American Airlines’ AAdvantage program calculates elite status based on Loyalty Points, including those earned through credit card spending. Unlike traditional calendar-year programs, American’s elite qualification year runs from March 1st to February 28th, which often causes confusion about when spending counts toward the next status tier.
Key Takeaway: All credit card transactions that post to your account before the end of February count toward the current elite year, regardless of your statement closing date. This means that even if your statement doesn’t reflect the spending until March, as long as the charge fully processes before midnight on February 28th, it will apply to this year’s qualification.
This is crucial because most Loyalty Points post based on statement cycles, but the transition period between qualification years has an exception. Spending that hits your account in March, however, will immediately count toward the following year.
Credit Card Bonuses: American’s co-branded Citi cards offer additional Loyalty Point bonuses annually:
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: Earn up to 20,000 bonus points when reaching 50,000 and 90,000 Loyalty Points in a single year.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®: Earn up to 15,000 bonus points for every four qualifying American Airlines flights, up to three times per year.
These bonuses also reset on March 1st, aligning with the elite qualification year.
Why This Matters: Understanding this timing is essential for maximizing your elite status. If you’re close to a tier, strategically timing purchases before the end of February can make the difference. The program’s unique structure means that waiting until March to make purchases will delay those points from counting toward your current status.
“Unlike other months, American counts all spending that hits the account before the end of February toward status for the current year, and all spending as of March 1 toward the following year.”
With the end of the qualification year nearing, now is the time to ensure all credit card spending posts before February ends to maximize your Loyalty Points and secure your desired AAdvantage elite status.
