American Airlines Is Handing Out Free Gold Status Onboard—While United Courts Its Chicago Customers

Pointify is tracking this program change for the points-and-miles community.

An American Airlines manager boarded a flight in Chicago with a surprise for a passenger: a personalized card offering free Gold elite status. Flight attendants were being shown how to deliver the gifts, with about 25 cards in the manager’s batch that day. It’s a small gesture in a much bigger fight with United over which airline Chicago travelers choose next.