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  • Advertiser Disclosure: The credit card offers that appear on AwardWallet are from credit card companies from which we receive compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on AwardWallet (including, for example, the order in which they appear). AwardWallet does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers.

    Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of the bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

JT Genter

Editor-In-Chief
Distance Traveled in 2026
Visited in 2026

JT is AwardWallet’s Editor-In-Chief. JT originally joined the AwardWallet team in early 2020 as a freelance editor and writer, but he has been part of the points and miles ecosystem since 2014. Looking for a way to reduce the cost of a trip to China, he found he could sign up for just one credit card to get enough miles to fly round-trip for almost nothing out of pocket.

That experience prompted him to dive headfirst into the world of airline, hotel, and credit card points and miles. After working for a decade as a tax accountant, JT focused his analytical skills on writing about points, miles, and credit cards. He started contributing at The Points Guy in 2015 and published over 2,000 articles on the site before joining AwardWallet in early 2020.

In June 2017, JT and his wife Katie sold or donated nearly all of their possessions to become digital nomads, proving firsthand how points, miles, and credit card rewards can drastically reduce the cost of travel. JT has logged over 2.1 million miles on 115 airlines, visited 86 countries, and maintains elite status with 6 airlines (including British Airways Silver, Turkish Miles&Smiles Elite, Asiana Diamond) and 5 hotel loyalty programs (including IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Diamond, and Marriott Titanium Elite).

Why I’m No Longer Crediting Flights to the American Airlines AAdvantage Program
Why I’m No Longer Crediting Flights to the American Airlines AAdvantage Program
9

I've earned AAdvantage elite status each year since 2015 — including Executive Platinum elite status in all but one year. However, I'm giving up on it. After recent changes to American Airlines' elite status qualification, I'm going to switch, earning Oneworld elite status through another program. Here's what's finally causing me to "break up" with American Airlines and my new strategy going forward.

JT Genter
JT Genter
American Airlines (Re)Adds Free Award Changes for Certain AAdvantage Awards
American Airlines (Re)Adds Free Award Changes for Certain AAdvantage Awards
5

As part of its switch to dynamic award pricing, American Airlines sunsetted a flyer-friendly policy: Free AAdvantage award changes. Going forward, all AAdvantage awards would be treated like the now-retired Web Special awards. Today, American Airlines is reversing course. On certain eligible AAdvantage awards, you'll now be able to change your award flights without having to cancel, refund, and rebook your flights. Here are the details of this policy change.

JT Genter
JT Genter
The Winners and Losers of American Airlines First Class Upgrade Changes
The Winners and Losers of American Airlines First Class Upgrade Changes
1

Effective June 9, 2023, American Airlines is making some big changes to how complimentary upgrades work for AAdvantage elites. Starting then, all elite members will be eligible for complimentary upgrades on American Airlines award tickets. However, anytime there are changes to who gets a limited supply, there are going to be winners and losers. Let's dig into the details of what's changing and review who this benefits and who's losing out.

JT Genter
JT Genter
American Airlines Revamps Loyalty Rewards, Slashes Mileage Earnings Rate on Basic Economy
American Airlines Revamps Loyalty Rewards, Slashes Mileage Earnings Rate on Basic Economy
5

Today, American Airlines is announcing a slew of changes to how travelers earn rewards in the AAdvantage program. AAdvantage Gold requirements are increasing, mileage earnings on basic economy are decreasing by 60%, and American Airlines is adding several new rewards tiers — including a new one for members at just 15,000 Loyalty Points. Here's a breakdown of all of the changes.

JT Genter
JT Genter