I have to say, this is actually quite a stunning change and I'm a pessimistic guy by nature. Basically, discount premium economy across all OneWorld carriers earns no cabin bonus whatsoever. Full fare Premium Economy does, but few would book that given the price delta. International PE was a sweet spot in the previous system for earning EQDs via longer distances and earning 1.5 EQMs per mile (vs. 1 for standard econ).

Similary, Qatar, which was another sweet spot literally has no cabin bonus at all for discount business.

I played around with an example Qatar flight (business class) from IAH to DPS (Houston to Bali) to educate myself. In the current system that flight would earn ~39% of the required EQMs toward EXP and ~34% of the required EQDs toward EXP. In the new, LP system, same flight would earn you ~13% of EXP! That is actually a pretty stunning devaluation...

The same QR flight credited to BA rather that AA would earn you 40% of BA Gold (top tier, OneWorld Emerald)

I've been saying for years that "winter is coming" (to quote a rather famous show) to these programs, mostly only to be poo poo'd by many here, but I think it might actually be here.

I'm doubly shocked that AA is going this direction now, giving that both business and international travel are still quite weak.

Regards