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american airlines announced Wednesday that the airline will hold spending requirements to earn elite mileage status constant for the third year in a row in 2027 in an effort to attract high-spending travelers and catch up with industry profit leaders. delta airlines and united airlines.
Delta Air Lines and United Airlines each said they would keep the criteria for elite status the same for 2026.
The airline offers Elite Loyalty Program members a variety of benefits in exchange for numerous flights with it and its partners, from early boarding and free checked baggage to free upgrades to larger cabins and airport lounge memberships. So is the use of co-branded credit cards.
In recent years, airlines have shifted their loyalty program models to reward travelers for their spending, rather than just the distance flown.
American Airlines also said it will add more milestone benefits between earned status tiers, such as two food and beverage coupons at the 15,000-point level and a subscription to the New York Times’ gaming and cooking platforms or the Times’ sports newspaper, The Athletic. The first level of elite status, Gold, is awarded for 40,000 loyalty points.
The airline is investing in new rooms and larger lounges, and on Tuesday announced it would begin offering free in-flight Wi-Fi, a plan announced last April.
American Airlines did not outline its adjustments. citibank The company announced it was removing Barclays as one of its credit card partners, but plans to announce the change later this year.
