Hello everybody,

My ongoing travel will be almost exclusively corporate paid economy and I will be trying to use miles to upgrade any long flights. I have just completed the "gold" challenge and my travel required for work can vary from almost nothing (eg. SNA/SJC) to monthly international flights. I want to make sure I maximize my chances for requalifying elite status in future years.

I'm looking at the AAdvantage website and I'm trying to figure out the difference between EQM and EQP.

Assumption: EQP = EQM * multiplier based on class of service

and I have a few questions

1. some fare classes (Transatlantic Q,O) or some routes on partner airlines earn no EQ Points, do they still earn EQM?

2. on flights less than 500 miles, miles get "topped up" to 500, how many EQP/EQM are earned on these flights? (actual mileage or 500)

3. Qualification for the 500-mile upgrades are based on EQM?

4. Plat and Gold Challenge based on EQP not EQM?

Thanks,
BL17