Legacy carriers in the United States, such as American Airlines, have gradually grown their loyalty programs into advanced, complex, and multifaceted systems that not only generate a significant portion of the company's revenue but also offer extra benefits and perks to an airline's most loyal fliers.
The American Airlines AAdvantage Loyalty Program offers one of the most elaborate elite status schemes on the market today, one which rewards frequent fliers and other high-spenders for their continued loyalty to the carrier.
As the vast majority of a legacy airline's revenue comes from high-volume business travelers, there are many situations in which ensuring that this group of passengers remains loyal by offering them some unique benefits can be an excellent option.
Consistently, passengers are given free upgrades, lounge access, no fees, and other perks when they have reached an amount of spending or completed several flights that allow them to earn elite status.
One of the most popular status tiers of the American Airlines AAdvantage Loyalty Program is the entry-level tier, AAdvantage Gold.
Those who have AAdvantage gold will receive dozens of different benefits, and they will undoubtedly be able to elevate their travel experience in a significant manner.
In this article, we will take a deeper look at American Airlines AAdvantage Gold Status and evaluate all the benefits that come along with it.
A deeper look at AAdvantage Gold Elite Status
When it comes to air travel and airline loyalty programs, there are some benefits to not committing to one airline over and over again.
For starters, one can use the extensive flexibility to their advantage, as not all airlines fly nonstop to all destinations.
However, there are some advantages of sticking with one airline loyalty program as well, such as receiving free upgrades, free checked bags, and preferential treatment at the airport.
For those willing to stick with American Airlines, there is a lot on the table, especially if you know how to get and capitalize on the available perks. For starters, the American Airlines AAdvantage program has four different elite status tiers, and they are as follows:
- AAdvantage Gold
- AAdvantage Platinum
- AAdvantage Platinum Pro
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum
While each tier has progressively more flashy perks than the tiers that come below it, AAdvantage Gold is where it all starts, especially for those looking to earn airline elite status for the first time.
It is important to note that AAdvantage status must be earned each year for it to be maintained, with a few unique exceptions.
A deeper look at how to qualify for AAdvantage Gold status
American Airlines has recently simplified how one qualifies for elite status in the AAdvantage program. Now, Loyalty Points are the only metric for qualifications, and there is no limit to the amount of these points that you can earn.
AAdvantage Gold status is the first tier of this program, and one is awarded it once they receive 40,000 loyalty points.
These points must be earned during a 12-month earning period that starts on March 1st and ends on February 28th (or 29th during leap years).
Earning loyalty points is actually not all that hard to do. One can earn loyalty points by flying with American Airlines or any of its partner carriers, including those in the oneworld alliance and other partner airlines that do not have oneworld membership.
One can also earn these points by spending on an AAdvantage credit card. One can further earn these points by shopping and dining with American Airlines partners.
Therefore, there are multiple ways to earn the loyalty points needed to get you to elite status, but flying will still be the easiest way for you to rack up these points.
There is no shortage of ways for one to earn these loyalty points, and any passenger willing to put in the effort can ultimately be rewarded with elite status.
A deeper look at the benefits that come along with AAdvantage Gold status
The AAdvantage Gold status tier comes along with a long list of benefits, most of which will help somewhat improve your inflight experience.
It is important to understand that many of the flashiest benefits, however, will be reserved for the higher tiers of the program, which are essentially designed to reward big-time spenders.
The first thing to note is that AAdvantage Gold members have a reward mile-earning bonus, one which allows them to rack up frequent flyer miles faster than many of their peers.
While standard AAdvantage members will earn five AAdvantage miles per $1 spent on each flight, those who have AAdvantage Gold status will be able to earn seven miles per $1 spent on each flight.
This benefit falls in line with similar benefits offered to the entry-level elite-status members of other airlines, including Delta and United.
One other important thing that American Airlines AAdvantage members are offered is free seat selection on all flights, including the preferred seats, according to NerdWallet.
Typically, American Airlines will charge more for the seats at the front of the aircraft, or those which have additional legroom because they are in an exit row or something like that.
Furthermore, they will also label some seats in the rear of the cabin as these "preferred" seats, typically if they are aisle or window seats.
Fortunately, AAdvantage Gold members will have no issue with fees attached to booking these preserved seats, as all those with this elite status will be able to book them on their own.
AAdvantage Gold members will also be given status within the Oneworld alliance, and this is typically cited as one of the largest benefits that this level of elite status can bring along.
AAdvantage Gold members will qualify for Oneworld Ruby status, which gives passengers access to business-class priority check-in lanes, preferred seating on most flights and a higher position on priority wait lists and standby lists.
Another major benefit that comes along with AAdvantage Gold status is priority boarding. American Airlines AAdvantage Gold members will be eligible to board in Boarding Group 4, which allows passengers to get on the aircraft sooner and make sure that their carry-ons are located nearby.
Passengers can also access priority check-in and security lanes at the airport, all factors which help ensure a quick airport experience.
Passengers flying with AAdvantage Gold status will also not be subjected to large amounts of baggage fees.
For starters, each passenger flying with AAdvantage Gold status will be eligible to receive a free checked bag, and so will companions traveling with them.
Some additional benefits brought along by AAdvantage Gold status
American Airlines AAdvantage Gold members will also have access to same-day standby priority, alongside eight different travel companions.
Passengers will have standby access for another flight from 24 hours prior to the departure time at no additional cost.
Passengers will also be offered unlimited complimentary upgrades, including single-class cabin upgrades on American-operated domestic routes, including those to Hawaii.
Passengers will also be eligible for upgrades on flights to destinations across North America, according to the airline's website.
Complimentary upgrades are also available to AAdvantage Gold passengers who are flying on an award ticket (one that has been booked with AAdvantage miles.
Interestingly, passengers with AAdvantage Gold status will also be eligible for free upgrades on Alaska Airlines-operated flights.
This is a function of American's longstanding partnership with Alaska Airlines, which stems from the fact that the two carriers are both members of the global Oneworld alliance.
These free upgrades are one of the principal reasons why many might choose to seek out elite status, as they can significantly improve one's inflight experience. On transcontinental flights, where first-class cabins feature lie-flat seats, this can be incredibly valuable.
