I guess the example I'm referring to would look like this
LAX-HKG - lets just say its 7000 miles one way and I buy a J fare
LAX-JFK - lets just say its 2500 miles one way and I buy a deep discount fare
on UA I would earn (7000*2*1.5)+(2500*2*1.0)= 26,000 PQM
on AA I would earn either
(7000*2*1.0)+(2500*2*1.0)= 19,000 EQM (elite miles)
(7000*2*1.5)+(2500*2*.5)= 23,500 EQP (elite points)
for UA - I make UA Silver
For AA - same flights and same classes and same fares, I don't.
This is what would trouble me because I tend to fly a couple J fares and the rest deep discount personal/business fares
Just wondering if any other AA switchers from UA have come across this - it's tricky. If they made their earning like UA, I would fly right on over to AA in a heartbeat.
Originally Posted by
tom911
AA doesn't really have premier qualifying miles (PQM), if that's what you're referring to, and no spending minimum for their elite levels. It's points, miles or segments.
When I first looked at AA back in 2001, I thought I'd have to fly 200K to make EXP there, not knowing the difference between points and miles. Found out you get 50% points on discount economy fares, but 100% miles. I made EXP by flying 100K, just like I made 1K at UA by flying 100K. You can reach the other elite levels there by flying 25K (Gold) or 50K (Platinum). The 50K level comes with 100% bonus miles as does EXP.
Now, if you're going to do a challenge to fast track your AA elite staus, you do need to pay attention to points, as challenges are based on points and not miles. All the AA flyers I know qualify/requalify each year with miles. Anything with an AA flight number accrues 100% miles plus your elite bonuses.