What happened
Miles to Memories reports a writer sitting at about 192k AAdvantage Loyalty Points halfway through the fifth qualification year, planning only to hit 200k Executive Platinum rather than chase the next Loyalty Point Reward 50k points higher.
Executive Platinum has been reached every year since Loyalty Points started for 2022. Ordinary Citi AAdvantage Business Mastercard spend plus the AA shopping portal should get them to 200k. This is one writer's spend mix, not a survey. Cash-back cards now capture more of the spend. They already hold enough miles and hotel points for upcoming trips.
Redeemable miles from card spend used to come at 2x and now land mostly at 1x. Domestic first-class upgrades out of a small regional airport now feel ordinary, with service close to Main Cabin Extra. United Travel Bank funds are being spent before 2027 to 2028 expirations. More flying will be on United, with some on Delta. Aspirational American and oneworld trips will be booked straight into premium cabins, so extra Loyalty Points matter less than hitting Executive Platinum.
Nothing to book. Weigh whether chasing AAdvantage Loyalty Points past 200k still beats other spend, and watch your own upgrade quality and earn rates.
- Numbers
- 192k loyalty points: author's current AAdvantage Loyalty Points balance
- 200k loyalty points: Executive Platinum threshold the author still plans to hit
- 50k loyalty points: gap to the next Loyalty Point Reward threshold, which the author will skip
- 2x multiplier: historical redeemable miles earn rate on spending
- 1x multiplier: current redeemable miles earn rate on most spending
- Takeaway
- Nothing to book; weigh whether chasing AA Loyalty Points beyond 200k still beats other spend, and watch your own upgrade and earn rates.