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American Airlines: Buy Your Way to Elite Status? (But Should You?)
Published on January 19, 2026, 9:21 PM
American Airlines is testing the waters with a new, targeted offer that lets some AAdvantage members *buy* elite status all the way through March 2027! Keep an eye on your inbox because AA is sending out personalized offers. If you're not thrilled with your current status or eyeing a higher tier, this might seem tempting. Now, before you jump at the chance to flash that shiny elite card, a word of caution: most reports suggest these offers are pretty pricey. Whether it makes sense depends entirely on your travel habits and how much you value those perks like upgrades, priority boarding, and lounge access. It’s worth checking your offer, but do the math carefully to see if the cost pencils out compared to how much you'd normally spend to earn status the regular way.