Oct 28, 2014, 7:12 am
Last edit by: JDiver
HELP: JUST THE FACTS / FAQs: Combined AA/US AAdvantage FFP 2014 on
PLEASE NOTE: this thread has been re dedicated for "JUST THE FACTS" in an attempt to raise the signal to noise ratio, allowing members to find germane information about the AAdvantage program (merged pre-merger AAdvantage, and Dividend Miles, now under way) program and get factual answers to your / frequently asked questions from experienced members.
REACTION DISCUSSION: Combined AA/US AAdvantage program announced Oct 2014 – opinions
Please use the thread started for impressions, opinions, reactions, feelings, concerns, etc. and keep this thread for "JUST THE FACTS" and ACTUAL REPLIES. And of course, feel free to add new facts and findings to this wiki for members' ease in finding information on the new FFP.
Thank you, the AA fora moderation team
REACTION DISCUSSION: Combined AA/US AAdvantage program announced Oct 2014 – opinions
Please use the thread started for impressions, opinions, reactions, feelings, concerns, etc. and keep this thread for "JUST THE FACTS" and ACTUAL REPLIES. And of course, feel free to add new facts and findings to this wiki for members' ease in finding information on the new FFP.
Thank you, the AA fora moderation team
AAdvantage loyalty program in 2015 - LINK
The AAdvantage program will continue to offer three elite status levels – AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum and Gold – and you’ll still have three ways to qualify with elite-qualifying miles, points and segments. On January 1, 2015, the segment qualification requirement for Executive Platinum will move to 120, and the current 100 segment threshold will continue until December 31, 2014.
Three tiers:
- Executive Platinum - 100k EQM / 100k EQP / 120 Segments
- Platinum - 50k EQM / 50k EQP / 60 Segments
- Gold - 25k EQM / 25k EQP / 30 Segments
Elite Status Benefits:
- AAdvantage elite status members receive select reciprocal benefits to enrich their travel journey when flying on US Airways.
- This includes upgrades on US Airways on the day of departure when available, First/Business Class check-in, priority through security checkpoints, priority boarding, complimentary checked bags, access to preferred seats, and priority baggage delivery for Executive Platinum and Platinum members.
- Upgrades will still be different on American and US Airways flights until we have a single reservation system at the end of 2015. For now, continue flying and enjoying reciprocal benefits and the ability to earn and redeem miles on both carriers. We’ll keep you updated as we move forward with other important integration milestones.
Million Miler Program:
- 1 Million combined miles - Lifetime Gold Status
- 2 Million combined miles - Lifetime Platinum Status
Upgrades on American: https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/AAdvantage2015/index.jsp#500mile
- All flights 500 miles and under, no stickers needed and are complimentary regardless of elite status for the elite members.
- Complimentary upgrades will be auto requested for all elite levels at booking. Non complimentary upgrades (aka those needing 500mi stickers) will have to be requested manually.
- No complimentary upgrades for Y/B fares for Gold/Platinum anymore (unless flight is 500 miles or less)
- Companion Upgrades still will require 500mi stickers to be used.
- 8 SWUs for EXP level and EXPs still will not earn 500mi stickers to use for companions.
2015 - January Updates:
- Executive Platinum and Chairman's Preferred members enjoy complimentary same-day confirmed flight changes on American, a new benefit
- Redeem all your Special Dividends by early 2015; qualification ends in December 2014
2015 - 2nd Quarter Updates:
- Move to three elite status levels in the AAdvantage program – Gold, Platinum and Executive Platinum
- Qualify for elite status based on elite-qualifying miles, segments or points
- Receive a 100% mileage bonus if you're a Dividend Miles Gold or Platinum member who becomes AAdvantage Platinum
- Redeem miles for AAnytime awards and mileage upgrade awards on both American and US Airways marketed and operated flights
- Upgrade on American marketed and operated flights before day of departure
On March 13 2015, AAdvantage sent a letter to members saying "we're on track to bring the US Airways Dividend Miles® program into the AAdvantage program within the next 30 days."
