View Poll Results: The AAdvantage changes announced 6 Jun 2016 will
incentivize me to fly AA more, as I benefit overall
27
3.55%
cause me to buy premium over discount AA fares
26
3.42%
not impact my travel on AA in the balance
128
16.82%
make me choose AA or a competitor, depending on itinerary
181
23.78%
make me become an independent agent
221
29.04%
cause me to join another airline's FF program
178
23.39%
Voters: 761. You may not vote on this poll
Jun 6, 2016, 10:31 am
Last edit by: JDiver
AAdvantage Changes Announced 6 Jun 2016 - REACTION, DISCUSSION
This thread is dedicated to "REACTION, DISCUSSION" of the changes announced June 6, 2016.
For "JUST THE FACTS", please use JUST THE FACTS: EQD, status tier, upgrade changes as of 6 Jun 2016
Link to AAdvantage Program Updates page on aa.com.
Link to Gary Leff's "View from the Wing" blog article on these changes.
Link to Ben "Lucky" Schlappig's take in "One Mile at a Time" on View From the Boarding Area
Summary of changes:
aa.com: Unknown but intended: aa.com updated to show EQM, EQD and RDM/AW for your convenience when booking and in your account for keeping informed about your accruals.
Change to earning Award / Redeemable Miles to revenue based begins (see FT thread)
Bonus award miles "More Miles" for premium cabin discontinued
For travel beginning August 1, 2016
Earn award miles based on your ticket price and elite status on American-marketed flights.
You earn miles on the base fare plus carrier-imposed fees minus government-imposed taxes and fees. The more you spend (and the higher your elite status level) the more you’ll earn.
On most flights marketed by partner airlines, you'll earn award miles based on a percentage of the flight distance and the fare class of your ticket. Rates will be available by July 15.
NOTE: this also pertains to "special fares", such as those purchased through AA Vacations. (not AA language)
You earn miles on the base fare plus carrier-imposed fees minus government-imposed taxes and fees. The more you spend (and the higher your elite status level) the more you’ll earn.
- AAdvantage® member – 5 miles for every U.S. dollar
- Gold member – 7 miles for every U.S. dollar (40% bonus)
- Platinum member – 8 miles for every U.S. dollar (60% bonus)
- Platinum Pro - 9 miles for every U.S. dollar
- Executive Platinum member – 11 miles for every U.S. dollar (120% bonus)
NOTE: this also pertains to "special fares", such as those purchased through AA Vacations. (not AA language)
1 Jan 2017:
Status earning to have EQM/EQS criteria AND "EQD" revenue spend requirement
In addition to the (same as 2016) required EQM or EQS, to earn status one will have to also earn "Elite Qualifying Dollars" / "EQD" spend credit as follows (during the calendar year):
"EQDs will be awarded based on:
Ticket price (base fare plus carrier-imposed fees, excluding any government-imposed taxes and fees) on American-marketed flights
EQD calculations will not include change fees and similar (premium seats, baggage, etc.) charges.
Flights marketed by oneworld® carriers and Alaska Airlines will earn EQDs based on a percentage of the flight distance and the fare class purchased (as may "special fares" - not AA language)
NOTE: EQD offset may be earned by spend on Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Red and Silver cards (added language not from AA)
With the addition of EQDs, we’ll remove the rule that 4 segments must be traveled on American or American Eagle during the qualifying year to receive elite status."
Ticket price (base fare plus carrier-imposed fees, excluding any government-imposed taxes and fees) on American-marketed flights
EQD calculations will not include change fees and similar (premium seats, baggage, etc.) charges.
Q. Do checked bag fees, seat purchases, 500-mile upgrades or other products/service fees count toward earning award miles and EQDs?
No, only the base fare paid for your ticket including any carrier-imposed fees will count toward earning award miles and EQDs. Fees for other products or services will not be awarded miles or EQDs, including but not limited to the following: checked baggage fees, Admirals Club® memberships, Wi-Fi passes, in-flight food and beverage purchases, in-flight entertainment, unaccompanied minor fees, pet travel fees, 500-mile upgrades, mileage upgrade cash co-payments, Mileage Multiplier, BuyMiles, GiftMiles, ShareMiles or other mileage purchases, ticket change fees, ticketing fees, same-day confirmed flight change or standby fees and service charges. (Thanks to ty97.)
