two days ago I proudly achieved my Advantage Executive Platinum Status for the first time. I got it using my Advantage Credit Card, buying from and staying with AA’s Partners. I also filled out some surveys LOL. And of course following all advice I read on this blog. Right now, I have a few more than 370,000 miles, but I have only flown 11 segments until now. Any advice about what I need to do in order to continue? Do the award flights count for the 30 segments? I don’t have this fully clear yet. Thank you very much in advance
Jarrod West
August 29, 2022
Hello,
You don’t have to fly 30 segments in order to achieve or retain your status. You only need to fly 30 segments with AA or its partners in order to receive a loyalty choice reward (like a systemwide upgrade), but you won’t be eligible for those until you reach Platinum Pro status (125,000 Loyalty Points). To answer your question through, award flights do not count towards any segment requirements unfortunately.
Tom
February 06, 2023
A factual inaccuracy: I’m an ex plat. It is not true that “American does not upsell premium cabin seats from under elite passengers attempting to upgrade.” I’m within the window when I should be getting complimentary upgrades for my next flight, but AA is trying to sell them for $205 each. Why bother to spend all that to be an an ex plat if they will sell the benefit from under you. After many years with that status I think it’s my last year, by choice.
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