N.B. The previous thread discussing the putative, pre-announcement AAdvantage program, entitled "Speculation and discussion of what the new merged FFP might look like (consolidated)" can be found here; it has been closed and archived.
Some useful resources:
FT:Airport Terminal, Gate & Counter Changes
Link to Gary Leff's "View from the Wing" interview with AA's Suzanne Rubin
Link to TravelingBetter with JonNYC's information.
Clarifying contact from AA provided by jmachin:
We want to address all your concerns. Thank you for responding to our most recent email.
I apologize for the delay in answering. I wanted to discuss the point you raised with our executive team and get you a correct answer.
When our frequent flyer programs are combined sometime in the second quarter of 2015, if your 2014 combined elite-qualifying activity meets the requirements for AAdvantage Executive Platinum status, then your AAdvantage account will be updated with Executive Platinum status. The requirements for 2014 are 100,000 elite-qualifying miles, 100,000 elite-qualifying points, or 100 elite-qualifying segments, with at least 4 segments flown on American Airlines or US Airways.
This means that if you end 2014 with 107 elite-qualifying segments and at least 4 of those segments were American Airlines or US Airways flights, then you will receive Executive Platinum status when the programs are combined. Until that point, you will have Dividend Miles Preferred Platinum status.
Please be aware, beginning in 2015, the segment requirements will be 120 segments to re-qualify for Executive Platinum status. We look forward to having you as an AAdvantage Executive Platinum member!
Regards,
Kathleen L.
AAdvantage Customer Service
American Airlines.
I apologize for the delay in answering. I wanted to discuss the point you raised with our executive team and get you a correct answer.
When our frequent flyer programs are combined sometime in the second quarter of 2015, if your 2014 combined elite-qualifying activity meets the requirements for AAdvantage Executive Platinum status, then your AAdvantage account will be updated with Executive Platinum status. The requirements for 2014 are 100,000 elite-qualifying miles, 100,000 elite-qualifying points, or 100 elite-qualifying segments, with at least 4 segments flown on American Airlines or US Airways.
This means that if you end 2014 with 107 elite-qualifying segments and at least 4 of those segments were American Airlines or US Airways flights, then you will receive Executive Platinum status when the programs are combined. Until that point, you will have Dividend Miles Preferred Platinum status.
Please be aware, beginning in 2015, the segment requirements will be 120 segments to re-qualify for Executive Platinum status. We look forward to having you as an AAdvantage Executive Platinum member!
Regards,
Kathleen L.
AAdvantage Customer Service
American Airlines.
HELP: JUST THE FACTS / FAQs: Combined AA/US AAdvantage FFP 2014 on
Oct 28, 2014, 10:00 am
#211
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: ORD, sadly...
Programs: AA Exec Plat
Posts: 599
I don't understand all the angst about the loss of the 75K tier. As I understand it, here's what US Platinum fliers got before:
Whereas, here's what AAdvantage Platinum gets (differences in bold/strike-through):
So it seems like you're complimentary upgrades for sticker upgrades, losing 24 hours in terms of the upgrade window, and losing the confirmed move to an earlier flight for free or to buy a full Y ticket on 24 hours notice. On the other hand, you get 25% more RDMs.
The swap from complimentary to sticker is a philosophical change more than an upgrade or a downgrade. You'll note that a lot of people on the AAdvantage side prefer it. I certainly liked being able to pick my spots when I was Platinum, knowing that I'd have a greater probability of upgrading on the flights that I really cared about. In any case, even if there was a 75K tier, this change would likely have applied so it's unrelated to the loss of the 75K level.
The other three changes (72 vs 96 hour upgrade window and loss of Move Up and buying a full Y ticket on a full flight) seem really minor to me, and probably more than offset by the bigger RDM bonus. To me all the grousing about the lack of a Platinum level seems really petty in the face of a program that appears much, much better than any other domestic option in the US for next year.
