Guia Final Gold AAdvantage Status From American Airlines [2020] (2023)

Many travelers often wonder whether or not the lower levels of elite airline status are worth it. While there are certainly limitations to these lower elite levels when it comes to things like upgrades, there are still some very valuable perks you can take advantage of.

In this article, I'll tell you everything you need to know about American Airlines AAdvantage Gold status. I'll cover things like upgrade policies, priority boarding, free checked bags, and all the benefits in between.

What is American Airlines Gold status?

American Airlines Gold Status is the lower tier elite tier of American Airlines.

How do you qualify for American Airlines Gold status?

Earn Gold status by flying

There are two different methods to earn elite status with American Airlines by air.

• Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) + Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD)
• Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS) + Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD)

Therefore, you can earn status by flying a certain number of qualifying miles or a certain number of qualifying segments. But either way, you'll have to spend a certain amount of elite-qualifying dollars.

The standard qualifications to achieve Elite Gold status are shown below:

For 2020, American Airlines has made exceptions to the rating due to decreased travel demand due to the coronavirus.

Now, to get to Gold, you can fly 10,000 fewer miles, or just 50% of the normal segments needed. The spending requirement has also been cut in half.

Here are all the elite status requirements for American Airlines for the year 2021.

American will count all elite-qualifying flight activity completed in the fourth quarter of 2020 toward a member's 2021 qualifications.

2021 AAdvantage Level Requirements

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American Airlines coronavirus spread

Due to the coronavirus, American Airlines is extending the status validity for many customers. For any status valid through January 31, 2021, that status will be extended through January 31, 2022.

Elite status achieved in 2021 is valid until January 31, 2023.

For 2021, American will also waive the dollar eligibility requirement for Gold, Platinum and Platinum Pro if members spend $30,000 on purchases with their qualifying AAdvantage credit card.

Gold members can also look for a $300 credit toward an American Airlines vacation package.

Purchasing American Airlines Gold Status

Sometimes you may receive an offer to purchase Gold status. For example, you may receive an email inviting you to buy it for between $500 and $1,000.

I would say that since some of the significant benefits can be had through a credit card, this is generally going to be a bad deal for the vast majority of people, so I wouldn't go for it.

Fast track with hotel status

If you have Hyatt's elite status, how do youglobalistoexplorerstatus, it can sometimes speed your way to Gold status.

In the past, Explorists could earn gold by completing 7,000 EQMs or 8 EQS + $1,000 EQDs and Globalists could earn gold by completing 7,000 EQMs or 8 EQS + $1,000 EQDs in a matter of three months.

What are the benefits of American Airlines Gold status?

airport benefits

One of the best things about earning elite status with an airline is that your airport experience becomes more convenient and also less expensive. These are the airport benefits you'll get as an AA Gold member.

priority billing

From the moment you set foot in the airport, you should be able to access the priority check-in area, which should have a much shorter queue than the standard check-in queues.

As a Gold member, you can use any Business Class space, and if there is no Business Class check-in space available, you can use First Class.

priority security

You will also be able to go through a priority security line, although if you haveTSA pre-checkoCLEARyou might want to go with them instead.

boarding priority

And finally, you will also have priority boarding and you will be able to board withGroup 4.

Group 4 is the last of the priority groups, which means it will board before economy class. It doesn't seem very high on the food chain, but you'll still be able to get on board in time to secure space in the overhead storage bin.

(If you have the prizeCiti AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercardyou can also navigate with Group 4.)

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Please also note that if you arrive at the gate late and boarding is already taking place, you can skip the general boarding lines by showing your boarding pass.You can read more about theAmerican Airlines boarding process here.

Waiver of checked baggage fee

As a Gold member, you will not have to pay theAA checked baggage feefor your first checked bag. This applies to you and all guests traveling on the same reservation (excluding group reservations).With a potential savings of $30 per bag, those savings can add up quickly.

It's worth noting that you can also check luggage for free on domestic flights withCiti AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite.

As you progress through the elite levels, you'll receive two free checked bags and eventually three as an Executive Platinum member.

It's worth noting that you don't get priority baggage delivery as a Gold member.This means your bags won't be among the first to be unloaded, unless you're lucky.

Wait for free the same day

American Airlines will let you enjoy a free same-day booking flight. There is no charge for waiting for a different flight on the same day of travel when flying to/from:

• United States and US Virgin Islands
• Puerto Rico
• Canada
• Caribbean (selected destinations)

Admirals Club Membership Discount

Another advantage is that you can get a discount onAmerican Airlines Lounge Access Membership. If you're buying an individual subscription, you'll save $25, bringing your total to $625 instead of $650.

You can also get a discount when you use your AAdvantage miles to purchase a membership. Instead of 65,000 miles, it will be priced at 62,500 miles.

I would suggest looking at theCiti AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercardfor this membership.

mileage bonus

Once you reach Gold status, you'll earn more miles (40%) every time you fly.That works out to 7 miles per $1 spent.

