American Airlines overhauls its rewards program

American Airlines is joining the likes of JetBlue and revamping its AAdvantage rewards program. 

The airline announced the updates just nine months after it announced its major overhaul. Now there will be a new rewards structure called Loyalty Point Rewards and it will come with new rewards tiers and expanded benefits. Though the airline is adding new benefits to the current thresholds, it is also adjusting the elite thresholds and how people earn miles. 

What to expect starting March 1st, 2023:

• American is adding 11 additional rewards tiers, bringing the total tiers to 15 

• Travelers will be able to receive perks before, during, and after earning elite status

• Each tier has its own set of benefits with the lowest tier starting at 15,000 loyalty points and the highest being 5 million points. 

• Rewards thresholds are also changing. Platinum Pro members will need to earn 175,000 points now versus the 125,000 they were required to achieve the status. Executive members will now need 250,000 points instead of the current 200,000 required.

• Basic economy is also being affected. The discounted fares will now earn fewer miles and points with only two miles earned per dollar spent. 

• American will also be eliminating its static awards and only allow Web Special fares which offer dynamically priced redemptions based on things like demand and seasonality.

To see the full list of changes and rewards tiers, read more here.