American Airlines made major changes to its AAdvantage loyalty program as of 2022, with the introduction of the Loyalty Points concept. With these changes, status is no longer earned based on how many miles you fly or how much you spend, but rather based on how many Loyalty Points you earn. As you’d expect, members have mixed feelings about these changes.
In this post I wanted to cover the details of the Loyalty Choice Rewards benefits for 2022, which are earned by passing certain Loyalty Points thresholds over the course of the membership year.
In this post:
What are American Loyalty Choice Rewards?
With the reimagined AAdvantage program, you earn status exclusively based on how many Loyalty Points you earn, as follows:
- AAdvantage Gold status requires 30,000 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
Since you can earn Loyalty Points through credit card spending and other partner activity, you could in theory earn all published AAdvantage elite tiers without stepping foot on a plane. However, there’s one aspect of elite perks that isn’t based exclusively on how many Loyalty Points you earn.
American AAdvantage has Loyalty Choice Rewards exclusively for those who fly at least 30 eligible flight segments over the course of a membership year. These Loyalty Choice Rewards give you access to some of the most valuable elite perks, like systemwide upgrades and more.
American’s 2022 Loyalty Choice Rewards
In 2022, American AAdvantage is offering five tiers of Loyalty Choice Rewards:
- Reward Level 1 can be unlocked after earning 125,000 Loyalty Points and a minimum of 30 eligible flight segments, and that gets you one Loyalty Choice Reward
- Reward Level 2 can be unlocked after earning 200,000 Loyalty Points, and that gets you two Loyalty Choice Rewards
- Reward Level 3 can be unlocked after earning 350,000 Loyalty Points, and that gets you two Loyalty Choice Rewards
- Reward Level 4 can be unlocked after earning 550,000 Loyalty Points, and that gets you two Loyalty Choice Rewards
- Reward Level 5 can be unlocked after earning 750,000 Loyalty Points, and that gets you two Loyalty Choice Rewards
A few things to note when it comes to selecting Loyalty Choice Rewards:
- For thresholds with multiple selections, you can choose the same reward twice, or two different rewards (except where it’s specifically noted that a selection required two choices)
- The 30 qualifying segments you need to earn include segments on American or a qualifying partner airline; American Airlines marketed award flights even count toward the requirement
- For the purposes of 2022 qualification, Loyalty Points earned between January 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023, qualify; going forward, the qualification year will be March 1 through February 28
- Once you qualify for Loyalty Choice Rewards, you’ll have until March 31, 2023, to make your selection; it could make sense to wait, since it gives you more flexibility, and potentially more time to redeem your rewards (for example, systemwide upgrades are valid for a year from when they’re issued)
With that out of the way, which Loyalty Choice Rewards should you select at each threshold? Let’s go over all the details.
Loyalty Choice Rewards for 125,000 Loyalty Points
Those who earn 125,000 Loyalty Points and 30 eligible flight segments earn Platinum Pro status, and can select one of the following benefits:
- One systemwide upgrade
- 20,000 AAdvantage bonus miles (AAdvantage credit card members receive an additional 5,000 bonus miles)
- Six Admirals Club one-day passes
- $200 American Airlines Trip Credit
- Carbon emissions offset
- $200 donation to your choice of one of 10 partner charities
- One-time 15% off award discount (for up to two passengers anywhere American or partners fly)
- Gift of AAdvantage Gold status
Loyalty Choice Rewards for 200,000 Loyalty Points
Those who earn 200,000 Loyalty Points earn Executive Platinum status, and can select two of the following benefits:
- Two systemwide upgrades
- 20,000 AAdvantage bonus miles (AAdvantage credit card members receive an additional 10,000 bonus miles)
- Six Admirals Club one-day passes
- Admirals Club membership (requires two Loyalty Choice Rewards)
- $200 American Airlines Trip Credit
- Carbon emissions offset
- $200 donation to your choice of one of 10 partner charities
- Gift of AAdvantage Gold status
- Choice of one Bang & Olufsen premium product (requires two Loyalty Choice Rewards)
Loyalty Choice Rewards for 350,000 Loyalty Points
Those who earn 350,000 Loyalty Points can select two of the following benefits:
- One systemwide upgrades
- 25,000 AAdvantage bonus miles
- Six Admirals Club one-day passes
- Admirals Club membership (requires two Loyalty Choice Rewards)
