Guide to American Airlines Platinum Status

American Airlines AAdvantage offers the following elite status levels, ranked by earning requirements.

Platinum Pro offers a number of benefits. The airline’s Loyalty points program also allows you to achieve elite status in other ways than just by flying.

AAdvantage Platinum Pro benefits

AAdvantage Platinum Pro, the second highest advertised award tier in America behind Executive Platinum is a AAdvantage Platinum Pro. The following benefits are included:

• Earnings on Rewards: Get 9x the AAdvantage Miles on American Flights, a bonus of 80% over members who do not have status.

• Main Cabin Extra, a complimentary upgrade in the economy section of the cabin. It offers extra legroom on most flights and includes free drinks. The preferred seats in economy are located at the front, but they don’t usually include free drinks and extra legroom.

• American Airlines Group 2 aircraft are eligible for priority boarding.

• Lanes prioritaires: Check-in priority and security lanes are available at airports.

• Priority for same-day standby: Up to 8 travel companions may stand by 24 hours prior to departure. This priority is above the lower tiers, general members and other members.

• Change of flight at no cost on the same date: You can confirm an earlier flight or a later flight with the same route without any penalty.

• Bags with priority delivery will arrive before other bags. All checked luggage is tagged to ensure that it arrives at the baggage claim area first.

• Oneworld Emerald Status: Platinum Pro automatically confers Oneworld Emerald, allowing you to access priority check-in, preferential seating, and priority standby when traveling with American’s Oneworld partners. You can also visit the first-class and business-class lounges on long haul international flights even if you are on an economy fare.

• Platinum Pro members can enjoy unlimited complimentary upgrades. This includes upgrades in the next class of service for flights within the United States (including Alaska, Hawaii, and the Caribbean), flights to Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas as well as flights to Central America, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. Platinum Pro upgrade availability is determined 72 hours prior to departure.

• JetBlue Airways benefits: Take advantage of priority services when you travel with JetBlue partner airline, such as expedited security and check-in, where possible, and early boarding. You can also enjoy free changes to your flight the same day, and two checked bags are free.

• No baggage fee: You and your companions can check three bags on American flights.

• Customer service priority: Call customer service to get access to American Reservations agents at 1-800-433-7300.

AAdvantage Platinum pro

American’s Loyalty points system allows you to earn status by doing more than simply flying American Airlines or their partners. Earnings can be made through hotel or credit card stays. You don’t even have to fly to achieve status. )

To achieve the Platinum Pro level, you must earn at least 125,000 loyalty points within the earning period of 12 months. This runs from March 1, one calendar year to the end of the following February.

Loyalty points can be earned by:

• You can fly on American Airlines flights and those operated by its partners , which includes some non-alliance airlines.

• Spending with American’s dining and shopping partners. You can use the AAdvantage eShopping or SimplyMiles portal (available for those who have a Mastercard), or make a reservation at a restaurant that is part of AAdvantage Dining.

What does AAdvantage Platinum Pro cost?

NerdWallet has released its annual rankings of airline status. Platinum Pro status is worth $15,153 and cost $31,646 in our analysis. Your value may be higher depending on the way you earned status and how frequently you fly.

More information

American does not offer status matching, but it will occasionally buy status from members that have held an elite status in the past. You can earn Platinum Pro without paying the high price, but you will need to fly or spend a lot to get there.

American offers challenges to status, which require that you reach certain spending and flying thresholds in order to achieve or maintain elite status.

If you are awarded elite status at American (including Platinum Pro), it will last until March 31st of the next qualification year. If you reach Platinum Pro status by Dec. 1 2023, it will last until March 31 2025.

After flying 2,000,000 miles, members can receive AAdvantage platinum and AAdvantage gold for life. Platinum Pro for life isn’t offered. You will receive 4 systemwide upgrades at 3 million miles but not a higher Elite status.

Does AAdvantage Platinum Pro really offer value?

Platinum Pro offers a number of benefits, including three complimentary checked bags, priority check in and boarding and free upgrades for eligible American or Alaska flights. Even in economy class, access to the premium lounge is a great benefit when traveling internationally.

Spending your way up to the elite level of Platinum Pro may be more straightforward than you think. Platinum Pro is a good choice, especially if you maximize its valuable benefits.

(Photo at top courtesy American Airlines)