James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
61 comments
Michael chesson
November 06, 2019
I saw I now have Gold status. How do I get the certificates?
Jarrod West
November 06, 2019
Hi Michael,
You can access and track your 500-mile certificates in your AAdvantage account wallet on aa.com or the app.
Thanks for reading!
Michael S
December 18, 2019
I have flown enough miles this year to qualify for Gold status starting next year. AA keeps sending me promos to buy Gold Status for $700 for next year when I’ve already earned it. Left hand not talking to the right hand.
Christine Krzyszton
December 18, 2019
Hi Michael. If you’ve qualified for Gold status by flying the required miles this year and met the EQD requirement, the status starts immediately, not next year. You probably already know this but wanted to mention it just in case.
Katherine Schoellhorn
January 07, 2020
I am interested in getting a Gold Status card. How do I do this?
Jarrod West
January 08, 2020
Hi Katherine,
In order to earn Gold status, you must fly 25,000 miles OR 30 segments AND spend $3,000 in a year with American Airlines.
Isha
January 13, 2020
Hi, my status has progressed to gold, how do I get quick gold status now?
Jarrod West
January 13, 2020
Hi Isha,
Do you already have gold status or you’re hoping to get gold status soon?
Vanheusden
January 15, 2020
I am a Gold member with an excess of 200,000 miles to redeem. What do I need to do to be provided with the actual ” AA Gold card ” physically?
Jarrod West
January 15, 2020
Hi Vanheusden,
You will need to contact American Airlines directly to have that send to you. Their customer service number is 1-800-433-7300.
Neville Newman
January 16, 2020
FYI , if you meet the other requirements but are only a few EQD’s short of Gold, call in during the last couple of weeks of the year and ask for a waiver. You will get your status without having to find, book, and fly a trip that you don’t need.
Now, my question… Why is it desirable to have a physical card? I see some people asking how to get one, but don’t know why it would be helpful.
Jarrod West
January 16, 2020
Hi Neville,
According to American Airlines, they apparently no longer issue physical card, and you’re correct that there is no benefit to having one.
Thanks for reading!
Stefan
January 16, 2020
Hi, I am new Gold Status member. What do you think, in your opinion, is the Number 1 and 2 best benefits that come with Gold status?
And do I have free check beg with the gold status? Thank you.
Christine Krzyszton
January 17, 2020
Hello Stefan and congrats on your Gold status. As mentioned in the article, getting complimentary upgrades on flights 500 miles or less and earning 500 mile upgrade certificates to use on future flights can be quite valuable. The best benefits, however, will be those that you personally use the most. If you fly a lot, receiving those additional bonus miles could be an important benefit. And yes, #10 in the article is a free checked bag.
R turner
January 21, 2020
You can get a digital card in your Apple wallet, I have this for my gold status.
laura
January 27, 2020
If I have AA gold status which comes with 1 free checked bag AND the AA Citi card which also comes with 1 free checked bag, do I then get 2 Free checked bags?
Jarrod West
January 28, 2020
Hi Laura,
Unfortunately, the baggage benefits do not stack together – so you would only receive 1 free checked bag.
Mike L
January 28, 2020
So, I HAD Gold back in August when I booked my flight to LIR from JAX for this coming weekend, but I no longer have it. Do I still get my checked bag free?? My receipt (my email from when I purhcased the flights) shows that I have a $0.00 first bag fee and a 2nd bag fee of $40. I assumed it was because of my Aviator Red Card, but now I realize the Aviator Red Card doesn’t count for free bags to Costa Rica. My wife and I are taking a lap baby to LIR and we HAVE to check bags, gosh I hope they are still free, so I can at least get two free bags and a stroller. THANKS for the article and the consideration of my question.
Jarrod West
February 04, 2020
Hi Mike,
If your booking is still showing that your first checked bag is free then that should continue to be the case.
Thanks for reading!
JulieP
March 31, 2020
It wasn’t. I had a copy of the receipt showing $0 and they said if it’s not in their system, it doesn’t matter what my receipt said. And I quote, “That’s just a piece of paper. Anyone can make one.” So I showed her on my phone in my email. She still charged me.