- $200 American Airlines Trip Credit
- Carbon emissions offset
- $200 donation to your choice of one of 10 partner charities
- Gift of AAdvantage Gold status
Loyalty Choice Rewards for 550,000 Loyalty Points
Those who earn 550,000 Loyalty Points can select two of the following benefits:
- One systemwide upgrades
- 25,000 AAdvantage bonus miles
- Six Admirals Club one-day passes
- Admirals Club membership (requires two Loyalty Choice Rewards)
- $200 American Airlines Trip Credit
- Carbon emissions offset
- $200 donation to your choice of one of 10 partner charities
- Gift of AAdvantage Platinum status (requires two Loyalty Choice Rewards)
Loyalty Choice Rewards for 750,000 Loyalty Points
Those who earn 750,000 Loyalty Points can select two of the following benefits:
- One systemwide upgrades
- 25,000 AAdvantage bonus miles
- Six Admirals Club one-day passes
- Admirals Club membership (requires two Loyalty Choice Rewards)
- $200 American Airlines Trip Credit
- Carbon emissions offset
- $200 donation to your choice of one of 10 partner charities
- Gift of AAdvantage Platinum status (requires two Loyalty Choice Rewards)
My take on American’s Loyalty Choice Rewards
Everyone will value these Loyalty Choice Rewards benefits differently based on their travel patterns and preferences, though I’ll share my broad take on which options make sense:
- Personally I value American AAdvantage miles at 1.5 cents each, so to me the bonus miles are the option to beat; if you qualify for the first and second tier of Loyalty Choice Rewards and have a co-branded American credit card, you could potentially earn a total of 85,000 AAdvantage miles
- I find the inconsistency of the valuation of awards at each tier to be odd; for example, at the first tier you can select a $200 American Airlines credit or one systemwide upgrade, while at the second tier you can select a $200 American Airlines credit or two systemwide upgrades
- Many people may like the systemwide upgrades, but personally I don’t plan on selecting those; American just doesn’t make enough confirmable upgrade space available, and I’d rather get AAdvantage bonus miles I can redeem however I’d like for travel on superior partner airlines
- For me the math just doesn’t add up on the Admirals Club day passes or membership, the $200 American Airlines credit, or the charitable donation, as the opportunity cost in terms of AAdvantage miles is too big
- At the first tier, selecting a 15% award discount could be the best value; for example, if you book two roundtrip awards to the Middle East on Qatar Airways in business class you’d pay 280,000 miles, so you’d be looking at a rebate of 42,000 miles
Since I’m hoping to earn 200,000 Loyalty Points over the course of this membership year (though I still have a ways to go), I’m leaning toward selecting the 15% award discount at the first tier, and then selecting 60,000 AAdvantage bonus miles at the second tier.
Bottom line
American AAdvantage offers the Loyalty Choice Rewards program, which members can select when passing certain Loyalty Points thresholds, along with earning 30 qualifying segments.
Someone who qualifies for Executive Platinum with 200,000 Loyalty Points and 30 segments could select five systemwide upgrades, or otherwise could select perks ranging from up to 85,000 bonus miles, to $600 worth of American Airlines credits.
Personally I’m not a huge fan of systemwide upgrades given the lack of confirmable upgrade space in advance, so I’m leaning toward selecting bonus miles.
What do you make of American’s Loyalty Choice Rewards? Which do you plan on selecting?
I generally agree that the miles are they way to go with the exception of the 200,000 threshold. In general you get to choose between 25,000 miles and one systemwide upgrade. given the best use of an upgrade is a long haul flight where you could spend 25,000 miles for the same upgrade points always win since they won’t time out and can be used in other ways. The expedition is the 200,000 threshold where...
I generally agree that the miles are they way to go with the exception of the 200,000 threshold. In general you get to choose between 25,000 miles and one systemwide upgrade. given the best use of an upgrade is a long haul flight where you could spend 25,000 miles for the same upgrade points always win since they won’t time out and can be used in other ways. The expedition is the 200,000 threshold where a single rewards choice gets you 2 systemwide upgrades not one. Alternatively you can get 30,000 miles (if you have the AAdvantage credit card) so each SWU is costing 15,000 points. A much better deal if you use them for long haul, perhaps worth rolling the dice on space.
