Originally Posted by RioFF
You say that Q points are based on miles earned. Does that mean for a 1000 mile AA flight in D that earns 1.25 miles and 1.5 Q points that you earn 1000 x 1.25 x 1.5 or a total of 1875 Q points?
Alas no. The calculation of cabin bonus and qualifying points are both based on the qualifying miles flown on a seqment.
Your D class example would yield for a no-status flyer 1000 qualifying miles, 1250 earned miles and 1500 Qpoints.
This subject to an underlying 500 mile minimum for shorter AA flights.
It gets more complicated with the discounted and deeply discounted economy fareson other OW carriers. For example an M class fare on Qantas will earn in the AA program, 0.5 qualifying miles for each mile in the segment but 1 Qpoint for each qualifying mile. Or 500 Qmiles and 500 Qpoints for the 1000-mile example. Minimums will also vary by carrier.
It is possible to accrue earned miles with non-OW (AA) partners, but other than on perhaps AS there will be no qualifying miles. The real experts can correct me here.
Status bonuses for Gold, Plat and EXP are also based on the Qmiles.
Hope that helps.
Happy wandering.
Fred