No, only the base fare paid for your ticket including any carrier-imposed fees will count toward earning award miles and EQDs. Fees for other products or services will not be awarded miles or EQDs, including but not limited to the following: checked baggage fees, Admirals Club® memberships, Wi-Fi passes, in-flight food and beverage purchases, in-flight entertainment, unaccompanied minor fees, pet travel fees, 500-mile upgrades, mileage upgrade cash co-payments, Mileage Multiplier, BuyMiles, GiftMiles, ShareMiles or other mileage purchases, ticket change fees, ticketing fees, same-day confirmed flight change or standby fees and service charges. (Thanks to ty97.)
NOTE: EQD offset may be earned by spend on Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Red and Silver cards (added language not from AA)
With the addition of EQDs, we’ll remove the rule that 4 segments must be traveled on American or American Eagle during the qualifying year to receive elite status."
- Gold - $3,000
- Platinum - $6,000
- Platinum Pro - $9,000 (beginning 1/1/17)
- Executive Platinum - $12,000
NOTE: Concierge Key is treated as a higher status tier than Executive Platinum for upgrade Priority, but is not otherwise an AAdvantage status tier.
Change from three status tiers to four - new 75K "Platinum Pro" added
"In 2017 you can start earning toward a new level, Platinum Pro, with benefits like:
- Complimentary upgrades on flights in 500-mile upgrade markets
- Earn 9 award miles/U.S. dollar (80% bonus)
- 2 free checked bags
- oneworld® Sapphire status
- 72 hour upgrade window
February 2017
Introduction of highly restricted AA Basic Economy fares. FT link.
These will accrue 0.5 EQM, 0.5 EQS, will not permit rollaboard size / overhead baggage (only one personal item) unless you have status, no upgrades permitted, etc.
"Late" 2017:
Change to upgrade priority to EQD-based priority
"The way your upgrade request is prioritized will change later in 2017. You’ll be listed according to your elite status level followed by the number of EQDs earned in the last 12 months."
Executive Platinums able to upgrade MC / coach award flight (On flights 500 mile upgrades are usable, courtesy upgrades; priority within EP by last 12 month EQD spend).
"Starting later in 2017, Executive Platinum members can use their complimentary 500-mile upgrade benefits on AAdvantage® award tickets for travel on American from Main Cabin to the next class."
Peripheral issues:
AA Vacations: AA Vacations packages (like partner airline tickets) will earn EQD, EQM, and RDM/AW based on the distance flown as determined by the fare class purchased. This is in accordance with the "Special Fares" section of the new EQD earnings pages, and confirmed here
EQD requirements will apply to non-US residents as well as US as currently exists
EQD requirements can be partially offset by spend on Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Red or Silver cards.
Partners (AS and oneworld): accrual of EQM as reflected on charts on aa.com; EQD credit to be announced (15 Jul 2016)
Status: AA has no current plans to add "Lifetime Platinum Pro" status.
Resources:
GLOSSARY:
EQD: Elite Qualifying Dollars (base fare + carrier imposed fees, - government imposed taxes and fees)
EQM: Elite Qualifying Miles (accrual depends on fare basis, airline and miles flown)
EQS: Elite Qualifying Segments (discrete qualifying segment credited by AA)
Platinum Pro: new tier beginning 1/1/17 requiring $9,000 EQD and 75,000 EQM or 90 EQS in one calendar year
For links to new threads about these and other recent changes affecting AA flyers, see below.
Link to AAdvantage Program Updates page on aa.com.
Link to Gary Leff's "View from the Wing" blog article on these changes.
Link to Ben "Lucky" Schlappig's take in "One Mile at a Time" on View From the Boarding Area
Link to Andy's take on the Award Miles earning changes on View From the Boarding Area.