Hi Ben,
Just double checking with you, you wrote that you’re going to select 60,000 bonus miles at the second tier, but is it not 20,000 bonus miles with an extra 5,000 bonus miles for AA credit card holders?
Any updates on when the AA 77Ws are being retrofitted ? I feel like this is the last chance to fly international first class with American .
Still have time. Late 2024: https://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2022/A-Private-Premium-Experience-in-the-Sky-American-Airlines-Introduces-New-Flagship-Suite-Seats-FLT-09/default.aspx
@OCTinPHL
Copy that
Besides, what is the big thrill about flying International First Class on AA 777s?
I really do not see the point (very mediocre as experienced by me and reported by Ben countless times). This is probably why the product is disappearing.
I juts saw, in complete shock, that the front cabin of a MIA-LIM operated by a normal A321 (not a T with the 3 classes) is offered at... $ 10,000+ round trip, which...
Besides, what is the big thrill about flying International First Class on AA 777s?
I really do not see the point (very mediocre as experienced by me and reported by Ben countless times). This is probably why the product is disappearing.
I juts saw, in complete shock, that the front cabin of a MIA-LIM operated by a normal A321 (not a T with the 3 classes) is offered at... $ 10,000+ round trip, which reminds ME of a La Paz- Santa Cruz- MiA flown years ago in a normal 757 with the domestic front cabin seating for roughly 9 hours.
I can understand why the 777 F class is disappearing, but not why one would miss it.
So to sum up, the rewards are almost exactly the same as last year and Ben still doesn't like SWU's. Yawn. Move along, nothing to see here.
How about starting a post with something other than "In this post I wanted..."
@BenjiminGuttery - I have been EXP since USAirways acquired AA. In dozens upon dozens of transatlantic trips I have only missed on SWU upgrades twice. Out of at least 50 legs, I probably...
So to sum up, the rewards are almost exactly the same as last year and Ben still doesn't like SWU's. Yawn. Move along, nothing to see here.
How about starting a post with something other than "In this post I wanted..."
@BenjiminGuttery - I have been EXP since USAirways acquired AA. In dozens upon dozens of transatlantic trips I have only missed on SWU upgrades twice. Out of at least 50 legs, I probably bought Y or W close to 35 or 40 times over 10+ years, and I've only missed on 2. Granted, I fly out of PHL, but there are usually less premium seats out of PHL compared to other hubs. I still have little problem. The 6 times I bought Y or W to HKG or, my SWUs always cleared. Granted, one was when I was walking from the Qantas lounge at LAX to the gate. But it cleared.
Ben is correct - very little confirmable space at time of booking. But instead of his incessant whining about it, he should write a post about how you can effectively use SWUs.
I'm sorry, but few people want to chance a SWU confirming at the gate for a long haul. If I'm flying to HKG, I don't really want to guess which cabin I'll be in. The historical benefit of SWU was confirming this space at booking. And Lucky's right, that is long gone. But you're right, I still have some leftover SWUs from this year and would love to find out how to use them these days.
Well, I pay for my own tickets. Not OPM. I bought W to HKG, and was willing to take the risk. Lucky is not. I feel there is still value in SWUs. My issue is that Lucky continues to complain about it in a post that offers absolutely no new information (there is only ONE change to the rewards - and he doesn't even say what it is).
I totally agree. SWUs are always waitlisted now, and the chances of an upgrade are slim or none. The days of confirming an SWU at the time of booking were eons ago. For long-haul flights, I prefer to purchase a business class seat rather than chance a possibility of a last-minute upgrade from cattle class.
Systemwide upgrades on long distance flights with lie down seats have the most value, but their availability is limited, especially on flights with smaller biz class seats. If American would either increase availability or extend the expiration to 3 or 4 years they would be my first option. None of the other awards appeal to me, as I already have more than miles to give away....if I would use them I would have a harder time maintaining my Ex.Plat status.
To Lee, Danny and Roper, even to you Ben...
