Originally Posted by Fanjet

I'm on the side who thinks this "AAdvantage change" has to deal with redemptions, not elite-level requirements. After all, why would you announce new, higher elite qualification minimums in a year in which you've reduced the normal elite qualification requirements due to low business demand? On the other hand, they could introduce (a la United) an option to attain elite status based soley on (higher) EQD amounts. But I would not categorize that as a change that is hard and brutal. In fact, I would consider it an improvement for flyers who can easily meet the EQD thresholds, but have a hard time doing so for the EQM/EQS ones.