In addition to earning bonus miles on American Airlines and American Eagle, you can also earn additional bonus miles when you fly with:

• British Airways
• cathay dragon
• Cathay Pacific
• Finnair
• iberian
• Japan Airlines
• LATAM Airlines Group
• malaysian airlines
• Qantas
• Qatar airlines
• Royal Air Morocco
• real jordaniano

Here's a look at how the bonus earn rates compare to other elite-level states:

You'll also earn a base 500 EQM for flights under 500 miles on American and oneworld partners. (But keep in mind that you will receive 250 EQM for flights with less than 500 miles on Basic Economy fares.)

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updates

Complimentary Preferred Seating

You can get free "Preferred Seats" as a Gold member.

Preferred seats are basically economy seats with the same legroom but better placement throughout the cabin. Basically, you won't get stuck in the back of the plane. The good thing about this benefit is that it also applies to up to eight passengers traveling with you on the same itinerary.

Complimentary extra seats in the main cabin

additional master stateroomit's the updated version of the economy with much more legroom and even free alcoholic beverages.

Indeed, it is a great experience and you can confirm your upgrade 24 hours before departure. This benefit also applies to up to 8 passengers traveling on the same reservation as you.

free updates

As a Gold member, you are entitled to request a Complimentary Upgrade for you and one eligible companion on American Airlines flights of 500 miles or less.

Upgrades are valid from Main Cabin to the next class of service, but upgrades are not permitted on Basic Economy fares.

If upgrade availability becomes available 24 hours prior to departure, your upgrade will be processed automatically.

These upgrades are valid for travel within and between the 50 US states, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and between the US and Central America.

Remember that deleting updates forbusiness/firstfree as a Gold member will not be easy. These upgrades will be awarded based on the elite levels you have at the bottom of the totem pole. ConciergeKey members are first, followed by Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, Platinum and Gold members.

improvements gained

American Airlines will reward you with more upgrade potential as you fly more.

You will be credited toward electronic upgrades of 500 miles for every 10,000 qualified base miles you earn when you purchase a ticket on qualifying American Airlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection and "Participating Airline" flights during your membership year.

Here is a list of participating airlines: Aer Lingus, Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Iberia, LanChile/LanPeru and Qantas Airways.

For flights of 500 miles or more, you can use purchased miles or500 mile upgrades. A 500-mile upgrade is required for every 500 miles you travel, so you'll need to know how far you're traveling. And remember that American Airlines will round up.

So if your flight is 1,750 miles, you'll need to cover 2,000 miles with four 500-mile upgrades.

With these upgrades, you will be able to upgrade any eligible fares purchased and published in Main Cabin (excluding Basic Economy fares) or Premium Economy fares to the next class of service (Business or Domestic First) for travel within North America.

purchased upgrades

American Airlines will allow you to purchase additional 500-mile electronic upgrades if you need them.This will cost you $40 per upgrade, or if you want to use miles, you can buy eight upgrades for 40,000 miles.

You can call the American Gold Hotline to purchase them or you can also purchase them at an Admirals Club. You can also purchase 500-mile upgrades at AA.com or through the AAdvantage dial-up system.

You can also upgrade a companion traveling with you on the same flight with your 500-mile upgrade.Just be sure to link the reservations if they were made separately.

Note: Each upgrade is valid for up to 500 miles of travel on eligible American Airlines flights, and each flight segment requires at least one upgrade.

Award Ticket Upgrades

As an American Airlines Gold Status member, you will not receive Complimentary Upgrades on award tickets. These types of upgrades are reserved for Executive Platinum only.

System-wide updates

As a Gold member, you will not receive system-wide updates, as they are reserved for members with Executive Platinum status.

Access to the AAdvantage Gold Hotline

Like many other elite status programs, American Airlines offers a special hotline to become a Gold Status member.

You can use the special hotline to make reservations, upgrades, seating preferences, or even to request special meals. You can also use it to claim rewards and purchase 500-mile electronic upgrades.

The Gold Hot Line phone number is 1-800-848-4653.But please note that if you are located outside of the continental US, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam, Saipan or the US Virgin Islands, you may need to contact your local American Airlines reservations office .

You will also have access to the exclusive service desk.

travel benefit award

Honestly, there aren't many award travel benefits for a Gold member as they are mostly reserved for Executive Platinums. For example, you do not get increased availability of award seats or a waiver of award change fees.

However, you can get special discounts on hotel and car awards.

benefits of a world

You don't get many alliance benefits as a Gold member, but you can get priority registration and retention with Gold Ruby status.

American Airlines Gold Status FAQ

last word

American Airlines Gold status is the lowest-tier elite status, so you can't expect too much from it. But it does offer some nice perks, like priority check-in and boarding, and it has some upgrade potential. I wouldn't pay hundreds of dollars for it, but I would gladly accept the status if my flying habits would lead me to get it.

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