I fly American Airlines more than any other airline, given what a big presence the company has at my home airport of Miami. I’ve had Executive Platinum status with the airline for well over a decade. This is American’s top published tier status (American also has Concierge Key, but that’s invitation-only, and not something I’m likely to ever earn).
In this post I wanted to take a detailed look at this status. How do you earn Executive Platinum status, what are the perks, and is it worth it? In separate posts I covered the value of Platinum Pro status, Platinum status, and Gold status.
In this post:
How to earn AAdvantage Executive Platinum status
Nowadays you can earn elite status in the AAdvantage program by racking up Loyalty Points, which is American’s elite currency. For context, here’s how many Loyalty Points you need to earn in order to qualify for the various AAdvantage elite tiers:
- AAdvantage Gold status requires 40,000 Loyalty Points
- AAdvantage Platinum status requires 75,000 Loyalty Points
- AAdvantage Platinum Pro status requires 125,000 Loyalty Points
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum status requires 200,000 Loyalty Points
Loyalty Points are different than redeemable AAdvantage miles, as your Loyalty Points total resets every calendar year.
With AAdvantage, the elite status qualification year runs from the beginning of March until the end of February of the following year. In other words, the 2024 elite year runs from March 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025. Status earned during this elite year would be valid all the way through March 31, 2026 (there’s a one month buffer after the end of the status year).
You can earn Loyalty Points through a variety of methods, ranging from credit card spending to flying. You earn one Loyalty Point per dollar spent on a credit card, so $200K in eligible credit card spending would earn you the status. Note that the number of miles flown is in no way factored into earning status — you could qualify for Executive Platinum status without stepping foot on a plane.
For more on how to qualify, see my guide on the AAdvantage Loyalty Points program, and my guide to earning Loyalty Points with credit card spending.
AAdvantage Executive Platinum status benefits
AAdvantage Executive Platinum status comes with a variety of perks, ranging from complimentary upgrades, to Loyalty Point Rewards benefits, to lounge access, to extra legroom seating. Let’s go over the details of each of these perks.
I’ll rank them roughly in the order that I value them, starting with the most valuable perks.
Complimentary upgrades within North America
AAdvantage Executive Platinum members receive unlimited complimentary space available upgrades within North America, including for up to one travel companion:
- Complimentary elite upgrades can start clearing up to 100 hours before departure, and Executive Platinum members have priority over other elite tiers (all elite tiers offer complimentary upgrades, so the main benefit of being Executive Platinum is the higher priority)
- Complimentary elite upgrades apply both on revenue tickets and on AAdvantage award tickets
- Within each elite tier, upgrades are prioritized by your rolling 12-month total of Loyalty Points, so the more Loyalty Points you rack up, the better your odds of being upgraded
- American and Alaska offer reciprocal elite upgrades, and you can read more about how that works here
How often should you expect upgrades to clear as an Executive Platinum member? It really depends on the routes you fly, the days of the week you fly, etc. American has gotten much better at selling first class seats over the years, leaving fewer seats for upgrades. Furthermore, the airline has started aggressively selling upgrades for cash, and the new pilot contract also allows deadheading pilots to be upgraded ahead of elite passengers on the airport upgrade list.
Don’t expect that you’ll always clear your upgrades — I’d say that Executive Platinum members maybe clear upgrades an average of 50% of the time, but people will have wildly varying experiences. I know some people who have upgrades clear 90% of the time, and some people who have upgrades clear 20% of the time. I will say that my upgrade success has decreased significantly over time, as an Executive Platinum member with a low Loyalty Points total.
See my guide to American’s complimentary elite upgrades.
Access to Loyalty Point Rewards
This isn’t directly tied to elite status, but American has the Loyalty Point Rewards program, whereby you can select benefits when earning a certain number of Loyalty Points over the course of the program year. This is also how you can earn systemwide upgrades, which are a benefit that many appreciate, since it allows you to upgrade to business class on long haul flights.
For example, at 175,000 Loyalty Points you could select two systemwide upgrades, and at 250,000 Loyalty Points you could select two additional systemwide upgrades. If you don’t value those all those much, there are all kinds of other perks you can select, including bonus miles.
See my guide to American Loyalty Point Rewards.
oneworld Emerald status (including lounge access)
AAdvantage Executive Platinum automatically gets you oneworld Emerald status, which I’d consider to be the most valuable alliance-wide status out there. This offers various benefits when traveling on any of the over dozen oneworld airlines, including priority check-in, priority boarding, and more.
As a oneworld Emerald member you’ll also get access to most oneworld first & business class lounges when traveling on long haul international flights. This includes everything from American Flagship Lounges, to the Qantas First Lounge LAX.
