Is Executive Platinum on American Airlines Worth It?

This is something I have thought about often since the Platinum Pro level was introduced. What is the benefit of going for Executive Platinum rather than just sticking with Platinum Pro, which gives most of the same benefits as Executive Platinum.

The only reason that this is even a question is because both of these levels are considered ‘Emerald’ in the oneworld program. In the oneworld program ‘Ruby’ equates to Gold with American Airlines, ‘Sapphire’ matches to Platinum and ‘Emerald’ covers both Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum. What this means, is that outside of the USA, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum are basically treated the same. They can both use the same check-in counters, fast track facilities, access the same lounges and get the same boarding priority (except when traveling on an American Airlines flight).

Within the USA, when flying on American Airlines, there are a couple of differences. The first is that Executive Platinum will always get Group 1 boarding regardless of the cabin being flown in. Platinum Pro will get Group 2 boarding if they are not flying First Class. The main reason why the boarding group matters is that it will most likely ensure that anything you need to stow in the overhead bins will be above your seat. The reality is that if you are boarding in groups 1 or 2 then stowing luggage shouldn’t be an issue anyway.

	Platinum Pro	Executive Platinum
Standard Boarding Group	Group 2	Group 1
Upgrade Window Opens	72 Hours	100 Hours
Status Mileage Bonus	80%	120%

The second main difference between Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro is when the window for possible upgrades opens. Everyone with status on American Airlines is eligible for complimentary upgrades from the main cabin to the next class of service on all domestic flights and select international destinations, such as Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City) and the Caribbean, when seats are available.

For Executive Platinum, the window for possible upgrades opens 100 hours before the flight departs. For Platinum Pro, the window opens 72 hours before departure. This means that there is a 28-hour window when Executive Platinum passengers could get an upgrade before Platinum Pro passengers become eligible. It is worth remembering that the upgrade window for Concierge Key, American’s top invitation only status, opens at 120 hours before departure. Each time a new upgrade window opens eligible passengers are competing for any available upgrades based on American’s methodology for awarding them.

This benefit is really going to depend on where you are departing from and where you are traveling to. For me, living in Dallas, I think I’ve been upgraded at the 100-hour window mark maybe twice in the last five years. This is because, being in a hub city, there are likely going to be more passengers that are either Concierge Key or with a higher number of Loyalty Points than I have. Additionally, the majority of my domestic flights are usually going to Los Angeles, New York or Chicago which also have a higher likelihood of the first class cabin being sold out before the upgrade window opens. Most of the time I end up on the waitlist on the day of travel. Even then I’d say my upgrade success rate is maybe around the 15%-20% level these days.

The last main difference, and probably the one matters most, certainly to me, is the difference between the Loyalty Points, and mileage, awarded on flights operated by American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia. Loyalty Points earned on the other partner airlines are calculated differently. They are based on the distance flown and class of travel rather than the cost of the flight and the status of the passenger.

Loyalty Points are awarded based on the eligible AAdvantage miles earned from a flight. However, the number of miles and Loyalty Points awarded are the same. Base Loyalty Points are awarded at a rate of 5 Loyalty Points per $1 spent on the ticket (excludes government imposed taxes & fees).

Then there is a bonus assigned for each different status level. Platinum Pro earns an 80% bonus, meaning that they will earn 8 Loyalty Points per $1 spent (5 * 1.8). Executive Platinum earns a 120% bonus, which will yield 11 Loyalty Points per $1 (5 * 2.2). For a ticket that costs $1,000, exclusive of government taxes & fees, a Platinum Pro would earn 8,000 Loyalty Points and an Executive Platinum would earn 11,000 Loyalty Points. This can certainly add up over the course of the year if you take enough flights on American Airlines, British Airways or Iberia.

When I think about it rationally, I have a hard time justifying why I shouldn’t just go for Platinum Pro and not worry about Executive Platinum. This would allow me to fly more on other non-oneworld airlines. Previously, the thing that kept me going for Executive Platinum were the 4 systemwide upgrades that you could get from reaching that level. On several occasions I also flew enough extra miles to earn an additional 4 systemwides, so I had 8 in total.

After American changed the program again last year, the most systemwide upgrades you can earn by making it to Executive Platinum is 2, from collecting 175,000 Loyalty Points. To earn more than that, you have to make it to at least the 250,000 Loyalty Point mark. That would allow you to get an additional 4 systemwides, for a total of 6.

I think that if you know you can make it to the 250,000 Loyalty Point level it absolutely makes sense to go for it. I personally think that the value of the 6 systemwide upgrades makes it completely worthwhile. But if you aren’t going to be able to make it to 250,000 Loyalty Points, I don’t place enough value on 2 systemwide upgrades to justify continuing much past the 125,000 Loyalty Points needed for Platinum Pro.

I guess I’ll have to see where I am at the end of February 2025 to see if I heeded my own advice or whether I let my heart rule my head.