The year is almost over, travel is still affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Even tho, many countries opened up their borders again for foreigners, the uncertainty lets most people rather stay in their home country. National air travel is on the rise and even hit pre-pandemic levels this summer. But the year is almost over and we all want to keep status with the airlines we frequently fly and worked so hard for to achieve it. Earlier this year, Delta Airlines announced that it will extend status for another year. Delta was the first airline to announce a status extension in 2020 and is also the first one to announce the next status extension in 2021. But what about American Airlines?
I am fly American Airlines a lot and I am loyal to the airline. Overall they always provided me with great service and I can’t complain about the airline at all. A couple of years back, when I first achieved Executive Platinum Status with American, I was so happy. Ever since I have been an ExecPlat. In 2020, American Airlines announced that it will extend the current status for everyone until January 2022.
It is August now and so far American hasn’t announced another status extension, unlike Delta Airlines. Will they follow suit? We don’t know, we can only hope.
So what can you do in 2021 to earn status or extend your status until January 2023?
So far there are three ways to extend or earn status for 2022. There might be some other promotions later this year or American will extend status without any requirements. Of course, this will drive you crazy in certain situations, when you worked hard to extend it with the currently available promotions. Let’s see what happens.
This post will be updated until the end of the year 2021.
Let’s go over the current available options.
Regular Status Qualification
Of course, you can extend your status by qualifying for it as you normally would. As American changed to a revenue-based rewards program this means you have to earn Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD), Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) or instead Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS). Elite Qualifying Dollars are a must and then you have the choice be either fly enough miles (EQM) or segments (EQS) to requalify for status in 2022.
American has lowered the requirements across EQD, EQM and EQS to qualify for status.
| Qualification | Executive Platinum oneworld® Emerald |
Platinum Pro oneworld® Emerald |
Platinum oneworld® Sapphire |
Gold oneworld® Ruby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQMs | 80,000 | 60,000 | 40,000 | 20,000 |
| EQSs | 95 | 70 | 45 | 20 |
| EQDs | $12,000 | $7,000 | $4,500 | $2,000 |
For most of us, who want to achieve status we will go by EQMs and EQDs. It’s just easier than with qualifying segments.
In 2019 the qualification table looked like this below:
| Qualification | Executive Platinum oneworld® Emerald |
Platinum Pro oneworld® Emerald |
Platinum oneworld® Sapphire |
Gold oneworld® Ruby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQMs | 100,000 | 75,000 | 50,000 | 25,000 |
| EQSs | 120 | 90 | 60 | 30 |
| EQDs | $15,000 | $9,000 | $6,000 | $3,000 |
EQD Waiver
If you hold one of the Citi AAdvantage credit cards, you can qualify for an EQD waiver. For that you have to spend $30.000 on your Citi AAdvantage credit card.
I think if you rack up enough EQMs and EQSs, you most likely will hit your required spend anyway. If you have an American Airlines credit card, you have another option to extend your status.
EQD Waiver Terms and Conditions
Credit Card Spend
If you hold any of the American Airlines credit cards, you can extend your status another year. It doesn’t matter if you have a Citi AAdvantage credit card or the Barclay Aviator card or any other international American Airlines credit card. You need to spend $15.000 on one or multiple of your American Airlines credit cards by November 15, 2021 to extend your status.
Those retaining Executive Platinum or Platinum Pro status through this promotion will not be eligible for 2022 elite choice rewards unless the member meets the 2021 elite qualification requirements for Executive Platinum or Platinum Pro (see above).
Credit Card Spend Terms and Conditions
Requalify by Flying and Spending Promo
A new promotion will start on September 1st, 2021. If you earn $2000 EQDs by December 31, 2021 by flying on American Airlines or their partners, which also include JetBlue and Alaska Airlines, you will retain your current elite status held as of January 1st, 2021. Temporary held elite status are not valid for this promotion. You are, however, eligible for this promotion if American Airlines extended your elite status last year for 2021. In that case you don’t have to worry. Other promotions and bonuses which earn EQDs, that do not explicitly mention that it is compatilby with this promotion, will not count towards the $2000 required spend. In short, you have to buy airline tickets for flights on American and it’s partners. Remember, this means you will have to actually spend more than $2000 as only the base fare counts towards EQD. Taxes and fees on your ticket don’t count towards the required spend.