Albert Bergen
October 12, 2020
I am lifetime Gold. As I continue to fly I can get to the next level.
Sue
December 01, 2020
great article and lots of helpful tips.
I don’t understand how to get companions checked bags free if they are not on same reservation as me – Your hot tip says “If your companions aren’t booked on the same reservation, you just need to check the bags under your name. While technically frowned upon, most agents will have no problem with this, and you’ll still be able to get all the value from your Gold perk.” I only get one checked bag – so how would this work to put them under my name, wouldn’t that be charged as 2+ bags? Thanks
Jarrod West
January 15, 2021
Hi Sue,
Since the benefit is good for up to 8 traveling companions, as long as the agent doesn’t make a fuss that they’re on a different reservation from yours, then you should still be permitted to check the bags for free.
Raul
December 17, 2020
Do you know if gold members get a 50lbs bag checked for free or can it be 70lbs? My mom was Platinum Pro and she was able to check a 70lbs bag for free.
Jarrod West
December 18, 2020
Hi Raul,
Gold members can check a bag for free that weighs up to 50lbs.
Andrew Moffett
June 07, 2021
I have Gold status and the ticket I purchased came with one checked bag included. I want to clarify that the free checked bag from Gold status would mean that I and the rest of my family on the reservation will then have two free bags each, correct?
Jarrod West
June 07, 2021
Hi Andrew,
Unfortunately, the Gold baggage benefits do not stack. So if your ticket already includes a piece of checked luggage, you do not receive a 2nd one for free.
James Chan
May 23, 2022
Hi Jarrod,
I would just like clarification on Andrew’s question because I will be in a similar situation. I have Gold status and my (Main Cabin Extra) transatlantic flight already includes a free case. So the Gold status does not allow me to check in a 2nd bag for free? If this is the case, how much would the 2nd one cost?
I also have some USA domestic flights, so again the 1st is free because of my status. What would the 2nd case cost?
Chris Hassan
May 24, 2022
Hi James,
Yes, that is correct, you will be charged for the 2nd bag. On domestic flights, the second bag would cost you $30 (the price of a 1st check bag), on a transatlantic flight it currently costs $75.
James Chan
May 24, 2022
Chris…thank you for the clarification.
Anne Bridges
July 13, 2021
I am a lifetime Gold member. If I fly from the US to say, London, in Basic Economy would the normal $75 fee for one bag in this fare category be $0 for me? If it is $0, would any companions of mine on the same reservation also get a free bag?
Jarrod West
July 13, 2021
Hi Anne,
Yes, as a benefit of your Gold status you and up to 8 companions on the same reservation would receive a free checked bag.
Anthony
July 20, 2021
As a gold or platinum member, does the weight limit on your checked bags increase or is it still 50lbs?
Jarrod West
July 20, 2021
Hi Anthony,
Gold and Platinum members can bring extra checked bags on their flights, but the weight limit of each bag is still 50 pounds. Safe travels!
Shahab
November 21, 2021
Thank you for the great article. I recently got upgraded to Gold Status and wanted to assure I make the most of the benefits. I use the AMEX Travel portal to get points on my Amex MR, but I wanted to make sure this still allows me to get the AA Gold benefits, or should I book directly thru the AA.com website.
Jarrod West
November 22, 2021
Hi Shahab,
You would need to book directly with AA in order to take advantage of your Gold benefits.
Cristian
January 24, 2022
Great article Jarrod! I would like to know if this benefits are usable when you book a flight redeeming miles. Thanks!!!
Jarrod West
January 25, 2022
Hi Cristian,
This post was actually written by James but thank you for the kind words! To answer your question, yes these benefits are useable on award flights.
Dani
February 16, 2022
Thanks for the article. Re: “Upgrades on All Flights 500 Miles or Less (Gold)”. Does that mean I could upgrade to a First Class seat at no cost (if available of course)?
Christine Krzyszton
February 20, 2022
Hi Dani. With Gold status you are eligible, and will be put on the waiting list, to receive a complimentary upgrade. However, all other travelers on the flight with higher elite status than Gold will receive the upgrades first. You might want to review the helpful tips mentioned in the article for receiving upgrades with Gold elite status.
