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
Mar 24, 2015, 3:27 pm
#1066
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: AA PLT, AS 75K, DL DM, HY Globalist, HH Diamond, MC/RZ/SW Platinum, AB/UA Silver, WN CP
Posts: 1,122
They added that option last year when they standardized the pricing to what was already offered by AA. Unless you've got more miles than you could ever reasonably use (and/or are broke), it's a very expensive way to pay. It's the equivalent of more than 2.5x the regular cost (or an even greater difference if your credit card normally awards 2x miles for US/AA purchases).
Mar 25, 2015, 1:56 am
#1067
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: WFBF
Posts: 963
I am interested in using 500-mi upgrades or SWUs for upgrading to Hawaii. I'm currently US Chairman and wanted to use my CP certs for a trip to Hawaii this summer but the US rule is that you can't use them until a week before the flight, by which time all the business class seats may be gone.
So here's my question:
I apologize for being a newbie here (I have a small understanding of SWUs and practically no understanding about 500-mile certs), but what I want to know is if there are any special treatment for Hawaii itineraries (not so much general info about the two options, which I can read about elsewhere).
So here's my question:
- Once the FF merger occurs (apparently quite soon), will I be able to lock in future upgrades on Hawaii flights with 500 mile upgrades and/or SWUs?
- If both, what is the trade-off between using one or the other on Hawaii itineraries?
I apologize for being a newbie here (I have a small understanding of SWUs and practically no understanding about 500-mile certs), but what I want to know is if there are any special treatment for Hawaii itineraries (not so much general info about the two options, which I can read about elsewhere).
Mar 25, 2015, 9:53 am
#1068
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 398
Hello all,
I am sorry to ask such an ignorant question. If you can just point me to a FAQ, I'd very much appreciate it.
Anyway, I have an upcoming domestic trip outbound on 4/10 and returning on 4/15. The ticket is "marketed" by US; some of the legs are operated by AA and some by US. I am an AA Plat.
Do I have to do anything to get AA mileage credit on these flights? Should I expect EQM credit? I only have an AA account; do I need to sign up for a US account to get EQM credit for these flights?
Thank you so much for your help,
saunders111
I am sorry to ask such an ignorant question. If you can just point me to a FAQ, I'd very much appreciate it.
Anyway, I have an upcoming domestic trip outbound on 4/10 and returning on 4/15. The ticket is "marketed" by US; some of the legs are operated by AA and some by US. I am an AA Plat.
Do I have to do anything to get AA mileage credit on these flights? Should I expect EQM credit? I only have an AA account; do I need to sign up for a US account to get EQM credit for these flights?
Thank you so much for your help,
saunders111
Mar 25, 2015, 10:13 am
#1069
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DCA
Programs: AA PPro, Mariott Ambassador, B6 Mosaic, SBUX Gold, Best Buy Elite
Posts: 1,838
flying tomorrow on paid F back on Sat night, any reason to credit to AA rather then US, especially now that my status has been updated to EXP?
Mar 25, 2015, 10:30 am
#1070
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 58
Mar 25, 2015, 10:41 am
#1071
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,514
Hello all,
I am sorry to ask such an ignorant question. If you can just point me to a FAQ, I'd very much appreciate it.
Anyway, I have an upcoming domestic trip outbound on 4/10 and returning on 4/15. The ticket is "marketed" by US; some of the legs are operated by AA and some by US. I am an AA Plat.
Do I have to do anything to get AA mileage credit on these flights? Should I expect EQM credit? I only have an AA account; do I need to sign up for a US account to get EQM credit for these flights?
Thank you so much for your help,
saunders111
I am sorry to ask such an ignorant question. If you can just point me to a FAQ, I'd very much appreciate it.
Anyway, I have an upcoming domestic trip outbound on 4/10 and returning on 4/15. The ticket is "marketed" by US; some of the legs are operated by AA and some by US. I am an AA Plat.
Do I have to do anything to get AA mileage credit on these flights? Should I expect EQM credit? I only have an AA account; do I need to sign up for a US account to get EQM credit for these flights?
Thank you so much for your help,
saunders111
Mar 25, 2015, 11:04 am
#1072
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DCA
Programs: AA PPro, Mariott Ambassador, B6 Mosaic, SBUX Gold, Best Buy Elite
Posts: 1,838
but I wonder what will be more advantageous to me the miles or the EQPs. I have one other paid F flight booked in May. if they don't go back and recalculate EQPs for the weekend flight, I may come up short at the end of the year.