See my guide to oneworld Emerald status.
Complimentary Main Cabin Extra seating
AAdvantage Executive Platinum members can receive complimentary Main Cabin Extra seating for them and up to eight companions on the same reservation at the time of booking, subject to availability. This perk applies on flights globally, and not just flights within North America.
Main Cabin Extra is American’s extra legroom economy seating, typically in the front of the economy cabin and at exit rows, and it generally offers several extra inches of legroom. Furthermore, Main Cabin Extra offers complimentary alcoholic drinks.
If you’re going to be seated in economy, then at least being able to assign Main Cabin Extra seats makes the journey more tolerable.
120% status mileage bonus
AAdvantage Executive Platinum members receive a 120% mileage bonus on flights. All AAdvantage members earn 5x miles per dollar spent on American flights, meaning that Executive Platinum members earn 11x miles per dollar spent. This same percentage bonus applies on partner airlines (though mileage earning is calculated differently).
Since all miles from flying qualify as Loyalty Points, this also means that it’s easier to requalify for status once you’ve already earned it, since you’ll be earning miles at a faster pace.
Three free checked (priority) bags
AAdvantage Executive Platinum members can check three bags free of charge on all itineraries, with each bag weighing up to 70 pounds (compared to the standard economy limit of 50 pounds per bag).
Furthermore, your bags will be tagged as being priority. Don’t necessarily expect that those bags will consistently come out first at baggage claim, though.
One drink & snack item in economy
To make the travel experience a bit more pleasant when upgrades don’t clear, AAdvantage Executive Platinum members receive a free drink and snack when traveling in economy. Just inform the flight attendant of your status (if it’s not offered proactively), and you shouldn’t be charged for those items.
Since Main Cabin Extra already comes with free drinks, this will generally just result in a free snack.
Priority check-in, security, and boarding
AAdvantage Executive Platinum members receive a variety of priority services at the airport, including:
- Priority check-in, typically with first & business class
- Priority security screening
- Priority boarding, typically with first class (group one)
I’d say that of those, the priority boarding benefit is the most valuable. In Miami I find that the priority check-in counter often has longer lines than the regular economy area.
Same day flight changes & priority standby
Executive Platinum members can make complimentary same day flight changes to another flight in the same market. There are capacity controls to this, so don’t expect that it will always be possible, even if there are seats available.
Beyond that, Executive Platinum members receive priority standby, as the standby list is prioritized based on elite status. As an Executive Platinum member, you should typically be near the top of the standby list.
AAdvantage Executive Platinum phone number
AAdvantage Executive Platinum members get access to a special elite phone number. This generally offers much shorter hold times, and agents who are more knowledgable. Having access to this is quite valuable, especially during irregular operations.
In fairness, the Executive Platinum agents aren’t what they were a decade ago. Back then they’d do just about everything for you and were ridiculously knowledgable, while that’s not the case anymore. It’s still better than the standard phone support, though.
Is AAdvantage Executive Platinum worth it?
There’s obviously no one size fits all answer as to whether airline elite status is worth it, as it all depends on where you live, how often you fly, what your travel patterns are, etc.
I will say that generally airline elite status doesn’t offer as much value as it used to, as airlines have largely monetized their premium experiences better. Upgrades aren’t as readily available as they used to be, and there’s just not the opportunity to get outsized value the same way as a decade ago.
With that in mind, here’s my take on the value proposition of earning Executive Platinum status:
- For many people, Executive Platinum status is easier than ever before to earn, given that you can qualify through credit card spending with the Loyalty Points program; for those who are big credit card spenders, earning Executive Platinum status is easy
- Definitely manage your expectations when it comes to first class upgrades; you’ll get some, but unless you travel exclusively in less competitive markets during off-peak periods, odds are that you won’t be getting upgrades anywhere close to 100% of the time
- I do love having oneworld Emerald status, as it makes international travel on oneworld airlines so much more pleasant, with priority services, access to amazing lounges, etc.
- There’s consistent value with Executive Platinum status in terms of Main Cabin Extra seating, priority services at the airport, etc.
- Don’t expect much in the way of “soft treatment” as an Executive Platinum member, as American is often viewed as the worst when it comes to frontline employees recognizing elite status
As someone who lives in Miami and flies frequently, I do find Executive Platinum to offer value at the margins. I still end up paying for first class quite a bit, since there are many markets where upgrades are just really difficult. Still, I’d say the value is largely there, especially since I’m not going out of my way to be loyal to the airline.
