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...
24 comments
Marcia A Bayse
October 29, 2020
I am interested in applying for the credit card that would eliminate the baggage fees for American Airlines. I understand about the cards that would allow the first free bag. But I am a little confused about the cards (Platinum Pro Plus) that would allow for a second free bag. Are these 2 cards available to obtain by applying like the others or are these cards only available to customers that have a history with American Airlines and do they have annual fees that can be waived the first year etc.?
Thank you for your help!
Jarrod West
October 30, 2020
Hi Marcia,
American Platinum Pro Status is not a credit card that can be applied for, it is a status level in the American Airlines loyalty program. For a companion on all of the best American Airlines credit cards that can be applied for, please refer to this post.
GENE RARANGOL
September 25, 2021
The free checked bags for Platinum Pro is not 2 bags. I think it is 3 bags. Please check. Thankss
Jarrod West
October 03, 2021
Hi Gene,
You are correct. Thanks for pointing that out, I’ve just updated the post.
Peter Wurzburger
September 28, 2022
Upon reaching Platinum Pro does one request the Loyalty Choice reward or does AA forward a “congratulations” email that triggers my choice? Also, is the system-wide upgrade for round trip or just one way? And is that on a 72 hour notification or does it kick in as soon as you buy the economy ticket?
many thanks
Jarrod West
September 29, 2022
Hi Peter,
Once you qualify you should be able to sign into your account and select your reward, though you may receive an accompanying email. Systemwide upgrades can be used for one-way travel for up to 3 flight segments, but not for round-trip bookings. The 72-hour complimentary upgrade window is from the time the flight is scheduled to depart, not from the time you book. Thanks for reading!
Camden
December 03, 2022
None of the math is correct for the mileage bonuses. Non-elite AA members get 5 miles per dollar. Platinum Pro gets an 80% bonus (from 5mi/$) so 5 x 1.8 = 9mi/$. So $1000 base fare gets 9000 miles/pts and a $7000 base fare gets 63000 miles/pts. 80% does not mean 8x, its 80% times 5miles/$. Lots of other sites get it wrong too.
Jarrod West
December 05, 2022
Hi Camden,
Thanks for pointing that out. I’ve corrected that part of the post.
Quimby
December 11, 2022
Upon reaching Plat Pro how does one activate the One World Emerald Status for OW benefits?
Jarrod West
December 12, 2022
Hi Quimby,
You do not need to activate it. You simply need to enter your AA number when booking with a Oneworld carrier and you will receive your Emerald benefits.
Joe
March 02, 2023
Thanks for the informative article. Can I add my wife to my AAdvantage Platinum Pro status as a companion? I realize I can get her upgrades when we travel together, but I’d like her to be able to utilize the status if she is traveling without me.
Christine Krzyszton
March 02, 2023
Hi Joe. Thanks for reading and for your kind words. Unfortunately, you cannot add your wife to your AAdvantage Platinum Pro status. Each individual must earn status on their own using their own frequent flyer AAdvantage account.
Mark Pinlon
March 09, 2023
Hi Jarrod, nice work,
Although it seems that most airlines do disclaim all the benefits of their mileage program, they are often not straight forward, the most confusing is American Airlines with their luggage allowance tables, you simplify their rumbling. I wonder if their legal team use AI to spill their explanation.
Although it seems clear to me that AA Platinum Pro luggage allowance is 3 pieces 1) does it also apply to all International flights? 2) and does it extend to the companion as well?
Do you know of automatic complimentary upgrades for International travel?
Thank you for your articles, they are quite a treat.
Jarrod West
March 10, 2023
Hi Mark,
Yes, the baggage allowance applies to all itineraries, regardless of destination, and for up to 8 companions on the same itinerary. As for complimentary upgrades on international travel, these only apply to flights to Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean. All other international flight routes are not eligible.
Stephen McLaughlin
May 12, 2023
I am already a Platinum Pro member, if i book a flight to the UK and the actual plane is British Airways do i get to choose my seats in advance and do i also get to choose any premium seating.
Jarrod West
May 15, 2023
Hi Stephen,
Yes, you’ll be able to select your seat in advance.
Maria
May 20, 2023
Hello. I am elite Platinum Pro and still am unclear about baggage allowance for OneWorld partner Iberia. I have booked 2 flights strictly in Europe and placed my AA FF# in the booking, booked basic economy, which doesn’t include checked bags. I only see 1 bag allowed for myself but if I add for my companions, Iberia wants to charge me. Any ideas? Thanks
Jarrod West
June 02, 2023
Hi Maria,
Since you are Oneworld Emerald, on itineraries using the “piece system” – you receive one additional bag for free in addition to your ticketed baggage allowance.
Robin McAfee
June 11, 2023
As a platinum pro member do I get upgrades on seats on Qantas?
Jarrod West
June 12, 2023
Hi Robin,
Sadly no. Seat upgraded only apply to select AA flights with your Platinum Pro status.
Todd Ranes
August 13, 2023
Oneworld lounge says I need the following to enter: frequent flyer membership card, with Oneworld Emerald or Sapphire tier status, to access a lounge. Where do I get this card. I am Platinum Pro and Emerald status with AA.
Keri Stooksbury
August 13, 2023
Hi Todd, are you able to show a copy of your Platinum Pro card from the AA app or website?
Kwan Lau
August 13, 2023
As an AA platinum pro member, I simply enter my AA number when booking with Alaska Airlines to receive my Emerald benefits. I will get AA miles credit back to my AAdvantage account also. Can I select to get Alaksa miles credit to my Alaska account instead of the AA AAdvantage account?
Jarrod West
August 14, 2023
Hi Kwan,
You can only earn miles to one account on your flights. If you are entering your AA number to receive Oneworld Emerald benefits, then you have to earn AA miles as well.
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