American Airlines (AA or AAL) is the biggest airline in the United States with its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. The airline flies to more than 350 destinations around the globe with 7,000+ daily flights.
AA operates from 10 primary hubs including Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte Douglas, Chicago-O’Hare, Los Angeles, Miami, New York-JFK, New York-LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Phoenix-Sky Harbor, and Washington-National.
Discover benefits of Platinum Status on American Airlines
American Airlines is also known as the world’s largest airline in terms of fleet capacity, scheduled passenger carried, and revenue passenger mile.
Talking about fare classes, you can find Flagship First, Flagship Business, Premium Economy, Main Cabin Extra, and Main Cabin on American Airlines flights.
For extra benefits, AA customers can qualify for AAdvantage Status membership and receive exclusive amenities. AAdvantage Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum are the Status levels.
In this blog, we will explore the benefits of Platinum Status on American Airlines Platinum Status including the membership requirement. Without further delay, let’s get started.
What is American Airlines Platinum Status? (AAdvantage Platinum)
American Airlines Platinum Status is the third level Loyalty Program of the AAdvantage Status. Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum are above Platinum Status while Gold Status is below Platinum.
AAdvantage Platinum offers various amenities including complimentary upgrades, a 48-hour upgrade window, a 60% Status Mileage Bonus, complimentary main cabin extra & preferred seats, and two free checked baggage.
AA passengers can achieve AAdvantage Platinum status by earning loyalty points, using an AAdvantage Credit Card, or earning eligible miles with AAdvantage partners.
With this short familiarization, let’s explore more about the Platinum Status.
What are the benefits of Platinum Status on American Airlines?
You fly at a higher level – these benefits take you even higher.
Here are the major benefits offered by American Airlines Platinum status.
Complimentary Main Cabin Extra
Passengers holding AAdvantage Platinum Status can enjoy extra space, and enhanced comfort with complimentary access to Main Cabin extra seats.
Platinum customers can access Preferred seats if Main Cabin Extra isn’t available. A number of Preferred seats are reserved exclusively for loyal passengers.
Complimentary Premium Cabin Upgrades
Platinum Status passengers traveling within North America receive complimentary cabin upgrades as early as 48 hours before their flight (when available).
Passengers can upgrade to the Premium Cabin which offers extra space, delicious dining options, and various other amenities.
The upgrades are valid on American marketed, and operated flights that include flights within, and between the United States (including Hawaii), and between the United States, and Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Central America.
In addition to the cabin upgrades, Platinum Status holders get unlimited, and auto-requested complimentary upgrades along with a complimentary upgrade for 1 companion traveling on the same flight.
A 60% Mile Bonus
60% Mile Bonus is another noteworthy benefit offered by AAdvantage Platinum Status. Customers with Platinum Status can earn 8 award miles per U.S. dollar spent.
1 U.S. Dollar Spent = 8 Award Miles
With up to a 60% mile bonus, every flight can lead to more extraordinary adventures. Besides, the extra miles earned are also counted toward earning Loyalty Points which expedites Loyalty Choice Rewards, and AAdvantage Status qualification.
Passengers can also earn additional bonus miles while flying with other select partner airlines. The eligible partner airlines are listed below.
- Alaska Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Finnair
- GOL Airlines
- Iberia
- Japan Airlines
- JetBlue
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian
American Airlines Platinum Baggage Benefits (2 Checked Bags for Free!)
If you are always worried about exceeding the baggage limit while flying with American Airlines, you can just qualify for Platinum Status, and enjoy 2 Free checked bags along with Priority Handling.
Platinum Status passengers can carry 2 checked baggage for free on all flights. The Priority Baggage Handling service allows the baggage to arrive quickly at the baggage claim area.
Priority Lanes for Expedited Check-in, and Security Screening
I am pretty sure that you are always annoyed when you have to wait longer to get through the check-in, security screening, and boarding. Waiting in a long queue for check-in, security screening, and boarding is one of the hectic tasks for passengers.