- Free upgrades at 96 hours out
- 75% mileage bonus
- 2 free bags and priority baggage handling
- Reserve preferred seats
- Some sort of priority reservations line
- Guaranteed full-fare availability if booked 24 hours in advance
- Priority check-in, boarding, etc.
- No award processing or close-in fees
- Priority standby
- Confirmed move to an earlier flight (within 6 hours) for free
- $400 club membership
Whereas, here's what AAdvantage Platinum gets (differences in bold/strike-through):
- Sticker upgrades at 72 hours out
- 100% mileage bonus
- 2 free bags and priority baggage handling
- Reserve preferred seats
- Some sort of priority reservations line
Guaranteed full-fare availability if booked 24 hours in advance- Priority check-in, boarding, etc.
- No award processing or close-in fees
- Priority standby
Confirmed move to an earlier flight (within 6 hours) for free- $400 club membership
So it seems like you're complimentary upgrades for sticker upgrades, losing 24 hours in terms of the upgrade window, and losing the confirmed move to an earlier flight for free or to buy a full Y ticket on 24 hours notice. On the other hand, you get 25% more RDMs.
The swap from complimentary to sticker is a philosophical change more than an upgrade or a downgrade. You'll note that a lot of people on the AAdvantage side prefer it. I certainly liked being able to pick my spots when I was Platinum, knowing that I'd have a greater probability of upgrading on the flights that I really cared about. In any case, even if there was a 75K tier, this change would likely have applied so it's unrelated to the loss of the 75K level.
The other three changes (72 vs 96 hour upgrade window and loss of Move Up and buying a full Y ticket on a full flight) seem really minor to me, and probably more than offset by the bigger RDM bonus. To me all the grousing about the lack of a Platinum level seems really petty in the face of a program that appears much, much better than any other domestic option in the US for next year.
Oct 28, 2014, 10:02 am
#212
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: US CP, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver.
Posts: 325
I hope that has all changed but we'll see. There is a thread in the US side of the forum tilted "Changes to the Move Up Program (and not for the better)" which spells out how this benefit was changed a couple years ago at US and all the loopholes required.
Oct 28, 2014, 10:08 am
#213
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: MCI
Programs: AAdvantage ExecPlat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 316
Oct 28, 2014, 10:09 am
#214
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat
Posts: 205
I was under the distince impression that under OneWorld member rules AA was only allowed three frequent flyer membership tiers and not four. Please correct me if this is not the case.
If this is the case, then how do the US members expect AA management to remain in Oneworld and have four tiers or are they expecting AA to leave OneWorld (which would not make financial sense) to permit the (75K) fourth tier.
If this is the case, then how do the US members expect AA management to remain in Oneworld and have four tiers or are they expecting AA to leave OneWorld (which would not make financial sense) to permit the (75K) fourth tier.
Oct 28, 2014, 10:09 am
#215
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: ORD, sadly...
Programs: AA Exec Plat
Posts: 599
Not sure if the current US rule will carryover or not but the US program only allowed a "Move-Up" to an earlier flight at no charge if the flight you wanted to change to was 6 Hours or less from your scheduled flight. Also, you couldn't move up to a confirmed flight if you were connecting to another segment which meant that the benefit was only useful if you were terminating at a hub or if you were moving up to a flight from a hub to your destination. Simply put if you were going from XXX thru a hub to YYY you couldn't leave XXX earlier to get to YYY earlier.
I hope that has all changed but we'll see. There is a thread in the US side of the forum tilted "Changes to the Move Up Program (and not for the better)" which spells out how this benefit was changed a couple years ago at US and all the loopholes required.
I hope that has all changed but we'll see. There is a thread in the US side of the forum tilted "Changes to the Move Up Program (and not for the better)" which spells out how this benefit was changed a couple years ago at US and all the loopholes required.