Links to useful threads:
GUIDE: Earning EQD / Elite Qualifying Dollars on AA and partner airlines (2017 on)
GUIDE: Earning AA Elite Qualifying Miles / EQM on AA, oneworld, partner airlines 2017
GUIDE: Earning AA Award / Redeemable Miles / RDM on AA, partners 1 Aug 2016
HELP DESK: Elite Qualifying EQD, EQM & Award / RDM Calculations & Planning 2017
AAdvantage® earning estimates - FAQ (aa.com)
(aa.com "AAdvantage program updates" - link)
Link to FT thread: What are AA Platinum Pro Benefits? Are they worth it? (master thread)
Link to FT thread: oneworld not requiring connecting protection or interline baggage 1 Jun 2016
Link to ARCHIVE: "Speculation about upcoming changes tba 6 Jun 2016"
Updated 6 Jan 2012 - JDiver
REACTION, DISCUSSION: EQD, status tier, upgrade changes as of 6 Jun 2016
Jun 6, 2016, 10:41 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SLC
Programs: DL PM, Hilton/Marriott Gold
Posts: 971
Jun 6, 2016, 10:41 am
#18
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, AA EXP
Posts: 1,140
It says the addition of EQDs has removed the 4 AA segment requirement for status. However, even though we don't know yet exactly how EQDs will be earned on other Oneworld airlines, presumably this means it becomes theoretically possible to earn AA status with no AA flights?
Jun 6, 2016, 10:42 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
Jun 6, 2016, 10:42 am
#20
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Beantown! (BOS)
Programs: AA PtPro (2 MM); Hilton Diamond; Hertz President Cr; DL SkyMiles; UA MileagePlus
Posts: 3,437
So far it is not the end of the world… I think I can live with that. I think I will stay with AAdvantage and see how this will work out for me. Looks like for people who fly more on partner airlines than AA have to wait till July 15 to see how much of change for them.
I am curious to see how new “Basic Economy” fare will fit into mile earning and elite qualifying scheme. Any idea when this new “Basic Economy” will be introduced? It is possible that “Basic Economy” will not earn award miles or elite qualifying miles. Also possible that fare paid for “Basic Economy” will not be added to EQD… It is possible that “Basic Economy” will not be part of this new AAdvantage program at all. Then what will be the minimum fare which will be part of AAdvantage program?
I am curious to see how new “Basic Economy” fare will fit into mile earning and elite qualifying scheme. Any idea when this new “Basic Economy” will be introduced? It is possible that “Basic Economy” will not earn award miles or elite qualifying miles. Also possible that fare paid for “Basic Economy” will not be added to EQD… It is possible that “Basic Economy” will not be part of this new AAdvantage program at all. Then what will be the minimum fare which will be part of AAdvantage program?
Jun 6, 2016, 10:43 am
#21
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Austin, TX - AUS
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott
Posts: 1,625
More incentive for me to buy J/F on the airline which offers the best price/schedule/value, instead of buying Y on AA and hoping for an upgrade. Probably what AA prefers, but that means I may purchase J/F on another airline instead of AA.
Jun 6, 2016, 10:44 am
#22
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,570
I guess I have to be grateful that availability of MCE is not spend-based for plats...yet. Going to be at the very bottom of the upgrade list of EXP's until 1/31/18 and then same place in the plat upgrade list thereafter.
Had a lovely Jet Blue flight last month: friendly FA's and GA's, passengers seemed calm and content. Also, really liked how UA handles lines at the gate. This branching out to other carriers might not be all bad.
Had a lovely Jet Blue flight last month: friendly FA's and GA's, passengers seemed calm and content. Also, really liked how UA handles lines at the gate. This branching out to other carriers might not be all bad.
Jun 6, 2016, 10:44 am
#23
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Chicago
Programs: United 1k, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat
Posts: 231
No idea why all the major US airlines are happy to maintain the homogeneity with their loyalty programs. What's the point in ever switching if there's an increasing lack in difference between them?