Those retaining Executive Platinum or Platinum Pro status through this promotion will not be eligible for 2022 elite choice rewards unless the member meets the 2021 elite qualification requirements for Executive Platinum or Platinum Pro.
Requalify by Flying Terms and Conditions
Status Boosters
American also added a bunch of status boosters. Many of them are about to expire but I am sure they will add new ones for the rest of the year.
Sign up for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
This is a limited time offer and we don’t know when this promotion expires. It’s still valid as of writing this post. With this card you will earn 50.000 bonus points and 10.000 EQM as well after you spend $5.000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. The card comes with a hefty price tag of an annual fee of $450. On the other side you will also get an complimentary Admirals Club membership.
Buy EQMs
If you are short some EQMs to requalify for your status, American gives you the option to buy some. You have to register for this promotion and make a $495 payment by August 31, 2021. Time is almost up for this.
Depending on your current status you will earn different amounts of EQMs for the same prize. This promotion will also earn you $495 EQDs but doesn’t count for the above mentioned status extension by spending $2.000 EQDs between September and December of 2021. You can use an American Airlines credit card to qualify for the EQDs waiver or for the status extension by spending $15.000. This promotion will count towards that.
- Executive Platinum / ConciergeKey℠ – For $495, get 10,000 EQMs
- Platinum Pro – For $495, get 7,500 EQMs
- Platinum – For $495, get 5,000 EQMs
- Gold – For $495, get 2,500 EQMs
Terms and Conditions
Promotion code: EB21E
To be eligible for this limited-time offer, AAdvantage® members must have received this offer directly from American Airlines
Eligible members must register for the promotion and submit payment between June 3 – August 31, 2021
Limit 1 transaction per member
Offer is in U.S. dollars, is non-refundable and may not be transferred
Purchase amount includes applicable taxes and is subject to change
Purchase processed directly by American Airlines
10,000 EQMs and 495 EQDs will be deposited in your account within 24 hours of submitting payment
Your offer is based off your elite status as of May 25, 2021
Bonus elite-qualifying currency earned through this promotion does not apply to qualifying for elite status as part of a challenge or promotional offer or for AAdvantage® Million Miler℠ status
American may, at any time and without notice, change, stop or end this promotion in part or in full
Earn additional EQM by flying
The registration period for this promotion ended on August 17, 2021 but you have until August 31, 2021 to fly. Depending on your current status you will earn additional EQMs for every segment you fly. Segments can be on the same itinerary. This promotions runs for up to 10 segments on which you will earn additional EQMs.
- Executive Platinum / ConciergeKey℠ – 1,000 EQMs per segment, up to 10,000 EQMs
- Platinum Pro – 750 EQMs per segment, up to 7,500 EQMs
- Platinum – 500 EQMs per segment, up to 5,000 EQMs
- Gold – 250 EQMs per segment, up to 2,500 EQMs
Terms and Conditions
Promotion code: EF21E
You must register by 11:59 p.m. CT on August 17, 2021, in order for your activity to count toward this promotion
Flights flown before registering for this promotion are not eligible
Flights marketed and operated by American Airlines and our elite qualifying partner airlines are eligible for this promotion
Flights that don’t earn AAdvantage® miles won’t count toward this promotion
Offer applies to eligible purchased, published fares flown between the date you register and August 31, 2021
You will earn 1,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) for each eligible segment up to 10 segments once it posts to your account
Your offer is based off your elite status as of May 25, 2021
Bonus elite-qualifying currency earned through this promotion does not apply to qualifying for elite status as part of a challenge or promotional offer or for AAdvantage® Million Miler℠ status
Basic Economy fares are not eligible for this promotion
American may, at any time and without notice, change, stop or end this promotion in part or in full
Peter has a passion for Traveling, Photography, and Geocaching. These are the best ingredients for amazing adventures all over the globe. “Traveling is fun, no matter if you stay in a luxury hotel or travel like a backpacker.” Peter shares his experiences on his Blog www.gatetoadventures.com
Some of Peter’s photos are published on corporate websites, in-flight magazines, travel guides, and much more.
