Everything you Need to Know About American Airlines’ Loyalty Program

If you are a frequent flyer with American Airlines, you might want to join their loyalty program and enjoy the benefits of earning and redeeming miles, getting upgrades, airport privileges and more. But what is the name of their loyalty program and how can you opt to it? Here is everything you need to know.

AAdvantage: The Name of the Loyalty Program

The loyalty program of American Airlines is called AAdvantage. It is one of the industry’s original loyalty programs and remains the largest with millions of members. You can then use your miles for flights, upgrades, vacations, car rentals, hotels and other retail products.

Loyalty Points: The New Way to Earn Status

Starting from 2022, AAdvantage has introduced a new way to earn status: Loyalty Points. Loyalty Points are different from miles. Miles are still used for redeeming rewards, but Loyalty Points are used for qualifying for elite status levels. You can earn Loyalty Points whenever you fly, use an AAdvantage credit card for purchases, or earn eligible miles with AAdvantage partners. The more Loyalty Points you earn, the higher your status level and the more benefits you enjoy.

How to Opt to AAdvantage

Opting to AAdvantage is easy and free. You just need to visit the AAdvantage website and click on “Join now”. You will need to provide some basic information such as your name, email address, phone number and country of residence. Plus, also create password to safeguard your account. Once you complete the registration process, you will receive your AAdvantage number and be able to access your account online or via the mobile app.

How to Earn Miles and Loyalty Points

There are many ways to earn miles and Loyalty Points with AAdvantage:

• Fly with American Airlines or partner airlines. You will earn miles based on the distance and fare class of your flight, as well as Loyalty Points based on the cost of your ticket. You can also request missing flight miles if you forget to enter your AAdvantage number when booking or checking in.
• Use an AAdvantage credit card. You will earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage mile earned from purchases using your U.S. or internationally-issued AAdvantage credit card. You will also earn bonus miles depending on the type of card you have and the amount of spending you do.
• Engage with AAdvantage partners.  You can also earn Loyalty Points with some partners such as AAdvantage eShopping SM, AAdvantage Dining SM, SimplyMiles & more. You can request missing partner miles if they do not appear in your account within a certain period of time.

 

How to Redeem Miles and Enjoy Status Benefits

• Flight awards. You can also use your miles for upgrades or reserve seats with miles.
• Hotel awards. You can use your miles for hotel stays at thousands of properties worldwide.
• Car awards. You can use your miles for car rentals at hundreds of locations worldwide.
• Vacation packages. You can use your miles for vacation packages that include flights, hotels and car rentals.
• Other retail products. You can use your miles for other products such as gift cards, magazines, donations and more.

You can also enjoy the perks of elite status such as:

• Bonus miles. You will earn more miles per dollar spent on flights depending on your status level.
• Upgrades. You will have access to complimentary or discounted upgrades on eligible flights depending on your status level.
• Airport privileges. You will have access to priority check-in, boarding, security and baggage delivery depending on your status level. You will also have access to Admirals Club lounges or partner lounges depending on your status level and itinerary.
• Other benefits. You will have access to other benefits such as waived fees, preferred seats, standby priority and more depending on your status level.

Conclusion

AAdvantage is the loyalty program of American Airlines that allows you to earn and redeem miles, as well as enjoy elite status benefits. You can opt to AAdvantage for free by joining online or via the mobile app. You can earn miles and Loyalty Points by flying, using an AAdvantage credit card or engaging with partners. You can redeem your miles for flights, upgrades, vacations, car rentals, hotels and other products. You can also enjoy the perks of elite status such as bonus miles, upgrades, airport privileges and more.

If you are looking for a loyalty program that rewards you for your travel and spending, AAdvantage might be the one for you. Join today and start earning and enjoying your rewards.

FAQs

How do I join AAdvantage?

You can join AAdvantage for free by visiting the AAdvantage website and clicking on “Join now”. You will need to provide some basic information such as your name, email address, phone number and country of residence. Once you complete the registration process, you will receive your AAdvantage number and be able to access your account online or via the mobile app.

How do I earn Loyalty Points and what are they for?

You can earn Loyalty Points whenever you fly with American Airlines. Loyalty Points are used for qualifying for elite status levels. The more Loyalty Points you earn, the higher your status level and the more benefits you enjoy.

How do I redeem my miles for rewards?

You can redeem your miles for a variety of rewards such as flights, upgrades, vacations, car rentals, hotels and other products. You can book your award travel online or by calling the AAdvantage Reservations Desk. You can also use your miles to reserve seats with miles or pay for an Admirals Club membership.

How do I request missing miles?

If you forget to enter your AAdvantage number when booking or checking in for a flight, or if you do not see your miles credited to your account within a certain period of time, you can request missing miles online or by contacting the AAdvantage Customer Service Center. You will need to provide some information such as your ticket number, flight number and date of travel.

How do I upgrade my flight with miles or systemwide upgrades?

You can use your miles or systemwide upgrades to enjoy a higher cabin of service on eligible flights. You can request an upgrade online, by phone or at the airport. You can also check the upgrade availability and standby list online or via the mobile app. Your upgrade request will be prioritized based on your status level, type of upgrade and booking class.