Do you dream of cruising through airport security with ease, enjoying complimentary upgrades, and relishing priority boarding? If so, then mastering the art of earning American Airlines Loyalty Points is your ticket to unlocking a world of enhanced travel experiences! American Airlines has revolutionized its AAdvantage program, shifting the focus entirely to Loyalty Points for elite status qualification. This means every eligible mile you earn from various activities translates directly into a Loyalty Point, bringing you closer to coveted perks.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of maximizing your Loyalty Point earnings, transforming you from an occasional flyer into a savvy loyalty point accumulator.
Step 1: Are You Ready to Unlock Elite Status? – Join AAdvantage Today!
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of earning, ask yourself: Are you already an AAdvantage member? If not, this is your crucial first step! The AAdvantage program is American Airlines' loyalty program, and it's absolutely free to join. Without an AAdvantage account, none of your flights or purchases will earn you the valuable Loyalty Points needed for status.
How to Join: Simply visit the American Airlines website (aa.com) and look for the "Join" or "AAdvantage" link. The sign-up process is quick and straightforward, requiring basic personal information. Make sure the information you provide matches your government-issued ID to avoid any issues down the line.
Once you're a member, you're ready to start accumulating those precious Loyalty Points! Remember, the qualification year for American Airlines AAdvantage status runs from March 1st through the end of February of the following year. This means you have a full 12 months to earn the required Loyalty Points.
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| How To Get More Loyalty Points American Airlines |
Step 2: Flying High on Loyalty – Earning Points Through Flights
Flying is, naturally, a primary way to earn Loyalty Points. However, the old adage of "a mile flown is a mile earned" is largely a thing of the past. American Airlines now bases your Loyalty Point earnings on the cost of your ticket (excluding taxes and government fees) when flying on American Airlines, American Eagle, and most oneworld® and other partner airlines.
Sub-heading: Direct American Airlines Flights
When you book directly with American Airlines, your earnings are quite clear:
General AAdvantage Member: You'll earn 5 Loyalty Points for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines airfare.
Elite Status Members: This is where the earning really accelerates! If you already have AAdvantage elite status, you'll earn even more:
AAdvantage Gold: 7 Loyalty Points per $1
AAdvantage Platinum: 8 Loyalty Points per $1
AAdvantage Platinum Pro: 9 Loyalty Points per $1
AAdvantage Executive Platinum: 11 Loyalty Points per $1
Important Note on Basic Economy: Be aware that basic economy tickets issued on or after January 1, 2023, for travel on or after March 1, 2023, will only earn 2 miles (and thus 2 Loyalty Points) per dollar spent. This is a significant reduction, so factor it into your booking decisions if elite status is a priority.
Sub-heading: Flying with Partner Airlines
You also earn Loyalty Points when flying on oneworld® alliance and other partner airlines. The earning rates for partner flights can vary, often based on the flight distance and fare class, rather than the dollar spent. Generally, you'll earn 1 Loyalty Point for every AAdvantage mile earned from these partner flights.
Tip for Max Earning: While flying American Airlines directly on higher-fare tickets is the most straightforward way to accumulate Loyalty Points, sometimes inexpensive long-haul premium cabin travel on certain partners (like Finnair, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas, excluding British Airways and Iberia which now credit based on ticket price) can provide a good Loyalty Point return for your spend, as many premium economy fare classes earn 100% of the flight distance in base miles. Always check the specific earning charts for the partner airline before booking to understand the Loyalty Point accrual.
Step 3: Plastic Power – Supercharging Loyalty Points with Credit Cards
This is arguably one of the easiest and most consistent ways to earn a substantial amount of Loyalty Points without even stepping on a plane. American Airlines offers a suite of co-branded credit cards through Citi and Barclays, and nearly all eligible AAdvantage miles earned from purchases on these cards convert directly into Loyalty Points at a 1:1 ratio.
Tip: Patience makes reading smoother.
Sub-heading: American Airlines Co-Branded Credit Cards
General Rule: For most American Airlines co-branded credit cards, you'll earn 1 Loyalty Point for every $1 spent on purchases. This includes spending in bonus categories, making these cards incredibly valuable for boosting your Loyalty Point count.
Card-Specific Bonuses: Some cards offer additional Loyalty Point bonuses based on your annual spending.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: This premium card offers 10,000 additional Loyalty Points after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year, and another 10,000 Loyalty Points after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points in the same year. This can be a huge boost for those aiming for higher elite tiers.
AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Silver Mastercard® (Note: This card may no longer be accepting new applications): Historically, this card has offered up to 15,000 additional Loyalty Points for significant spending, with tiers like 5,000 LP after $20,000 in net purchases, another 5,000 LP after $40,000 total, and a final 5,000 LP after $50,000 total.
