FORT WORTH, Texas - As a gesture of appreciation to its most loyal customers, American Airlines announced today that it is extending the elite-status memberships for AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum and AAdvantage Gold members through February 2003.

“During this most difficult time in our history, we are grateful for the support of our customers, and in particular those who travel with us most frequently,” said Mike Gunn, American’s executive vice president - Marketing and Planning. “Extending the memberships of our elite AAdvantage members is a way of saying thank you for their friendship, and we hope we will have the opportunity to continue serving them.”

Elite memberships are normally earned for a one-year period based on annual travel on American Airlines, American Eagle and select AAdvantage partner airlines. This extension applies to all memberships that would have expired in February 2002. Instead, these memberships are now valid through Feb. 28, 2003. The airline said it will be providing more details to members shortly and will continue to send new credentials to those who achieve a higher membership level by Dec. 31, 2001.

American urged its elite members to log onto its AA.com Web site and update their profiles so they can be assured of receiving periodic e-mail updates on schedules and travel procedures.

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