The third fourth highest level of the American Airlines AAdvantage program; AAdvantage Platinum status offers many benefits which help make it well worth earning. AAdvantage Platinum status offers frequent flyers a ton of great benefits which make traveling, especially internationally, much more enjoyable. Anyone who finds themselves just shy of earning Platinum status should definitely consider a last minute mileage run to earn the extra miles since AAdvantage Platinum benefits represent a significant improvement over AAdvantage Gold benefits.
How To Qualify For AAdvantage Platinum Status
AAdvantage frequent flyers earn elite status by reaching certain milestones. In the past, elite status was completely based on total miles or segments flown. This year, American introduced a minimum spending requirement which makes earning elite status a little more difficult than in years prior. To reach AAdvantage Platinum status a frequent flyer must earn a minimum of $6,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD) AND earn a minimum of 50,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQS) or 60 Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS).
Travel must be completed on American Airlines or partner airline which allows travelers to credit miles to the AAdvantage program. When traveling on American Airlines EQD is based on the total cost of the fare paid, but when traveling on partner airlines or purchasing special fares, EQD is based on the total number of miles flown.
AAdvantage Platinum Benefits
Upgrades
- AAdvantage Platinum Elites are eligible for unlimited complementary upgrades on all American flights less than 500 miles.
- Platinum Elite members must use sticker upgrades to request domestic upgrades on flights longer than 500 miles, but the upgrade window opens 48 hours prior to departure.
- A new benefit added in 2017 is that Platinum Elites are allowed to also use stickers to upgrade one travel companion if included on the same reservation.
Travel Benefits
- Complimentary access to Main Cabin Extra seats at the time of booking.
- AAcess to Priority check-in counters, priority airport security lanes, and priority boarding. AAdvantage Platinum Elite members now board with ‘Group 3’ which is ahead of passengers who gain priority boarding through a credit card or Alaska Airlines MVP members.
- 2 Free Checked Bags for each passenger included on the Platinum Elite’s reservation.
- Complimentary Same-Day Standby priority (excludes basic economy)
- Discounted Admirals Club Membership. The ‘new’ membership rate is discounted to $500 and the renewal membership rate is discounted to $450.
OneWorld Benefits
Personally, this is where I think AAdvantage Platinum Elite status is most valuable.
- Priority check-in on OneWorld partner operated flights.
- Priority boarding on OneWorld partner operated flights.
- Access to priority airport security lanes where available.
- Access to parter business class and frequent flyer airport lounges.
Earning Redeemable Miles
- Platinum Elite members earn a 60% elite mileage bonus when flying on American or a OneWorld partner airline.
Where AAdvantage Platinum Status Shines
When traveling on American Airlines operated flights the best benefit offered from AAdvantage Platinum Status is the complimentary access to Main Cabin Extra seats at the time of booking. Most importantly, this benefit includes international bookings. Often MCE seats cost $100 per person, per flight when booking without elite status. Anyone with AAdvantage Platinum Elite status can select those seats at the time of booking for themselves and anyone included on their reservation for no extra charge.
Additionally, AAdvantage Platinum Elites have access to great benefits on partner airlines offered through OneWorld Sapphire status. Most notably, Platinum elites have access to OneWorld airline partner lounges when traveling on a OneWorld partner airline (not American). I recently visited the OneWorld Lounge in the Tom Bradly International Terminal (LAX) and the British Airways Business Class lounge in London (LHR) thanks to AAdvantage Platinum status. Both lounges were far superior to traditional Admirals Club lounges found in the United States. All access was complimentary, even when traveling in economy.
Final Thoughts
American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum status is a big step of from AAdvantage Gold status. I personally most value the complimentary access to Main Cabin Extra seats at the time of booking and the benefits you gain when traveling on OneWorld partner airlines. Platinum status also represents a fairly large gap between travelers with AAdvantage Gold status which significantly improves your chances of getting upgraded on domestic flights.
