I wanted to discuss the specific impacts on RTW tickets of the AAdvantage changes, and in particular, the calculations as to how to optimize RTW tickets for AAdvantage members.

The two major changes that affect RTW tickets are: elite qualification changes, which starts 1/1/2016; and redeemable mileage award changes, which starts in late 2016 (date to be announced).

My understanding is that when booking in first or business, selecting AA codes results in earning 2 EQM per flight mile, while selecting a partner code results in earning 1.5 EQM per flight mile. So, selecting AA codes earns elite status faster and easier. Further, with the switch in how SWUs are awarded, earning more EQM means earning more SWUs (to a maximum of 8 SWUs for earning 200k EQM).

The details on the revenue-based redeemable mileage earning are not yet fully published, but a senior AAdvantage Customer Service agent told me that AA coded flights would earn miles based on revenue, while partner coded flights would earn using flight miles and a multiplier based on the booking code. So, it would seem that for flights after this change, booking a partner code may result in earning more miles, while booking an AA code results in more EQM.