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Is American Airlines Executive Platinum Status Worth It?

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Achieving American Airlines Executive Platinum status is usually a significant milestone for frequent travelers. The status level offers a range of benefits designed to enhance the flying experience. As I ponder my travel plans for 2025, I wonder if American Airlines’ Executive Platinum status is worth the hype.

Upgraded DFW to LAX

I’ve had Executive Platinum status for the past few years, and I need to earn another 23,362 loyalty points in the next 28 days to qualify for another year of status.  I need to evaluate whether the advantages justify the effort required.

Understanding Executive Platinum Status

Executive Platinum is the highest publicly available tier in American Airlines’ AAdvantage program. To qualify, members must earn 200,000 Loyalty Points within a qualification period. This status grants access to numerous perks designed to provide a premium travel experience.

Key Benefits of Executive Platinum Status

  • Unlimited Complimentary Upgrades: Enjoy unlimited complimentary upgrades within North America, including on award tickets.

Upgrades are awesome, but they rarely happen for me. I am either flying annoyingly popular routes and number 30+ on the upgrade list, or I am flying with more than two people on my reservation. Executive Platinum members flying with one additional person can be on the upgrade list. As much as my husband and I would love to be upgraded, my kids are too young to be in Economy without a parent.   

As Platinum Pro, I will be eligible for upgrades, and instead of 30 on the upgrade list of those popular routes, I will move down to 50 – no big deal.

An entire row all to myself. Almost as good as an upgrade.
  • Complimentary Main Cabin Extra and Preferred Seats: Access to Main Cabin Extra and Preferred seats at no additional cost.

This perk has been nice, and I use it on every trip.  It’s shocking how much the airlines charge for these seats, so I am happy I get them for free.  Fortunately, I will still get this perk even if I only earn enough Loyalty Points for Platinum Pro.  

  • Mileage Bonus: Earn a 120% mileage bonus on qualifying flights, accelerating your mileage accumulation.

The bonus miles have been very nice. With Platinum Pro, I will only earn an 80% bonus. I calculated that this year, I earned 100k bonus miles, and in 2024, if my math is correct, I would have earned 64k bonus miles as Platinum Pro. I think I can live with that delta.

  • Priority Services: Benefit from priority check-in, security, and boarding, streamlining your airport experience.

I have TSA pre-check and Clear, meaning I usually quickly make it through security.

I have no issues with not being in Group 1 for boarding because the less time I spend on the plane in my economy seat, the better.

  • Additional Perks: Enjoy three free checked bags with priority handling, complimentary food and drink in the Main Cabin, and free same-day flight changes and standby priority.

I only checked a bag once in 2024, and it was for a business trip, and the company covered the fee.  I love that after so many years of traveling, I have finally mastered the art of the carry-on. 

I have enjoyed the complimentary drinks I receive for being Executive Platinum, but honestly, I should drink water. 

Again, with Platinum Pro, I will get free same-day flight changes and standby priority, so there are not many perks to gain by jumping to Executive Platinum.

All the free beverages!

Considering the Effort to Earn Loyalty Points

If I wanted to earn the additional 23,000 Loyalty Points, it would require a strategic approach:

  • Flight Activity: I have 1 flight between now and the end of the earnings period, and I would earn ~3k loyalty points from that flight.
  • Credit Card Spending: I do have an American Airlines co-branded credit card, but I would only earn 1 loyalty point per dollar
  • Promotions and Partners: If I wanted to pay for a hotel or rental car, I could earn loyalty points by booking through American Airlines (https://www.aadvantagehotels.com/) , but I prefer to use points for my hotel stays, and I don’t need a hotel in the next month.
  • AAshopping Portal: If I really wanted to get to Executive Platinum, I would search for valuable offers on the AAshopping Portal.  I would only need a few offers similar to the Blue Apron and Factor promotions, and Executive Platinum would be secured for another year.

Is Pursuing Executive Platinum Status Worth It?

I don’t see many distinguishable benefits between Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum. Although earning the loyalty points needed would be somewhat easy, the effort does not seem worth it. 

I never thought I would travel enough to earn American Airlines Executive Platinum status.  I am glad I had the opportunity to travel and experience the benefits of the status.  I am confident that Platinum Pro is completely sufficient for me and my travel plans in 2025.

Would you earn the points or stick with Platinum Pro?

Update: American Airlines really values their Executive Platinum status. I received an offer in my email to pay in cash or points to maintain my status.

The employee at American Airlines who did the math or made the algorithm that would generate my offer is crazy. This offer is absolutely ridiculous and I am even more confident in my choice to remain at Platinum Pro.

Thanks for reading, friends. Happy travels!

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