Jay
February 16, 2022
So simply getting the 50k sign-up bonus with an AA credit card doesn’t qualify you for Gold status?
Christine Krzyszton
February 17, 2022
Hi Jay. Unfortunately not. Miles earned on a welcome bonus are just redeemable bonus miles, not qualifying miles that count toward status. As mentioned in the article, “To earn Gold status for 2021, members have through February 28, 2022, to fly 20,000 miles OR 20 segments and spend $2,000 in a year. In 2022, you must earn 30,000 Loyalty Points.”
Colin
February 20, 2022
Very helpful. Was wondering if I need to pay a bag fee with gold aa advantage status to the Dominican. Thanks for letting me know it’s free!
Jody koonce
March 13, 2022
I missed gold status for 2022 by a couple of segments. How can I find out how many my flights I will need this year to qualify for gold status in 2023? I have a couple of trips to LAX and Oregon.
Jarrod West
March 14, 2022
Hi Jody,
American Airlines has revamped its elite status qualification and now requires 30,000 Loyalty points in order to reach Gold status. You can see all the details in this guide: /news/american-aadvantage-changes-2022/.
Rohan T. M
March 14, 2022
Is Gold Status an annual membership? Is the fee an annual fee or is this a one-time fee? are there any criteria to be met to maintain the Gold status?
Jarrod West
March 14, 2022
Hi Rohan,
Gold status is an annual elite status but there is no membership fee. Each year, you have to earn 30,000 American Airlines Loyalty Points in order to qualify, or re-qualify for American Airlines Gold status.
Alay
March 30, 2022
I am about to lose my Gold Status and I was just wondering if it’s worth taking advantage of one of those offers AA sends to renew (pay in USD or miles.) A lot of times I just pay the first class fare. What privileges do I lose if I don’t have the Gold status but am still buying First class ticket?
Jarrod West
March 30, 2022
Hi Alay,
In my view, it would not be worth it to pay extra to retain Gold status as it doesn’t offer many benefits that you can’t also receive by just holding an AA co-branded credit card.
Mark
June 19, 2022
I have a question about “ Complimentary Preferred Seats and Access to Main Cabin Extra Seats.” Does that apply to all flights (to Europe, for example) or only domestic and “local” international?
Jarrod West
June 20, 2022
Hi Mark,
As far as I know, it should apply to all flights.
Emily
July 06, 2022
Thank you for this breakdown. It was very helpful. I just wanted to clarify something. If you are Gold status and can board in group 4, does your companion also board group 4, if you are the one who bought the tickets? Thanks.
Jarrod West
July 06, 2022
Hi Emily,
Yes, your companion should also be able to board in group 4 with you.
Sisi
September 29, 2022
If I travel with my husband and 2 kids, do we all get upgraded or just me as the Gold elite member? Tx.
Christine Krzyszton
September 30, 2022
Hi Sisi. You and 1 travel companion on the same flight qualify for an upgrade. Keep in mind, however, that all other elites will have upgrade priority over Gold elites. If your travel companion is on a separate reservation, you must call and have the reservations linked.
Ilene
January 23, 2023
Do I receive AAdvantage Gold Status benefits on flights booked by redeeming miles through award flights or only on non award flights I actually purchase?
Katie Seemann
January 24, 2023
Hi Ilene,
You’ll receive most of your Gold benefits on award flights with the exception of complimentary upgrades.
John
February 05, 2023
If I book a flight through the american airlines website but it is operated by a partner airline (Gol airlines in this case) do my checked baggage benefits from gold status still apply on this flight? Thanks
Jarrod West
February 09, 2023
Hi John,
If you entered your AA number during booking then you should receive all entitled perks of your Oneworld status.
Billy B
February 19, 2023
I don’t have Gold status but my partner does. I recently booked an award flight from the US to the Caribbean for travel later this year. Is the reservation that I booked for the both of us with points eligible for us to get 1 free checked back since my partner is Gold? Or does it matter that I booked it and I have no status? Thanks
Chris Hassan
February 20, 2023
If you are both on the same reservation, you will both receive the benefits.
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