Oct 28, 2014, 10:11 am
#217
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: AUS, GVA, and in between
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 178
I don't understand all the angst about the loss of the 75K tier. As I understand it, here's what US Platinum fliers got before:
The other three changes (72 vs 96 hour upgrade window and loss of Move Up and buying a full Y ticket on a full flight) seem really minor to me, and probably more than offset by the bigger RDM bonus. To me all the grousing about the lack of a Platinum level seems really petty in the face of a program that appears much, much better than any other domestic option in the US for next year.
The other three changes (72 vs 96 hour upgrade window and loss of Move Up and buying a full Y ticket on a full flight) seem really minor to me, and probably more than offset by the bigger RDM bonus. To me all the grousing about the lack of a Platinum level seems really petty in the face of a program that appears much, much better than any other domestic option in the US for next year.
Oct 28, 2014, 10:11 am
#218
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: ORD, sadly...
Programs: AA Exec Plat
Posts: 599
Oct 28, 2014, 10:13 am
#219
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
Programs: AA EXP 2.8m,Lifetime PLT, Hilton Diamond, IHG PlLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 3,191
I am just happy that they did not change the EQM requirement, I could never make it on segments. It is going to be an interesting year to come..lets see what DP brings.
Oct 28, 2014, 10:13 am
#220
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
I was under the distince impression that under OneWorld member rules AA was only allowed three frequent flyer membership tiers and not four. Please correct me if this is not the case.
If this is the case, then how do the US members expect AA management to remain in Oneworld and have four tiers or are they expecting AA to leave OneWorld (which would not make financial sense) to permit the (75K) fourth tier.
If this is the case, then how do the US members expect AA management to remain in Oneworld and have four tiers or are they expecting AA to leave OneWorld (which would not make financial sense) to permit the (75K) fourth tier.
Oct 28, 2014, 10:16 am
#221
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Platinum, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,039
Questions about the stickers from a US Gold...
-If a flight is 501 miles, do I need to burn 2 500-mile stickers to get upgraded?
-When looking to redeem stickers, when I book a flight, do I need all the stickers necessary in my account at that point? Or at the point of the upgrade period a few days before the actual flight?
-If you put in an upgrade request with stickers, are the stickers withdrawn from your account immediately? Or after the flight?
-If my upgrade doesn't clear, do they put the stickers back in my account?
-If I have a multi-segment trip, can I request the upgrade for only specific segments? Or does it have to be all of them?
-If a flight is 501 miles, do I need to burn 2 500-mile stickers to get upgraded?
-When looking to redeem stickers, when I book a flight, do I need all the stickers necessary in my account at that point? Or at the point of the upgrade period a few days before the actual flight?
-If you put in an upgrade request with stickers, are the stickers withdrawn from your account immediately? Or after the flight?
-If my upgrade doesn't clear, do they put the stickers back in my account?
-If I have a multi-segment trip, can I request the upgrade for only specific segments? Or does it have to be all of them?
Oct 28, 2014, 10:17 am
#222
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
I am not sure why there are any surprises here. AA announced at the beginning of the year that US Dividend Miles accounts would be moved to the AA Advantage Program in 2015. I interpreted that to mean that the AAdvantage was the combined FF program. All we have here is a few tweaks - like no stickers for <500 miles. But pretty much AAdvantage as it currerntly is (with a few enhancements).
The US Dividends Miles program is going away as it was announced almost a year ago.
The US Dividends Miles program is going away as it was announced almost a year ago.
Oct 28, 2014, 10:19 am
#223
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Oct 28, 2014, 10:20 am
#224
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 425
I get that the former AA fliers on here are really happy that there will be almost no changes made to the system you know. But this board would be a lot more harmonious a place if people would just take a minute to realize just how the US flier feels about these changes. Instead of constantly trying to tell us that our inferior product just got better when there is a very clear, mathematically provable devaluation.
Last edited by dml105; Oct 28, 2014 at 10:28 am