Strategy Tip: If you're serious about earning elite status, putting all your everyday spending on an AAdvantage co-branded credit card is a game-changer. Even if you're not a frequent flyer, consistent credit card spending can easily get you to Gold or even Platinum status.
Step 4: Shopping Smart & Dining Delights – Earning Points Beyond Travel
American Airlines offers numerous partnerships that allow you to earn Loyalty Points on your everyday spending, turning mundane tasks into loyalty-building opportunities.
Sub-heading: AAdvantage eShopping Portal
The AAdvantage eShopping portal is a fantastic way to earn Loyalty Points for your online purchases. Think of it as a virtual mall where you start your shopping journey.
How it Works:
Visit the AAdvantage eShopping website.
Log in with your AAdvantage account.
Search for your desired retailer.
Click through the portal to the retailer's website.
Make your purchase as usual.
You'll earn a specified number of AAdvantage miles per dollar spent (e.g., 2 miles/$1, 5 miles/$1), and each of these base miles also counts as 1 Loyalty Point.
Maximizing Earnings: Keep an eye out for bonus promotions on the portal, especially during holidays or special events, where you can earn elevated mileage rates. Stacking these with a good rewards credit card can lead to serious Loyalty Point accumulation.
Sub-heading: AAdvantage Dining Program
Who doesn't love to eat? With AAdvantage Dining, you can earn Loyalty Points while enjoying meals at thousands of participating restaurants.
How it Works:
Sign up for AAdvantage Dining and link your credit/debit cards.
Dine at a participating restaurant (or order takeout/delivery).
Pay with your linked card.
You'll earn AAdvantage miles per dollar spent (e.g., 1 mile/$1, 3 miles/$1 if you elect to receive email communications, or 5 miles/$1 for VIP status after 11 transactions), and these miles count as Loyalty Points.
Tip for Quick Points: You can often earn miles by simply grabbing a coffee or a small item at a participating location. These small transactions add up!
Sub-heading: SimplyMiles™
SimplyMiles is another card-linked offer program, but it's specifically for Mastercard users.
How it Works:
Enroll in SimplyMiles and link your Mastercard(s).
Activate personalized offers from various merchants.
Make a qualifying purchase with your linked Mastercard.
You'll earn AAdvantage miles, and these base miles also count as Loyalty Points.
Stacking Opportunity: One of the best aspects of SimplyMiles is that you can often stack it with AAdvantage eShopping portal purchases, earning miles from both programs on a single transaction! This is a powerful strategy for maximizing your Loyalty Point haul.
Step 5: Travel Beyond Flights – Hotels, Car Rentals, and Vacations
Your travel doesn't stop at the airport! American Airlines partners with various hotel and car rental companies, and offers its own vacation packages, all of which can contribute to your Loyalty Point balance.
Sub-heading: AAdvantage Hotels & Hotel Partners
Tip: Look for small cues in wording.
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AAdvantage Hotels: American Airlines has its own hotel booking platform where you can earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points for your stays. The earning rate varies.
Direct Hotel Partner Bookings: You can also earn Loyalty Points by crediting stays with certain hotel partners directly to your AAdvantage account.
World of Hyatt: Earn 500 Loyalty Points per eligible stay.
Marriott Bonvoy and IHG One Rewards: Earn up to 2 Loyalty Points per dollar spent on qualifying charges.
Sub-heading: Car Rentals
Renting a car through American Airlines' partners can also add to your Loyalty Point total.
Avis and Budget: Earn 2 to 5 base miles and Loyalty Points per dollar spent, depending on your AAdvantage status and whether you book through AAdvantage Cars.
Alamo, Dollar, National, and Thrifty: Earn 50 base miles and Loyalty Points per rental day on qualifying paid rentals.
Sub-heading: American Airlines Vacations and Cruises
Booking a complete vacation package or a cruise through American Airlines can be a significant Loyalty Point earner.
American Airlines Vacations: You'll earn miles and Loyalty Points based on the total package value (excluding taxes, fees, and mileage redemption). Each eligible traveler with their AAdvantage number in the booking earns their portion. You'll generally earn 1,000 base miles and Loyalty Points with each booking.
AAdvantage Cruises: You can earn 1 mile (and 1 Loyalty Point) per $1 spent when booking a cruise through AAdvantage Cruises.
Step 6: Beyond the Usual – Other Creative Loyalty Point Strategies
Beyond the core methods, there are a few other less common, but still effective, ways to accrue Loyalty Points.
Sub-heading: Bask Bank
Bask Bank offers a unique way to earn AAdvantage miles (and therefore Loyalty Points) instead of interest on a savings account.
How it Works: You open a Mileage Savings Account with Bask Bank, and instead of traditional interest, you earn AAdvantage miles. For every $1 you save annually, you can earn a certain number of miles. These miles convert to Loyalty Points.