I personally find the return of the good old Mileage Run of years past rather exciting, being back on it after a hiatus of several years. They are now called "Segments Run" and I just did one, all within the same day: 4 segments in exactly 12 hours and for $ 156, all in. Admittedly, it took some research but it's fun to do and good...
To Lee, Danny and Roper, even to you Ben...
I personally find the return of the good old Mileage Run of years past rather exciting, being back on it after a hiatus of several years. They are now called "Segments Run" and I just did one, all within the same day: 4 segments in exactly 12 hours and for $ 156, all in. Admittedly, it took some research but it's fun to do and good for the little grey cells. It certainly beats a crossword puzzle or the New Yorker's Cartoon Caption Contest.
One point for you, Ben: You wrote months ago and repeated today just above, that AA-marketed award segments count: This is NOT my experience. I have flown so far 6, maybe 8 award segments issued by AA but flown on BA, Iberia and Royal Air Maroc (admittely, not on AA metal but with AA codeshare flight numbers): they are nowhere to be seen in my account, neither in the Loyalty Points count (nothing expected there anyway) nor in the segments count where they definitely have not been included. My segments showing total only includes those I paid for.
A clariication by you is needed. Thanks in advance,
Hey Lucky!
I will say as a brand new EP, I'm super disappointed to hear that the SWU's seem to be so "unpopular". I've worked YEARS to build up to even earning them for the first time, and now I don't know what to do. Are they really "unusable", or just to major destinations like Hawaii/London/Doha or something? Like would they work to go to Munich, Sao Paulo, or Helsinki?
I chose the...
Hey Lucky!
I will say as a brand new EP, I'm super disappointed to hear that the SWU's seem to be so "unpopular". I've worked YEARS to build up to even earning them for the first time, and now I don't know what to do. Are they really "unusable", or just to major destinations like Hawaii/London/Doha or something? Like would they work to go to Munich, Sao Paulo, or Helsinki?
I chose the 15% back for my PlatPro Choice, saving both of my ExPlat Choices for March (just in case I need the extra time to choose).
The lament about SWUs being unusable is overstated. I had 6 this past cycle and was able to use them all. The key is flexibility. While availability is certainly narrower than it once was, certain routes, flights, and days still have plenty of space.
My usage this past year:
- Chicago to Athens (2)
- Chicago to Barcelona
- London to New York
- Dallas to Paris
- Charlotte...
The lament about SWUs being unusable is overstated. I had 6 this past cycle and was able to use them all. The key is flexibility. While availability is certainly narrower than it once was, certain routes, flights, and days still have plenty of space.
My usage this past year:
- Chicago to Athens (2)
- Chicago to Barcelona
- London to New York
- Dallas to Paris
- Charlotte to Madrid
In prior years, I used most of them flying between Dallas and Hong Kong. But that route was suspended altogether during covid.
Imagine AA's highest value customer: a Concierge Key. And, imagine this CK flies round-trip JFK to LHR every month in first class. This CK is spending (say) $60k per year and is earning 660k Loyalty Points per year. Yet, because this CK only flies 24 segments, this CK cannot unlock any of the choice benefits. AA's highest value and most profitable customer is being stiffed. I've talked with CKs in a similar position and all...
Imagine AA's highest value customer: a Concierge Key. And, imagine this CK flies round-trip JFK to LHR every month in first class. This CK is spending (say) $60k per year and is earning 660k Loyalty Points per year. Yet, because this CK only flies 24 segments, this CK cannot unlock any of the choice benefits. AA's highest value and most profitable customer is being stiffed. I've talked with CKs in a similar position and all agree they're being stiffed. AA needs to rethink its system.
Yes, that is exactly my situation, having never flown more than 20 segments annually despite being CK on spend for five years. Never thought I would need to complete a segment run, but here I am contemplating it.
I am also in the same predicament. I fly LAX/JFK in business class every month (for the past 30 years), spending over $30,000 annually. I do not fly 30 segments (only 24 segments annually) and thus do not qualify for any Loyalty Choice Rewards program.
Didn't you get earlier this year 6 complementary segments offered by AA Customer Service in celebration of some occasion? Many of us did.
No, I only received two bonus segments as a CK. It seems nonsensical, but that is what AA decided in its infinite wisdom.