I'm trying to run scenarios to see if this is correct. Am I wrong in my calc's/assumptions below?
Example for a current Gold member:
PHL-SFO = 2521 miles @ $300 per roundtrip (fare + carrier fees)
Fly 5 roundtrips=25210 EQMs + 1500 EQDs
**not eligible for gold status qualification until spending $1500 more
Award Miles earned: $300 x 5 RT's x 7 (gold bonus) = 10,500 award miles
So, despite flying 25,210 EQMs...I will only be earning 10,500 redeemable award miles and still be 1500 shy of the EQD qualification level of Gold.
That's a pretty hefty change. But I suspect in a year or two the elites will thin out due to this. Or Plats and ExPlats will be downgraded to Gold if they are racking up a lot of miles on cheap tickets.
More like $260 ($300 minus fees/taxes) x 5 RTs x 7 miles per dollar = 9,100.
And you still need $1,700 more spend to qualify for gold.