American Airlines Increases Elite Qualifying Dollar Requirement For Executive Platinum Status To $15,000 & New Benefits At 150k/200k/250k EQM

Starting in 2019 American Airlines will be making it more difficult to reach executive platinum status. Currently you need to have $12,000 in elite qualifying dollars (EQDs) to qualify, this will be increased by $3,000 to $15,000. Keep in mind the Barclays Aviator cards are also losing the ability to earn EQDs (silver cardholders can still earn 3,000 EQD with $50,000 in spend). All other loyalty tiers will be remaining the same.

Once hitting executive platinum status you’ll continue to receive 4 systemwide upgrades, normally when you hit 150,000 elite qualifying miles (EQMs)/200,000 EQMs and 250,000 EQMS you receive another two systemwide upgrades but now you’ll have the ability to choose a benefit:

• Reach 150,000 EQMs and choose from:
  • 2 systemwide upgrades
  • 40,000 bonus miles
  • Gift of AAdvantage® Gold status
• Reach 200,000 EQMs and choose from:
  • 2 systemwide upgrades
  • 40,000 bonus miles
  • Gift of AAdvantage® Platinum status
• Reach 250,000 EQMs and choose from:
  • 2 systemwide upgrades
  • 40,000 bonus miles
  • Gift of AAdvantage® Platinum status

American Airlines is also making some changes to earning rates on partner flights and special fares. I recommend reading the full announcement here for more details on those changes.