FREQUENT FLYER GLOSSARY
Elite tier names and ladders
A tier ladder is a programme's sequence of membership levels from basic to top, each with its own name, threshold and benefits.
Reviewed by: Content review · Last updated:
Key takeaways
- Names vary: silver, gold and platinum are only common labels.
- Same-named tiers in different programmes are not equivalent; compare thresholds and alliance tiers.
- Where the source does not name a tier clearly, we show unknown.
- The table lists tiers from the lowest threshold up.
Why names matter less
One programme's gold may be easier to earn than another's platinum. What matters is threshold and benefits: how much you must fly, in what window, and what you get. Alliance tiers (Star Alliance Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus, oneworld Sapphire) are a better cross-programme reference.
Verified tier ladders
| Frequent flyer programme | Tiers (low to high) | Entry threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines AAdvantage | Tiers (low to high)AAdvantage Gold → AAdvantage Platinum → AAdvantage Platinum Pro → AAdvantage Executive Platinum | Entry threshold 40,000 Loyalty Points | SourceOfficial source |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Tiers (low to high)35K → 50K → 75K → Super Elite | Entry threshold 35,000 Status Qualifying Credits | SourceOfficial source |
| Flying Blue | Tiers (low to high)Silver → Gold → Platinum | Entry threshold 100 Experience Points | SourceOfficial source |
| Finnair Plus | Tiers (low to high)Silver → Gold → Platinum → Platinum Lumo | Entry threshold 15,000 Tier Points in current tracking period | SourceOfficial source |
| Infinity MileageLands | Tiers (low to high)Silver Card → Gold Card → Diamond Card | Entry threshold（30,000 Eligible Status Miles and 4 Qualifying EVA Air/UNI Air international flights) or 26 Qualifying EVA Air/UNI Air international flights | SourceOfficial source |
| Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles | Tiers (low to high)Silver → Gold → Platinum | Entry threshold 25,000 Status Miles or 25 Qualifying Segments | SourceOfficial source |
| Enrich | Tiers (low to high) | Entry thresholdUnknown | SourceUnknown |
| MS | Tiers (low to high)Silver → Gold → Elite → Platinum | Entry threshold 30,000 Tier Miles | SourceOfficial source |
| WestJet Rewards | Tiers (low to high)unknown → unknown → unknown | Entry threshold 4,000 Tier qualifying spend | SourceOfficial source |
| Oman Air Sindbad | Tiers (low to high)Silver → Gold | Entry threshold 500 Tier points | SourceOfficial source |
Only verified, published status records from 10 programmes are listed: American Airlines AAdvantage, Air Canada Aeroplan, Flying Blue, Finnair Plus, Infinity MileageLands, Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles, Enrich, MS, WestJet Rewards, Oman Air Sindbad. Other programmes are still being verified; tier names or windows the source leaves unclear show as unknown.
Related news
- Fortune Wings Club 10-month birthday members: register to earn up to 100% bonus tier points, and elite members can claim points upgrade vouchers
- From 2027, Atmos Rewards lets you choose how you earn: by distance, fare or segment
- Asiana leaves Star Alliance on 12/16: Asiana flights stop earning ShebaMiles and PhoenixMiles after 10/15
- Korean Air–Asiana mileage integration approved: flight miles convert 1:1, partner miles 1:0.82
- Frontier Miles Diamond threshold cut to 75,000 points; Silver and Gold thresholds rise in 2027
Sources and review
- shebamiles.ethiopianairlines.com
- sindbad.omanair.com
- www.aa.com
- www.aircanada.com
- www.egyptairplus.com
- www.evaair.com
- www.finnair.com
- www.flyingblue.com
- www.westjet.com
Every number comes from verified, published rules on this site, with originals archived in our knowledge base; anything unverified or unstated shows as unknown.
Reviewed by: Content review.