Mar 25, 2015, 11:07 am
#1073
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 78
Logged into my AA account this morning and to my surprise it reflects my new EXP status. I flew 85k on US last year (still showing as PLT on USair.com) and 20k on AA. Was surprised to see the update before the migration starts this weekend.
Mar 25, 2015, 11:12 am
#1074
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: NY
Programs: AA: ExPlat & 3MM; UA: 1k; KL: Plat 4 Life; Hyatt: Plat; SPG, Marriott, Hilton: Gold
Posts: 2,708
Exciting.
By the way, the card they show on the app when selecting 'view my card' is terrible. The level on the card is tiny font written diagonally in the distance. Ridiculous whoever came up with that idea and designed it
Mar 25, 2015, 11:33 am
#1075
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 58
That's a good point. I had interpreted the language as PQMs would transfer 1:1 to EQMs and they would calculate EQPs based on YTD activity, but I may be mistaken.
Mar 25, 2015, 11:41 am
#1076
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DCA
Programs: AA PPro, Mariott Ambassador, B6 Mosaic, SBUX Gold, Best Buy Elite
Posts: 1,838
Mar 25, 2015, 12:17 pm
#1077
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SOF
Programs: A3 Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 849
It was announced that when combining balances, every Dividend Miles EQM will turn into a EQP in AAdvantage. Thus, it is more advantageous to credit to US DM as you get 150% EQMs and with a 1:1 ration 150% EQP or 1.5 EQP per mile flown.
If you were to credit to AAdvantage, you get a max of 100% EQMs and a range of 50% to 150% EQPs.
Thus, for as long as DM lasts - which is a few more days, I would credit to US DM.
If you were to credit to AAdvantage, you get a max of 100% EQMs and a range of 50% to 150% EQPs.
Thus, for as long as DM lasts - which is a few more days, I would credit to US DM.
Mar 25, 2015, 12:39 pm
#1078
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 866
As a US elite unfamiliar with the AA program, what is the difference between EQMs and PQMs? All I know is that I've got two TATL flight in April and May in paid business. Under the US program I'd be earning 150% elite qualifying miles. If I understand this all correctly, I'll now only be earning 100% miles on my CLT-FRA and CLT-PHL-TLV trips? If so, getting to 50,000 or higher just got a lot harder....
What good are the 1.5 PQMs then?
What good are the 1.5 PQMs then?
Mar 25, 2015, 12:47 pm
#1079
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
As a US elite unfamiliar with the AA program, what is the difference between EQMs and PQMs? All I know is that I've got two TATL flight in April and May in paid business. Under the US program I'd be earning 150% elite qualifying miles. If I understand this all correctly, I'll now only be earning 100% miles on my CLT-FRA and CLT-PHL-TLV trips? If so, getting to 50,000 or higher just got a lot harder....
What good are the 1.5 PQMs then?
What good are the 1.5 PQMs then?
EQ Points are the multiplier AA has used for those who fly premium, as you do.
Deep discount fares earn 0.5 EQP; discounted economy earn 1.0 EQP. B, Y and premium fares earn 1.5 EQP. as class of service and status bonus miles are earned, the net for you is basically the same.
You can earn AA Platinum three ways: fly sixty segments or sufficiently to earn 50k EQM which you can currently do even flying deep discount coach, or fly as few as 33,334 miles to qualify with 50,000 Elite Qualifying Points. Net result for earning status for you? No change I can see.
Mar 25, 2015, 12:50 pm
#1080
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: AA PLT, AS 75K, DL DM, HY Globalist, HH Diamond, MC/RZ/SW Platinum, AB/UA Silver, WN CP
Posts: 1,122
As a US elite unfamiliar with the AA program, what is the difference between EQMs and PQMs? All I know is that I've got two TATL flight in April and May in paid business. Under the US program I'd be earning 150% elite qualifying miles. If I understand this all correctly, I'll now only be earning 100% miles on my CLT-FRA and CLT-PHL-TLV trips? If so, getting to 50,000 or higher just got a lot harder....
What good are the 1.5 PQMs then?
What good are the 1.5 PQMs then?