Bottom line
Executive Platinum is American’s top published elite tier, and it offers perks like first class upgrades, extra legroom economy seating, priority services, oneworld Emerald status, and a lot more.
The status is fairly attainable nowadays due to the Loyalty Points system. I wouldn’t totally go out of my way to earn Executive Platinum if you wouldn’t otherwise be a frequent flyer with the airline, but if you fly American a lot, the status sure comes in handy.
If you’re Executive Platinum with American, what has your experience been?
I feel like I have heard that EXP allows for proactive alternate standby confirmations for backup flights. So I can call and setup backup flights that i can already be listed as confirmed seats or standby on? Has anyone done this?
EP for over a decade. CK for about three years. Last year as an EXP I did not clear one upgrade. I’m switching this year. Final straw is long transcons or near transcons with only one drink service in coach and no food. Last week I did lax-phl. One drink service. No food. Return was Phl-phx, which almost took 6 hours. One drink service. Seeing deadheading pilots in first just killed me.
EXP for about a decade now and I notice that its a blue moon when someone recognizes the loyalty I give the airline. (1) I am one of those who seems to be upgraded a lot on my trips MIA-JFK-MIA, which is nice. (2) That free food for EXP is only available on very long flights- not a 3 hour flight like the ones I take. (3) That photo of MIA must have been taken...
EXP for about a decade now and I notice that its a blue moon when someone recognizes the loyalty I give the airline. (1) I am one of those who seems to be upgraded a lot on my trips MIA-JFK-MIA, which is nice. (2) That free food for EXP is only available on very long flights- not a 3 hour flight like the ones I take. (3) That photo of MIA must have been taken at 4am or 2am. MIA (with its totally broken infrastructure of escalators, N Concourse Train broken, moving sidewalks that have been broken for over 5 years) is not a mess like CLT but its much busier than JFK.
After a flight this week out of FLL, when AAdvantage changed the same day flight change rules, being an EP meant nothing. I do not remember how many times I had to tell them and show them my EP credentials so they would even speak to me. First words out of their mouths “I can’t help you, you need to go on the app and list yourself.” WOW, now that's customer service. Suffice it to...
After a flight this week out of FLL, when AAdvantage changed the same day flight change rules, being an EP meant nothing. I do not remember how many times I had to tell them and show them my EP credentials so they would even speak to me. First words out of their mouths “I can’t help you, you need to go on the app and list yourself.” WOW, now that's customer service. Suffice it to say, after giving AA three years of my business from a hub city I’m heading back to UA, I’ve submitted my status match. Making an extra connection is going to be less of burden than the dealing with ANY frontline staff again on AA. Continue to devalue the program and cater to those that buy groceries versus those who actually fly for status.
I find being EXP really helps in irregular operations. I never depend upon anyone else. I figure out my alternate routes and seats and whether a telephone agent, club agent or gate agent they are 100% willing to immediately re-ticket me without giving me the song and dance about needing to go standby.
Complimentary upgrades if they don't go away completely are going to be far limited as Americans (and the other US2) become...
I find being EXP really helps in irregular operations. I never depend upon anyone else. I figure out my alternate routes and seats and whether a telephone agent, club agent or gate agent they are 100% willing to immediately re-ticket me without giving me the song and dance about needing to go standby.
Complimentary upgrades if they don't go away completely are going to be far limited as Americans (and the other US2) become more and more aggressive at monetizing the domestic first class cabin.
Just reached EP status. How do I find this much touted phone number for EP flyers? It’s mentioned in their email to us, in the promo the mailed us, & on their website. But darned if I can actually find the number!
When you call the main line it will direct you to the EP queue
I dont have that number off-hand but can tell you that it is rare to you reach a rep within 5 mins..... typically, "we can call you back at this number within 28 mins".
Baggage benefit is incorrect. It’s 70lbs for EXP regardless of cabin flown
I had to chuckle about @catmndu's "quick call to the EP desk." A couple weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon when there were no major travel disruptions that I was aware of, I called to apply my one SWU from last year. The system told me the wait was 2:40 to 3:20. I thought it was an error but sure enough... Three and a half hours later I received a call back. 3.5 hours on...
I had to chuckle about @catmndu's "quick call to the EP desk." A couple weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon when there were no major travel disruptions that I was aware of, I called to apply my one SWU from last year. The system told me the wait was 2:40 to 3:20. I thought it was an error but sure enough... Three and a half hours later I received a call back. 3.5 hours on what appeared to be an ordinary day for the EP desk. When I call the DL Diamond desk, I get connected almost instantly. I've got to hope it was a bad day or the phone system misrouted my call. Calling is always a last resort, so I hadn't done it in years...
