Originally Posted by
Cerebral
One thing that makes AA's program great, is that it is simple to understand. There are three different ways to qualify for elite status. Most business travelers don't want to spend a ton of time figuring out how a FF program works. If you move to a revenue based system, it does make the program more complex.
It is simple to add up segments or miles. When you have to multiply a factor by the miles based on ticket class it takes more time and effort. As it is, most loyatly programs have too many rules and exceptions. AAdvantage has a competitive advantage (for me) due to it's simplicity.
AA's system is much more complicated than anyone else's. With AA, you have three different counters that you conceivably pay attention to, and the one that is closest to your next tier may change over time. Systems like BA have a single measurement (tier points), while UA has a system that recognizes revenue by allowing for a boost to EQMs without requiring you to monitor a separate EQP mechanism to see how you're doing with your high fare purchases. (And the potential complication you mention for AA already exists--just take a look at the partner earning charts.)