Originally Posted by
Rivarix
Ah but that's where bulk fares come into play.
What you're paying is not transmitted to AA so AA will give you redeemable miles (RDM) based on class, miles flown and elite status.
As you can see below, the method is not 'fare' but 'distance - special fare'. For RDM, Q class gets 50% miles flown + 120% for being an AA OWE. I paid approx. $99 and got 1,529 miles. Using 'fare' method you mentioned above, I would've gotten approx. 600 miles because AA excludes taxes and fees when awarding miles base on fare. Accruing it to AM would've given me 348 because Q class earning is 25% of miles flown.
So in your ORD-LAX-HKG return example above (18,000 miles), assuming OP bought the cheapest discounted ticket (say O or Q or even B/Basic Econ), OP would would've gotten approx. 50% x 18,000 miles + 80% bonus (assuming OP's AA status is the equivalent of MPC GO/OWS) = 16,200 RDM when using bulk fare vs 4,500 AM miles. So yes, earning on the dAArkside is still better than AM even after the move to $-based multiplier assuming you know where to buy your ticket. Hence why I'm staying with AA and keep extending my 'holiday' away from MPC.
I assume this bulk fare of yours is through something like AAVacations or Citi Thank you points? Not everyone has access to these options...and neither are all fares/routings available.
Originally Posted by
dadamax
So both earning rdm and maintaining status with AA seems like the better option at this stage.
Best of luck. I just left AA (well, EXP requalified for 2018) for MPC. Of course everyone has different preferences on their FFP
Of course, I will miss the (50% chance) fantastic EXP desk/hotline. And unlimited award changes.