Jun 6, 2016, 10:45 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
Nothing really new or innovative here (even the name of their new fourth tier is really derivative). I'll be making Platinum this year thanks to a international Business Class trip and I'll have no chance to keep it next year, but I may make a run for Platinum Pro just for fun and because I'll be close.
On another note, I am glad I'm a Million Miler, at least I'll keep some status no matter what my spend. Even in a good year it's rare I spend more than $2000 on AA.
On another note, I am glad I'm a Million Miler, at least I'll keep some status no matter what my spend. Even in a good year it's rare I spend more than $2000 on AA.
If I reach 75,000 EQMs or 90 EQS during 2016, will I qualify for Platinum Pro in 2017?
No, qualification for Platinum Pro does not begin until January 1, 2017 and requires meeting the minimum EQD threshold in addition to the EQM or EQS threshold.
No, qualification for Platinum Pro does not begin until January 1, 2017 and requires meeting the minimum EQD threshold in addition to the EQM or EQS threshold.
Jun 6, 2016, 10:46 am
#26
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Jun 6, 2016, 10:47 am
#27
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SLC
Programs: DL PM, Hilton/Marriott Gold
Posts: 971
12 cents per mile EQD is not bad. And the upgrades get better. Three improvements I see:
- No longer being at the bottom of the list when booking last minute is nice.
- Upgrades on award travel.
- In the odd year I don't make EXP, I still get unlimited upgrades (at much lower priority, of course) as Platinum Pro (ugh, that name!).
- No longer being at the bottom of the list when booking last minute is nice.
- Upgrades on award travel.
- In the odd year I don't make EXP, I still get unlimited upgrades (at much lower priority, of course) as Platinum Pro (ugh, that name!).
Consultant (typing on Surface Pro): "So you're onboard with a new 75k elite tier?"
Marketing guru (doodling on iPad Pro): "Yeah, I'm baffled on what to call it though"
Developer (sitting at a 1995-vintage Sabre terminal rockin' a Pentium Pro): "Just let me know when you come up with a name so I can get it coded in the system"
Jun 6, 2016, 10:48 am
#28
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,514
I am curious to see how new “Basic Economy” fare will fit into mile earning and elite qualifying scheme. Any idea when this new “Basic Economy” will be introduced? It is possible that “Basic Economy” will not earn award miles or elite qualifying miles. Also possible that fare paid for “Basic Economy” will not be added to EQD… It is possible that “Basic Economy” will not be part of this new AAdvantage program at all. Then what will be the minimum fare which will be part of AAdvantage program?
A NOTE FOR OUR MEDALLION MEMBERS:
When flying on a Basic Economy fare, Medallion members will continue to enjoy waived baggage fees, Priority Check-in, Priority Boarding and Medallion mileage bonuses. However, please note Medallion members will not receive paid or Complimentary Upgrades to first class, paid or complimentary Preferred Seats, or paid, or complimentary Delta Comfort+™ when flying on a Basic Economy fare.
When flying on a Basic Economy fare, Medallion members will continue to enjoy waived baggage fees, Priority Check-in, Priority Boarding and Medallion mileage bonuses. However, please note Medallion members will not receive paid or Complimentary Upgrades to first class, paid or complimentary Preferred Seats, or paid, or complimentary Delta Comfort+™ when flying on a Basic Economy fare.
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...c-economy.html
Jun 6, 2016, 10:49 am
#29
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Beantown! (BOS)
Programs: AA PtPro (2 MM); Hilton Diamond; Hertz President Cr; DL SkyMiles; UA MileagePlus
Posts: 3,437
I am little worried that those can be taken away by introduction of “Basic Economy” fare. Those benefits can become spend-based benefit by introduction of "Basic Economy." Is it possible that we have to buy higher fares to participate in AAdvantage program?
Jun 6, 2016, 10:49 am
#30
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: AA EXP, AS MVP Gold, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Platinum
Posts: 142
Welp, it was a good run while it lasted. When the next air recession hits, they will realize how stupid of a move this was. Main thing that differentiated AA from the other major carriers was their excellent FF program. However, instead of being a leader, they followed. The problem is Delta is a much better airline compared to AA.