American Airlines is tightening its frequent flyer rules
American Airlines (AAL) – Get a free report He does his best to put a positive face on the new update to his loyalty program, but the bottom line is that it will be difficult for some passengers to earn points after the latest change.
American Airlines AAdvantage members will need to earn 40,000 loyalty points in order to earn “Gold” status starting March 2023, up from the previous minimum of 30,000 points.
“We are creating a more rewarding travel rewards program for our AAdvantage members,” said Vasu Raja, U.S. Chief Commercial Officer.
“Only our members will have access to all that Americans have to offer. Achieving status will open up a wider world of unique experiences with the airline and our partners.”
American will also be giving away MileSAAver and AAnytime awards, which have been used to redeem frequent flyer miles for tickets at select minimum prices.
Now the airline will have online sales or “web specials” which will have mileage requirements that will change based on demand.
On the plus side, members of the loyalty program will unlock their first tier of benefits after earning 15,000 points, earning Group V boarding privileges. They will also get their choice between priority check-in, security, Group 4 boarding for a single flight, or five preferred seat vouchers.
The airline is also removing the previous limit of 75,000 miles a member could earn on a single ticket. It also works to earn AAdvantage members 2 miles per dollar spent on base economy fares for all tickets issued on or after January 1, 2023 for all flights beginning March 1, 2023.
Delta has also made big changes
Delta Airlines (DAL) – Get a free report The frequent flyer loyalty program is called SkyMiles, and customers can earn points to buy flights and use Delta-branded credit cards.
Customers can use these SkyMiles to earn medal status, which comes in Diamond, Platinum, Gold or Silver categories.
Delta has increased the threshold needed to qualify for a different medal status, Travel Weekly noted.
Silver medal status can still be obtained for $3,000. For gold, the minimum payout is now $8,000 to qualify, up from $6,000. Platinum sees a bump to $12,000 from $9,000. For Diamond, it’s now $2,023 in 2023, up from $15,000.
Changes to the minimum limits will not affect trip segments or miles traveled.
“With Delta emerging from an unprecedented summer of travel demand and navigating an evolving industrial landscape, the airline remains committed to ensuring Delta SkyMiles membership and medal status levels provide exclusive, earning opportunities for its most loyal customers,” the airline said in a statement.
The Medallion comes with benefits like priority boarding and check-in, and all but the Silver get priority security and baggage access. As you would expect, the higher your status, the more you get.
Silver comes with bonus miles (40%), free baggage, free upgrades, and priority check-in and boarding, while Gold offers free same-day flight changes, free upgrades, priority check-in, and express baggage service.
Platinum throws in free flight changes, while Diamond, the big enchilada, also gets free Clear membership, and three extra benefits.
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