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Updated: American confirms that only elites who earn status in 2021 (and in subsequent years) will have access to Elite Choice Rewards
In the middle of October American Airlines announced a series of changes to the AAdvantage program with a view to keeping its elite flyers happy. Among other things, the changes announced included the introduction of new rewards for flyers who earn AAdvantage Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro status but further details surrounding these rewards weren’t forthcoming. Now, American has told us more and there’s some very good news for Platinum Pro elites.
Big News For Platinum Pro Elites
From early 2021 (no specific date has been given), Platinum Pro members will receive oneworld Emerald status with the oneworld Alliance, which will allow them to enjoy access to first class lounges around the world, first class priority check-in, fast track at select security lanes, higher priority for waitlists and standby, priority boarding and priority baggage handling when traveling on American’s oneworld partner airlines.
Executive & Platinum Pro Elite Choice Rewards
Upon qualifying for Platinum Pro or Executive Platinum status in 2021, AAdvantage members will receive an email with an invitation to select their reward(s) from two new menus that American Airlines has now unveiled. This is what the choices look like:
Platinum Pro
Members can choose one of the following options:
- One systemwide upgrade
- 20,000 bonus AAdvantage Miles (25,000 for AAdvantage credit card holders)
- One-time 15% discount off an award booking
- Carbon emissions offset
- A $200 donation to one of ten charities
- Six Admirals Club 1-day passes
- $200 American Airlines travel voucher
Executive Platinum
Members can choose two of the following options:
- Two systemwide upgrade
- 25,000 bonus AAdvantage Miles (30,000 for AAdvantage credit card holders)
- Carbon emissions offset
- A $200 donation to one of ten charities
- Gift Gold status to another member
- $200 American Airlines travel voucher
- Individual Admirals Club membership (requires two choices to be used)
- A choice of Bang & Olufsen products
Executive Platinum members will be able to choose the same option twice so they can still have 4 systemwide upgrades as part of their benefits package if that’s what works for them.
Note: American has confirmed that only elites who earn status in 2021 (and in subsequent years) will have access to Elite Choice Rewards. If you had EXP or Plat Pro status extended through January 2022, you will not be offered Elite Choice Rewards unless you meet the qualification requirements in 2021
Bottom Line
American Airlines has announced that flyers who earn Platinum Pro status in 2021 will be awarded oneworld Emerald status (top-tier status) from early next year. In addition, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum Elites now have new Elite Choice Rewards which sees them offered a choice of one or two benefits that can be selected from a menu of benefits that are unique to each status level.
What do you think of these new benefits and, assuming you earn Platinum Pro or Executive Platinum status, which benefit(s) will you choose?
Hey!! Where’s the love for Platinum flyers. Your title says “Platinum & Platinum Pro Elites”. Nothing here for us lowly Platinum people.
Ooops! Sorry for the typo (now corrected) and false hope. Us lowly Platinums aren’t realy valued by AA so the lack of improvements to our benefits isn’t a surprise.
[…] interesting here is that this news follows an earlier announcement from American Airlines in which it confirmed that holders of its Platinum Pro elite status (which, like Alaska’s MVP […]
What about if I’m already Platinum Pro (thru Jan 31st, 2022)?
Will I get to choose from these new perks next year?
Or, do I have to *newly earn* Plat Pro status in calendar year 2021?
That’s a very good question and one to which I haven’t seen an answer. I suspect that AA will require flyers to earn status in 2021 before they’ll be offered the new benefits but I could be wrong. I’ll ask and I’ll see what I can find out.
As suspected, American has confirmed to me that only elites who earn status in 2021 (and in subsequent years) will have access to Elite Choice Rewards. If you had EXP or Plat Pro status extended through January 2022, you will not be offered Elite Choice Rewards unless you meet the qualification requirements in 2021.
Can a PlatPro bring a guest, who is also flying on same itinerary, into the First Class lounges?
Yes, 1 guest traveling on a oneworld flight (doesn’t have to be the same itinerary)