AA is going after Delta and United fans

Goooood morning and welcome back to Daily Drop, where our miles and points game is better than MJ’s layup game.

Okay… maybe not. But have I ever claimed to be a sports expert?

Let’s change the topic…

• ✈️ AA joins the status match train

• 💺 Skip the lines (and get lounge access) at JFK airport

• 🌎 Where in the World Wednesday

✈️ AA joins the status match train

Another day, another airline trying to poach customers from Delta…

Last month we saw Alaska Airlines and JetBlue offer enticing status matches for salty Delta elites. Now, American Airlines is stepping up with a similar match for elites of both Delta AND United.

Here’s the deal:

• If you have elite status with United or Delta, you can match that status to American Airlines

• The level of status you get will depend on which level of status you currently have with Delta or United (more on that in a sec)

• The status will last for four months but can be extended if you meet certain requirements.

• You can request a status match by filling out the form on this page

Unfortunately, this match will only apply to the higher-ranking elites in each program.

The chart below lists out the elite tiers from United and Delta, along with which tier of elite status you’ll be given with AA.

Now once you have this temporary elite status, you’ll need to earn Loyalty Points to maintain that status.

If you only earn a modest amount of Loyalty Points in that time, you can even be demoted to a lower level of AA status, so it’s a fairly generous offer.

Here is the level of elite status you’ll earn based on the number of Loyalty Points you earn in that 4-month period:

• AAdvantage Gold status - 13,000 Loyalty Points

• AAdvantage Platinum status - 25,000 Loyalty Points

• AAdvantage Platinum Pro status - 42,000 Loyalty Points

• AAdvantage Executive Platinum status - 67,000 Loyalty Points

So even if you enjoy Platinum Pro or Executive Platinum status for four months, you could still come out at the end with Gold or Platinum status.

In case you aren’t aware of how to earn Loyalty Points with AA, it’s SUPER easy (which is the reason I love AA’s loyalty program so much).

I wrote a longer newsletter on the program that breaks down the many ways in which you can rack up Loyalty Points, most of which don’t even involve flying on a plane.

So if AA sounds more appealing to you in 2024 than Delta or United, this is another fantastic way to begin your new life with a less crappy program (that dig was intended for Delta, not United 😉).

💺 Skip the lines (and get lounge access) at JFK airport

If you’re like me, airport security can be a stressful situation. If you have to wait in the normal line, you probably freak out about missing your flight.

Or maybe you have this completely unreasonable fear that you accidentally packed something you shouldn’t have.

Thankfully, there are tons of ways that we travel hackers can avoid the stress of normal airport security altogether.

Many credit cards offer programs like Clear and TSA PreCheck, allowing us to hop the line and get through security in minutes.

But what if you don’t want to go through the hassle of registering for one of these programs?

Well, JFK Airport has got you covered with their VIP ONE service.

This has been around for years now, but here’s been a pretty exciting update.

In addition to offering an expedited security experience, VIP ONE at JFK Airport also now has a lounge.

Now, both the lounge AND expedited security line are accessible with Priority Pass, which opens the door for many of us to take advantage of this perk without needing to shell out tons of dough.

If you visit the Priority Pass website or app and search for JFK, you’ll see this service pop up as an option.

Don’t forget that TONS of credit cards come with Priority Pass memberships, most of which offer unlimited visits.

Furthermore, any guests you bring into the lounge will also be allowed to use the security line as well, which is great for families where not everyone has TSA PreCheck or Clear.

Overall, this is a fantastic development at an airport that can oftentimes be super crowded.

Check out our Top Cards Page if you want to explore some credit cards that offer Priority Pass as a perk.

🌎 Where in the World Wednesday

Get ready to pahk yah cah in Hahvahd Yahd in order to do some hardcore exploring. And no, this isn’t an obscure dialect from an isolated tribe in a far away land…

Rather, FareDrop is just taking us to BOSTON.

Ah, Boston, the land of chowder, accents that defy the laws of vowels, and a rich history that’s older than your grandpa.

Let’s take a tour of Beantown, shall we?

For starters, you can act wicked smart at Harvard. Start your intellectual journey by strolling through the university’s hallowed halls.

Even if you’re not a student, you can still walk around pretending you’re about to invent an uber eco-friendly car that runs on potato peels, or something.

Or better yet, a PLANE that runs on potato peels 👀

Plus, the campus is just gorg.

And history is big in Boston. Like, BIG. You gotta get your healthy dose of history by following The Freedom Trail—it’ll take you through 16 historically significant and interesting sites.

Oh, and then there are the Duck Boat Tours. Hop on, and you’ll see the city’s landmarks on wheels and in the water.

It’s like if a bus and a boat had a baby and it told you jokes along the way. Did I also just describe Daily Drop?

Next up is catching a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, where the seats are as narrow as your budget airline economy seats. But it’s worth it… right? Right.

I also personally love the Samual Adams Brewery tour. It’s the absolute best place to nerd out about beer and do plenty of sampling, of course.

You might even forget why you came in the first place 🥴

Obvi, I can’t list all the amazing things to see, do, and smell (?) in Boston, but hopefully these cheeky suggestions will get you started.

Let me know what I missed!

And remember, these cheap flights are sourced and brought to you by none other than FareDrop ❤️

If you want alerts to some of the best flight deals both domestically and internationally, sign up for FareDrop today!

Did you know that Daily Drop has a YouTube channel? Check out our latest video for some visual travel hacking tips.

In this week’s video, we’ll give you an inside peek at one of the world’s… weirdest… business-class seats. Check it out, it’s fun. 👇

Wooh! Another day of awesome travel hacks. Every time AA comes out with an offer like this, I always call my friends and tell them to jump on it.

I think AA’s loyalty program is the future of loyalty programs, and I think everyone should consider playing around with it.

But for now, I’ll let you get on with your day.

Take care and see you tomorrow ❤️

52°22'35.4"N 52°15'17.4"W