If you regularly book flights in the American Airlines AAdvantage program, you may be interested in learning what it takes to earn lifetime status with American.
In its latest updates to the AAdvantage program, American announced plans to add two new Million Miler categories by 2025. So, let’s discuss the details of American Airlines Million Miler status, including how to get it, what it gets you and how you can look to upgrade to this status.
How to get American Airlines Million Miler status
If you want to earn American Airlines Million Miler status, know that only base miles earned by flying on American Airlines, American Eagle and any other eligible airline participating in the AAAdvantage program count, according to the terms and conditions of the Advantage Million Miler program.
In short, you’ll need to fly a lot of miles on American Airlines and its ADvantage partners to earn Million Miler status. You can earn Loyalty Points for American Airlines status through a number of methods – including spending on cobranded American Airlines credit cards, using the AAdvantage eShopping portal and using SimplyMiles offers. However, only the minimum miles earned on flights count toward Million Miler status.
When I looked at my recent flight activity, I discovered that it was not as simple as the basic miles earned on the airlines that count towards Million Miler status. For example, on this American-operated and -marketed airline – where AAdvantage calculated revenue based on fares – my minimum miles were significantly less than my Million Miler earnings. The flight distance was 4,965 miles, roughly what AAdvantage calculated as my Million Miler earnings.
Meanwhile, on this Japan Airlines flight that is still on sale – where AAdvantage calculates my mileage-based earnings – my base miles are equal to my Million Miler earnings. Japan Airlines charges an H class credit on ADvantage for 70% of the flight distance (4,757 miles). This is how my base miles and Million Miler miles ended up at 3,339.
The terms and conditions of the Advantage Million Miler program state that base miles are what count when calculating Million Miler earnings. However, in practice, it is your flight distance that matters. And on flights that post to Advantage based on mileage, you’ll be credited with a Million Miler bonus based on a percentage of your boarding class credits.
Related: How American Airlines asked me to return to Advantage with loyalty points
Benefits of American Airlines Million Miler status
The American Airlines Million Miler program currently has two categories:
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- 1,000,000 Million Miler miles: Lifetime AAdvantage gold status and 35,000 bonus AAdvantage miles
- 2,000,000 Million Miler miles: Lifetime AAdvantage Platinum status and four one-way upgrades for the entire program
As you continue to fly with American Airlines and partner airlines past the 2 million mile mark, you’ll earn four additional one-way upgrades in each program for every 1 million miles you earn.
As mentioned above, AAdvantage will add two new categories to its Million Miler program starting March 1, 2025:
- 4,000,000 Million Miler miles: Advantage Platinum Pro lifetime status
- 5,000,000 Million Miler miles: Lifetime AAdvantage Executive Platinum status
If you have already accumulated 4 million or 5 million miles, your new status will be reflected in your account on or about March 1, 2025.
Related: So, what exactly is elite status in travel – and how can I get it?
How to check your American Airlines Million Miler progress
American AAdvantage makes it easy to check your Million Miler progress. Log in to your account and click on your name in the upper right corner. Select your personal account if you have both a personal account and an Advantage Business account, then click “Employment” on the left navigation bar. After doing so, a page will appear with your current Loyalty Point balance and Million Miler balance.
You can scroll down and select each activity to see how AAdvantage posted income. You can also check your activity and Million Miler progress within the American Airlines app.
Related: Is it worth pursuing elite status for life?
Bottom line
Even though there are two new categories coming in March 2025, the American Airlines Million Miler program still fares well compared to the United Airlines Million Miler and Delta Air Lines Million Miler. United and Delta offer lifetime gold status — not the lowest status in any program — to members who reach the 1 million mile threshold. Meanwhile, American offers lifetime status on its lowest tier (Gold) and 35,000 redeemable miles.
But, as a frequent traveler approaching Million Miler status with Advantage, it’s a carrot to keep me busy with the program. I’ve considered switching my Oneworld loyalty to the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan to earn higher status on award flights. As of now, however, I plan to stick with Advantage for at least one more eligible year. This way, I can reach Million Miler status and earn Advantage Gold status.
If AAdvantage doesn’t change the benefits in its Gold category, lifetime AAdvantage Gold status will give me a free checked bag, priority check-in and boarding, preferred seats at booking, additional Grand Cabin seats at check-in, and Oneworld Ruby. situation. These benefits will come in handy even if my travel decreases or my integrity changes.
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