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Breaking: American Airlines Credit Card Bonus Miles – Count Towards Elite Status!

Jane is the creator and editor of Plane Jane Trips, a website dedicated to sharing travel tips and tricks for air travel on a budget. With over 15 years of experience planning affordable getaways, Jane loves helping fellow travelers save money while still enjoying memorable vacations.

What To Know

  • Yes, American Airlines credit card bonus miles do count towards elite status.
  • American Airlines credit card bonus miles do indeed count towards elite status, providing a valuable way to accelerate your progress towards the coveted perks and benefits of elite membership.
  • By strategically using your credit cards and taking advantage of promotions, you can maximize your mileage earnings and enjoy the exclusive privileges of elite status.

American Airlines offers a generous loyalty program that rewards frequent flyers with elite status, which comes with exclusive perks and benefits. One common question among credit card enthusiasts is: do American Airlines credit card bonus miles count towards status? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the intricacies of this topic and provide clear answers to your burning questions.

Earning Miles with American Airlines Credit Cards

American Airlines co-branded credit cards, such as the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, offer various ways to earn miles:

  • Spending: Earn miles on everyday purchases, with bonus categories for travel and dining.
  • Sign-up Bonus: Receive a substantial number of bonus miles upon account approval.
  • Anniversary Bonus: Earn additional miles each year on your card anniversary.

Do Bonus Miles Count Towards Status?

Yes, American Airlines credit card bonus miles do count towards elite status. This includes miles earned from welcome bonuses, anniversary bonuses, and spending bonuses. However, there are some important exceptions:

  • Miles earned from airline partners, such as British Airways or Cathay Pacific, do not count towards status.
  • Miles purchased directly from American Airlines or transferred from other loyalty programs do not count towards status.

How Do Bonus Miles Contribute to Status?

Bonus miles contribute to elite status just like miles earned from flying. They are added to your total mileage balance, which determines your elite status tier:

  • AAdvantage Gold: 25,000 status miles
  • AAdvantage Platinum: 50,000 status miles
  • AAdvantage Platinum Pro: 75,000 status miles
  • AAdvantage Executive Platinum: 100,000 status miles

Maximizing Elite Status with Credit Card Miles

To maximize your elite status earning potential, consider the following strategies:

  • Apply for a high-value credit card: Cards like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® offer generous sign-up bonuses and high earning rates.
  • Meet spending requirements: To earn the sign-up bonus, you must meet the minimum spending requirement within a specified timeframe.
  • Use your card for travel expenses: Earn bonus miles on flights, hotels, and rental cars.
  • Take advantage of promotions: American Airlines often offers limited-time promotions that can boost your mileage earnings.

Benefits of Elite Status

Elite status with American Airlines unlocks a range of exclusive perks, including:

  • Priority boarding
  • Free checked bags
  • Lounge access
  • Upgrades
  • Bonus miles and discounts

Summary

American Airlines credit card bonus miles do indeed count towards elite status, providing a valuable way to accelerate your progress towards the coveted perks and benefits of elite membership. By strategically using your credit cards and taking advantage of promotions, you can maximize your mileage earnings and enjoy the exclusive privileges of elite status.

Questions You May Have

Q: Do all American Airlines credit cards offer bonus miles?

A: Yes, all American Airlines co-branded credit cards offer bonus miles, but the amount and earning categories may vary.

Q: How long do bonus miles take to post to my account?

A: Bonus miles typically post to your account within 4-8 weeks of account approval or completing the spending requirement.

Q: Can I use bonus miles to upgrade my flights?

A: Yes, you can use bonus miles to upgrade eligible flights, subject to availability and upgrade fees.

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Jane

Jane is the creator and editor of Plane Jane Trips, a website dedicated to sharing travel tips and tricks for air travel on a budget. With over 15 years of experience planning affordable getaways, Jane loves helping fellow travelers save money while still enjoying memorable vacations.
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