The New American Airlines AAdvantage Program is Here!

Just announced, the new American Airlines AAdvantage program is here. This program combines US Airways Dividend Miles with the current American Airlines AAdvantage. In summary, there are hardly any bad changes. The new AAdvantage program retains most of the great benefits from previous years.

The new American will include 3 status levels:

• Gold
• Platinum
• Executive Platinum

It’s worth noting that all of the requirements for elite status remain the same except for Executive Platinum, where if you qualify by segments, you’ll need 120 segments instead of the current 100.

Here’s how upgrades will work on American Airlines:

Here’s what you need to know:

• Upgrades will be complimentary for all elites for flights under 500 miles.
• Upgrades will be complimentary for Executive Platinum on flights over 500 miles. All other elites will continue to use sticker 500 mile upgrades (Sticker 500-mile upgrades will continue to be $30 if purchased in advance, $35 if purchased from an agent.).
• Executive Platinum members will continue to receive 8 systemwide upgrades each year.

Here’s how upgrades will work for AAdvantage elites traveling on US Airways, until the merger and program is combined and complete:

If you’re a current US Airways elite member, here’s how you’ll combine into the new AAdvantage program:

Here’s what you need to know:

• If you are a US Airways Silver, you’ll move to AAdvantage Gold.
• If you are a US Airways Gold or Platinum, you’ll move to AAdvantage Platinum.
• If you are a US Airways Chairman’s Preferred, you’ll move to AAdvantage Executive Platinum.

There are positive changes if you are an Executive Platinum

• Complimentary confirmed flight changes for Executive Platinum members flying on American
• Upgrades will be auto requested, so you don’t have to manually request them.

What’s new for US Airways elites?

Right now

• Complimentary snacks and drinks in the Main Cabin for Chairman’s Preferred members on all US Airways and American flights

January 2015

• Enjoy complimentary same-day confirmed flight changes on American, a new benefit for Chairman’s Preferred members
  Redeem all your Special Dividends by early 2015; qualification ends in December 2014

Second quarter of 2015 (when programs are combined)

• Move to three elite status levels in the AAdvantage program – Gold, Platinum and Executive Platinum
• Qualify for elite status based on elite-qualifying miles, segments and points
• Receive a 100% mileage bonus if you’re a Dividend Miles Gold or Platinum member who becomes AAdvantage Platinum
• Redeem miles for AAnytime awards and mileage upgrade awards on both American and US Airways marketed and operated flights
• Upgrade on American marketed and operated flights before day of departure

What’s new for American Airlines elites?

Right now

• Executive Platinum members now enjoy a complimentary snack and drink in the Main Cabin on US Airways

January 2015

• Move to 120 segments to qualify for Executive Platinum status for the 2016 membership year
• Complimentary confirmed flight changes for Executive Platinum members flying on American
• Increased class of service bonus for Business Class tickets from 25% to 50%

Second quarter of 2015 (when programs are combined)

• Enjoy complimentary upgrades on flights 500 miles or less on flights marketed and operated by American
• Complimentary upgrades will be auto-requested on flights marketed and operated by American and US Airways
• Complimentary upgrades on flights marketed and operated by US Airways before day of departure
• Redeem miles for upgrades on flights marketed and operated by US Airways
• Use systemwide upgrades on flights marketed and operated by US Airways
• Redeem miles for AAnytime awards on flights marketed and operated by US Airways

All in all, the changes to the AAdvantage program are positive. Sure, if you attain Executive Platinum status by segments, you’ll need to add 20 more to your year, however most elites do not qualify by segments anyways, so this isn’t a huge change for the majority of flyers. I like how under 500 mile flights will move to complimentary upgrades for all elites, since sometimes it seemed silly to pay $30 for a short 30 minute flight.

You can read more about the changes on American Airlines website here.

I’m excited about the new AAdvantage program. How do you view the changes?