If you are a frequent flyer or a credit card holder with American Airlines, you have likely heard the term “Loyalty Points.” Introduced in 2022, Loyalty Points (LPs) are the sole metric used by American Airlines to determine your elite status.
Gone are the days of tracking Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) or Segments (EQSs). Now, the system is simplified: Earn miles, get status.
1. The Core Definition
Loyalty Points are the points that count toward earning AAdvantage® elite status. For every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile you earn, you earn 1 Loyalty Point.
It is important to distinguish between two things:
- Redeemable Miles: These are the miles you use to book “free” award flights.
- Loyalty Points: These are the points that determine if you are a Gold, Platinum, or Executive Platinum member.
2. How Do You Earn Loyalty Points?
The beauty of the Loyalty Point system is that you can earn status without ever stepping foot on a plane. There are four primary ways to accumulate them:
A. Flying
When you fly on American Airlines, American Eagle, or partner airlines (like British Airways, Qatar Airways, or Alaska Airlines), you earn Loyalty Points based on the ticket price (for AA flights) or distance flown (for some partners).
- Basic members earn 5 miles (and 5 LPs) per dollar spent.
- Elite members earn bonuses (up to 11 LPs per dollar for Executive Platinum).
B. AAdvantage® Credit Cards
This is the fastest way for many to reach status. For every $1 spent on an eligible AAdvantage® credit card (issued by Citi or Barclays), you earn 1 Loyalty Point.
- Note: Sign-up bonuses and “accelerated” category spend (like 2x miles on gas) usually do not count as extra Loyalty Points; you typically only get 1 LP per $1 spent regardless of the category.
C. AAdvantage® eShopping & Dining
By using the AAdvantage® eShopping portal or AAdvantage® Dining, you earn miles for everyday purchases like clothes, electronics, or eating out. Every base mile earned through these portals counts as 1 Loyalty Point.
D. Partner Rewards
You can earn LPs through:
- Hotel Bookings: Using platforms like Rocketmiles or Bookhotels.com.
- Car Rentals: Booking through Avis or Budget.
- SimplyMiles: Linking your Mastercard to special offers.
3. American Airlines Status Thresholds
To achieve elite status, you must reach the following Loyalty Point milestones within the status year (which runs from March 1 to the end of February the following year):
- AAdvantage Gold: 40,000 Loyalty Points
- AAdvantage Platinum: 75,000 Loyalty Points
- AAdvantage Platinum Pro: 125,000 Loyalty Points
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum: 200,000 Loyalty Points
4. What Does NOT Count?
Not all miles are created equal. You do not earn Loyalty Points from:
- Buying, gifting, or transferring miles.
- Government taxes and fees on tickets.
- Welcome bonuses/Sign-up bonuses on credit cards.
- Conversion of other points (like Marriott Bonvoy) to AAdvantage miles.
5. Why Should You Care?
Earning Loyalty Points and achieving status unlocks significant travel benefits, including:
- Complimentary Upgrades to First or Business Class.
- Priority Boarding and Check-in.
- Free Checked Bags.
- Bonus Miles on future flights (making it easier to maintain status).
Summary
The American Airlines Loyalty Point system rewards total engagement with the brand. Whether you are flying across the ocean or simply buying groceries with your co-branded credit card, every mile earned is a step closer to elite status.
Would you like me to focus on a specific part of this, such as how to “hack” or maximize these points?