Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure an...
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...
& Juan Ruiz
Juan has been involved in credit cards, loyalty, travel, and personal finance for more than 10 years. He has worked for several outlets including The Points Guy and Forbes and was previously Editor-in...
20 comments
Fran Rabuck
July 12, 2021
I’m currently about 31,000 miles short of AA Million Miler status. I still have Gold status extended from 2020. No miles this year yet.
Million Miler℠ balance: 969,158
Member since Apr 11, 1988
Award miles:478,068 Expiring on Jan 26, 2022
150,000 Miles to buy or gift
200,000 Miles to transfer
I also have about 23 – 500 mile upgrades.
What’s the best way to get those last miles? I don’t have a AA credit card. I use the Chase Platinum.
I expect to use these miles later in 2022 with wife and family for retirement.
I also have 500 EQD from AA posted as a promo in my account.
Jarrod West
July 13, 2021
Hi Fran,
Well, for the most part, the best/easiest way to earn the miles needed to reach AA Million Miler status is by flying with American or one of its Oneworld partners. I also highly recommend you either earn, or redeem, some of your AA miles prior to January 26th, 2022 so that they don’t expire on you, as you definitely don’t want to lose all of those AA miles.
Gene R
February 08, 2022
Hello there! First time here. Been looking for another group other than TPG. Does UP have a FB group? Do you know what happens if I hit 120k EQM’s first before the 12K EQD’s required for Exec Plat? I’m now a Plat Pro and doing mileage run this month to hit $12k EQD. I have around 100K EQM’s now. With my mileage run, I’m going to hit 120k EQM before hitting the 12K EQD.
Does anybody has had this situation? Did you get 4 total choice awards? 2 for qualifying for EP and 2 for hitting 120K EQM’s.
Jarrod West
February 08, 2022
Hi Gene,
We sure do! https://www.facebook.com/groups/LevelUpTravel We’d love you have you join us there.
As far as I am aware, I believe you would only receive 2 choice awards in your situation. But let me know if you find out otherwise!
Tom
August 02, 2021
If you buy 1,000 miles for a nominal amount your miles will not expire.
Doug
September 30, 2021
so when you see these credit cards give 60000 miles, does this go in your EQM’s account?
Jarrod West
October 01, 2021
Hi Doug,
Usually, the miles you receive from a card sign up bonus are just redeemable miles, they do not also count at EQM’s.
Carol
October 24, 2021
Hi There. I’m hoping to get your advice on how I can get to Gold on American this year. I am needing 2,501 more Miles (EQMs). My Progress to Gold (YTD):
3,235 Dollars (EQDs); Minimum: 2,000 Dollars (EQDs)
17,499 Miles (EQMs); (Minimum: 20,000 Miles (EQMs)
16 Segments (EQSs); Minimum 20 Segments (EQSs)
I have a trip planned that leaves December 31st 2021 and returns January 5th 2022. Will my return flight count toward Gold since I will be returning in 2022? If not, do you have any advice on the best route for me to obtain Gold? Thank you!
Jarrod West
October 27, 2021
Hi Carol,
The first leg of your trip will count towards your status since the flight will depart and land in 2021, but the return flight will not. Safe travels!
Ayan Owens
December 10, 2021
I thought with the change to the new loyalty points system, all activity in January and February of 2022, will count in the previous years qualifying numbers?
Jarrod West
December 13, 2021
Hy Ayan,
Yes, you’re correct. It seems that you can in fact double-dip in January and February.
meg
December 14, 2021
Does anyone understand if you earn status by Dec 31st, on American Airlines, does it last the whole of 2022? and if you don’t earn it until Feb 2022, does it last for the rest of 2022?
Jarrod West
December 15, 2021
Hi Meg,
If you earn status before December 31st it will last through 2022, if you don’t earn it until February then it will still last through 2022.
Paul
February 21, 2022
I’m less than 800 EQMs from hitting platinum pro status. Would it make sense for me to use my AA credit card to get to this level prior to the change on the 28th or will it matter? It seems like it will be harder to get the same perks after the change over.
Jarrod West
February 22, 2022
Hi Paul,
If you want to have Platinim Pro status through February of 2023, then I would definitely try to earn the 800 EQMs before the 28th.
Bryan
March 01, 2022
This page really needs to be updated or not claim that it is 2022 information
Christine Krzyszton
March 01, 2022
Hi Bryan. The 2021 qualification period for American Airlines elite status ended yesterday, February 28th. The new qualifying information for 2022 is included in the article. With the overlap in qualification periods, both options were included in the article as a reference for those who were still working on their 2021 qualification and those working on 2022.
Mike B
August 14, 2022
Basically American is saying , “If you want to fly up front, you WILL use our credit card for all your charges.”
Roberta
October 04, 2022
If you are using your AA card to purchase something that already earns Loyalty Points (in 2022), do you get double miles. 1 for the purchase, 1 for using the AA card?
Jarrod West
October 06, 2022
Hi Roberta,
Unfortunately not, you will still earn just 1 redeemable AA mile.
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