Spot on AD. It has been this way for a couple of years now. I almost never get to speak to someone without an hour wait or more.
I still value the systemwide upgrades. I took a friend to the airport in early February so she could meet up with her husband in Frankfurt. I checked expertflyer in the morning and found one upgrade available. A quick call to the EP desk resulted in her getting upgraded from coach to business. Lounge access, 2 bag limit and a more comfortable seat. She was very thankful. I figure that I'll be able to gift...
I still value the systemwide upgrades. I took a friend to the airport in early February so she could meet up with her husband in Frankfurt. I checked expertflyer in the morning and found one upgrade available. A quick call to the EP desk resulted in her getting upgraded from coach to business. Lounge access, 2 bag limit and a more comfortable seat. She was very thankful. I figure that I'll be able to gift any systemwide upgrades to friends if I can't use them myself.
On a trip at the beginning of April there was an aircraft change (321 -> 320). They kept me in main cabin extra with an aisle seat (which I had previously picked).
All in all EP is helpful. This coming year though I may only reach for platinum pro as that will still give me first class lounge access.
Note that the number of miles flown is in no way factored into earning status — you could qualify for Executive Platinum status without stepping foot on a plane.
What a joke. Devalues status and means nothing. This sort of stuff ruins loyalty programs. Thankfully qantas is more selective.
Status already means nothing, what matters is having cash to buy the cabin experience or charter plane you want. I am EXP from spending, not flying, thankfully, because time in US domestic travel is mediocre, and unless it is compelling, like flying to CDG later this Spring, domestic US travel sucks, and I go when I have to for work or what not, but the flight experience is such that I prefer to vacation locally....
Status already means nothing, what matters is having cash to buy the cabin experience or charter plane you want. I am EXP from spending, not flying, thankfully, because time in US domestic travel is mediocre, and unless it is compelling, like flying to CDG later this Spring, domestic US travel sucks, and I go when I have to for work or what not, but the flight experience is such that I prefer to vacation locally.
I recall two decades ago, star alliance, exciting, getting upgrades on NZ bubble of 747, going first on LH on A380, Biz 747 on Singapore, now that was amazing. It's mierda-show now.
I've been ExPlat (or the USAir equivalent prior to merger) for 3 decades more or less. Most flights out of my regional airport are Embraer 145s (which replaced Dash 8s), so upgrade possibilities only when connecting. In the past year, I have mostly just purchased first class. I value ExPat for the systemwide upgrades, which can usually be gotten for international business class seats to Europe Nov through Feb without much trouble. Rome, Madrid, and...
I've been ExPlat (or the USAir equivalent prior to merger) for 3 decades more or less. Most flights out of my regional airport are Embraer 145s (which replaced Dash 8s), so upgrade possibilities only when connecting. In the past year, I have mostly just purchased first class. I value ExPat for the systemwide upgrades, which can usually be gotten for international business class seats to Europe Nov through Feb without much trouble. Rome, Madrid, and Lisbon are great destinations that time of year, especially with the ease of getting a train to the South from Rome and Madrid. I also value it for the phone number. Even if service is not as great as it once was, it is easier to get what I want than using the app, which never seems to have the flights I want when there are flight issues. And finally, Group 1 boarding is often a life saver for this "carryon only" traveler (bagpack duffel not rollerboards). And Ben is spot on for the value of being One World Emerald and having access to lounges when traveling internationally.
Personally, I appreciate the occasional upgrades and the superior lounge access that Executive Platinum status allows; however, the systemwide upgrades seem to be very difficult to use these days, rendering them less and less valuable.
Ben, you are wrong about baggage weight. It has changed and now PP and EP get 70 pounds regardless of cabin. To me that is a huge benefit esp when on a 12 day work trip.
Flagship® First and Flagship® Business Plus confirmed customers and AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum Pro® and oneworld® Emerald members can check 3 bags up to 70 lbs / 32 kgs at no extra cost.
I’ve been EP for like 6 or 7 years. I think the pro tip for AA fliers is get Platinum Pro so you are ow Emerald and can use the Firat lounges for partners. That is the best part of ow Emerald. I would also get the lounge access CC. Otherwise EP is not really worth it.
^^^ This ^^^
So how much could one expect to fly/spend on airfare, to qualify for Executive Platinum?
Just over $18k per year on airfare to maintain it.
Depends whether you have status or are starting from scratch. I think Ben quotes $23K if starting from scratch.
Ben - are concierge key invitations now based on total loyalty points, or spend on flights like they used to be based?
$50k per year on airfare at a minimum. NOT based on LPs.