Originally Posted by sdsearch

ordinary ("redeemable") miles -- these, not points, is what you get in many ways; these don't help you qualify or requalify miles that you earn from "regular" partner airlines, credit cards, rental cars, dining, bonus miles, promos, e-shopping, etc. go here

Elite-Qualifying Miles (EQMs) -- these you only get by flying, and they help you requalify, but don't count for the Challenge Flights on AA and elite-qualifying airline partners go here

Elite-Qualifying Points (EQPs) - these you also only get by flying, but at different rates than miles, depending on the class of service of the ticket you buy, and these are what count in the Challenge number of points you earn is based on fare basis code of the actual flight you took