in the number of miles needed for awards. During this time, miles, which originally had no expiration, began to have an expiration of three years, later reduced to 18 months, where an account would be closed if there was no activity during this time. In 2005 American Airlines joined other major U.S. carriers in introducing an online shopping portal allowing shoppers to earn AAdvantage miles when shopping online. In 2016, AAdvantage began crediting miles based on the amount of the airfare, not the distance traveled. This change was accompanied by increases in miles needed for an award. In 2022, American Airlines simplified the method of keeping track of earning miles for AAdvantage status. It was formally required to keep track of three metrics: EQM (Elite Qualifying Miles), EQS (Elite Qualifying Segments), and EQD (Elite Qualifying Dollars). The update replaced the three metrics with a single metric: Loyalty Points. Besides flying, members can use their AAdvantage credit card for purchases. Membership tiers There are five membership tiers in AAdvantage: standard, Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum. Gold status requires 30,000 Loyalty Points. Gold status confers priority boarding, expedited security, complimentary same-day standby, discounted Admirals Club membership, and the ability to earn and redeem 500-mile upgrades. All fares receive one free checked bag. Gold status also confers a 40% mileage bonus to all flown segments, a 500-mile minimum on each segment, complimentary auto-requested upgrades on flights 500 miles or less, complimentary preferred seats, 50% off Main Cabin Extra seats (complimentary at check-in), 24-hour upgrade window for flights over 500 miles with the ability to upgrade one companion traveling on the same flight with 500-mile upgrades. Gold status provides oneworld Ruby status when flying a oneworld partner airline. Platinum status requires 75,000 Loyalty Points. Platinum status confers priority boarding, expedited security, priority baggage delivery, complimentary same-day standby, discounted Admirals Club membership, and the ability to earn and redeem 500-mile upgrades. All fares receive one free checked bag except flights to many Central American and Caribbean nations, for which a $25 fee still applies. Platinum status also confers a 60% mileage bonus to all flown segments, a 500-mile minimum on each segment, complimentary auto-requested upgrades on flights 500 miles or less, complimentary preferred seats, complimentary Main Cabin Extra seats, 48-hour upgrade window for flights over 500 miles with the ability to upgrade one companion traveling on the same flight with 500-mile upgrades. It