If you’re an AAdvantage Platinum Status member, you don’t need to worry anymore because you are provided with access to Priority Lanes.
The Priority Lanes are used for expedited check-in, security screening, and boarding. You can pass through the airport, and secure your seat faster.
Furthermore, AAdvantage Platinum members can check in at any First Class lane regardless of the class of service. After completing the check-in process, they can use AA’s exclusive security screening lanes at select airports.
When it comes to Priority Boarding, AAdvantage Platinum, and Oneworld Sapphire members are placed in Group 3 priority boarding.
Same-day Standby Priority
With AAdvantage Platinum Status, passengers receive a higher standby priority if they require a different flight, or need to change their flights. The same-day priority is applicable for flights to and from the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Canada, and the Caribbean (select destinations).
OneWorld Sapphire Status
American Airlines passengers holding AAdvantage Platinum Status are also entitled to Oneworld Sapphire Status holders with which they receive benefits including priority check-in, priority boarding, and access to International Business Class lounges on eligible flights.
AAdvantage Platinum Service Desk
There are AAdvantage Platinum Reservations Agents available at the airport to assist Platinum Status members with their travel.
The available service from the Reservations Agents are:
- Reservations
- Upgrade purchases and requests
- Award claims
- AAdvantage® account inquiries
- Customer service
Does AAdvantage Platinum have Lounge access?
American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Status doesn’t offer complimentary lounge access however, Platinum Status passengers receive a special discounted rate on an Admirals Club membership. Besides, they also get access to International Business Class lounges on eligible flights.
AA Passengers can enjoy food, beverages, and various other amenities at Admirals Club available in various airports across the country.
How to get American Airlines Gold Status? (Requirements)
AAdvantage Status membership can be obtained by earning Loyalty Points while flying, using an AAdvantage Credit card for purchases, or earning eligible miles with AAdvantage Partners.
1 Eligible AAdvantage Mile = One Loyalty Point
To acquire AAdvantage Platinum Status, you need to earn at least 75,000 Loyalty Points which equals 75,000 miles. You will earn these points whenever you fly with American Airlines, or AAdvantage partner airlines, and your progress will be displayed in your account.
The Loyalty Points collected in your account are analyzed for the 12-month period starting on the 1st of March of each year. For instance, if you become able to collect at least 30,000 Loyalty Points within the 12-month period, you will receive AAdvantage Gold Status membership that will be valid till March 31 of each year.
Conclusion on Platinum Status on American Airlines
American Airlines Platinum Status holds the third position in the AAdvantage Status hierarchy. Complimentary Premium Cabin upgrades, a 48-hour upgrade window, a 60% Status Mileage Bonus, complimentary main cabin extra & preferred seats, Priority Lanes, and two free checked baggage are the major benefits provided by the Premium Status.
Those passengers flying with American Airlines, or AAdvantage Partner Airlines, and collecting at least 75,000 Loyalty Points in the period of 1 year are eligible for the AAdvantage Platinum Status. Besides, they can earn Loyalty Points by using an AAdvantage Credit Card for purchases.
So, start acquiring Loyalty Points if you are a frequent flyer with American Airlines. As you reach the Loyalty Points threshold, you will qualify for the AAdvantage Status. The acquired points can be viewed on your account.
FAQs on AAdvantage Platinum Status
Does AAdvantage Platinum Select have Lounge access?
AAdvantage Platinum Status doesn’t offer complimentary Lounge Access however, Platinum Status passengers get discounted rates at Admirals Club. Besides, they also get access to International Business Class Lounges on eligible flights.
How many AA Platinum members are there?
As per the latest report, there are more than 80,000 American Airlines Platinum Members.
Does AAdvantage Platinum Select get Priority Boarding?
American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Status provides access to Priority Lanes that enables expedited check-in, security screening, and boarding.
How do you become a platinum member of American Airlines?
You can become a Platinum Member of American Airlines by acquiring at least 75,000 Loyalty Points. Fly with AA, or AAdvantage Partner Airlines, or use an AAdvantage Credit Card for purchases to collect Loyalty Points.