Sub-heading: Miles of Opinions Surveys
If you have some free time, taking surveys can earn you AAdvantage miles.
How it Works: Enroll in Miles of Opinions using your AAdvantage account and complete surveys. The miles earned through these surveys will count as Loyalty Points.
Step 7: Monitor and Strategize – Keep Track of Your Progress
Earning Loyalty Points effectively isn't just about accumulating them; it's also about strategic planning and monitoring.
Tip: Keep scrolling — each part adds context.
Sub-heading: Check Your AAdvantage Account Regularly
Loyalty Point Tracker: American Airlines provides a Loyalty Point tracker in your AAdvantage account, allowing you to see your progress toward elite status. This is crucial for understanding how close you are to the next tier and where you might need to focus your efforts.
Earning History: Review your earning history to ensure all eligible activities have posted correctly. It can take some time for points from partners to appear in your account, so be patient but vigilant.
Sub-heading: Leverage Loyalty Point Rewards
As you earn Loyalty Points, American Airlines also offers Loyalty Point Rewards at various thresholds before you even reach elite status. These rewards can include additional Loyalty Points, Preferred Seat coupons, trip credits, and even status with hotel partners.
Example: At 15,000 Loyalty Points, you can choose rewards like 1,000 Loyalty Points, Group 4 boarding for a trip, or Preferred Seat coupons. These small boosts can help push you over the edge to the next status level.
By actively tracking your progress and strategically utilizing these earning methods, you'll be well on your way to enjoying the enhanced travel experience that comes with American Airlines AAdvantage elite status!
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to calculate how many Loyalty Points I will earn on a flight?
The number of Loyalty Points you earn on American Airlines flights is generally based on the base fare of your ticket (excluding taxes and government fees). General members earn 5 Loyalty Points per dollar, with elite members earning more (Gold 7x, Platinum 8x, Platinum Pro 9x, Executive Platinum 11x). For partner airlines, it's typically 1 Loyalty Point per eligible AAdvantage mile earned, which can vary by fare class and distance.
How to ensure my credit card spending earns Loyalty Points?
To ensure your credit card spending earns Loyalty Points, you must use an eligible American Airlines co-branded credit card (Citi/AAdvantage or Barclays Aviator). Generally, 1 eligible AAdvantage mile earned from purchases on these cards translates to 1 Loyalty Point. Welcome offers and bonus category miles usually count.
How to link my credit card for AAdvantage Dining and SimplyMiles?
For AAdvantage Dining, visit the AAdvantage Dining website, log in with your AAdvantage account, and register your credit/debit cards. For SimplyMiles, enroll on the SimplyMiles website, link your Mastercard(s), and activate the offers you wish to use.
Tip: Slow down at important lists or bullet points.
How to find participating retailers for AAdvantage eShopping?
Visit the AAdvantage eShopping portal (aadvantageeshopping.com), log in with your AAdvantage account, and you can browse or search for participating retailers and their current earning rates.
How to earn Loyalty Points from hotel stays without booking through AA Vacations?
You can earn Loyalty Points from hotel stays by crediting World of Hyatt stays (500 LP per stay) or Marriott Bonvoy/IHG One Rewards stays (up to 2 LP per dollar) directly to your AAdvantage account. Additionally, booking through AAdvantage Hotels can earn Loyalty Points.
How to know my current Loyalty Point balance and progress towards status?
Log in to your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website (aa.com). You'll typically find a Loyalty Point tracker or status progress bar that shows your current balance and how close you are to the next elite status tier.
How to stack Loyalty Point earning opportunities?
You can stack earning opportunities by combining AAdvantage eShopping with SimplyMiles (if you have a Mastercard). For instance, click through the eShopping portal for an online purchase, then ensure that retailer also has an activated SimplyMiles offer on your linked Mastercard. This allows you to earn miles/Loyalty Points from both programs on a single transaction.
How to maintain my current AAdvantage elite status?
To maintain your current AAdvantage elite status, you need to earn the required number of Loyalty Points for that specific tier within the qualification year (March 1st to the end of February). For example, Gold requires 40,000 Loyalty Points.
How to redeem Loyalty Points?
Loyalty Points are not redeemable in the same way AAdvantage miles are. Instead, Loyalty Points are the metric used solely to determine your AAdvantage elite status level and unlock Loyalty Point Rewards. You redeem AAdvantage miles for flights, upgrades, and other travel benefits.
How to get more Loyalty Points if I'm close to a status tier at the end of the qualification year?
If you're close to a status tier near the end of the qualification year (February), focus on quick-posting Loyalty Point activities. This could include spending on an American Airlines co-branded credit card, making online purchases through the AAdvantage eShopping portal, or dining with AAdvantage Dining. Mileage runs (booking quick flights) can also be an option if time allows and the fare is favorable for Loyalty Point earning.
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