500 mile minimums apply to base miles. EQPs are calculated as a fraction of base miles, so there is a 250 EQP minimum for elites on AA/US on 0.5 EQP fares and a 500 EQP minimum on 1.0 EQP fares.

I do track it (in a spreadsheet), and this year, I have gotten 250 EQPs on <500 mile flights marketed by AS, BA, and US.

Some comment (limited) from this morning on this subject:

http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....yer-and-fares/

Jumping over from the Q3 earnings thread... a revamped frequent flyer program, you say?

I have a feeling "innovation" might mean "let's follow the herd"...but who knows

I don't believe that "revamp" quote was accurate.

I was quoting something said in the other thread...not any PR's

Belive me; I don't for a second believe any such "innovation" will = better for the majority of members. No sensible person would.

That said, the "revamp" quote-- if accurate-- would be far more telling. But until shown otherwise, I trust Gary's account of the quotes.

Yes, yes for sure-- just wanted to call attention to the fact that that quote might not be accurate, as it's a pretty big distinction. Definitely appreciate that it wasn't you doing anything other than referencing the other thread.

"Kirby said they believe AAdvantage is the best loyalty program in the marketplace and they ‘look forward to making it better’"

LOL. If you believe that one, I have some oceanfront property in Nebraska to sell you. ;)

Well, to be honest, Kirby didn't say better for who. He could have meant for AA..:p

When should we get some sort of confirmation ? Its almost November and I already have travel booked through April of next year. Before confirming anything else, I want to see these changes .

I'm with Gary on the idea that it is too late for AA to make any huge changes to AAdv elite status earning for 2016 flights.

I would imagine they'll wait until after Q4 earnings, announce it for action later 2016. Just speculation though. I could be very wrong.

I agree "better" might mean for AA lower costs of a program. I should think an announcement should be forthcoming by year end or very early 2016 at the latest. For me I am somewhat mentally preparing for what could be my last year of enjoying EXP-goodbye EXP desk, unlimited space available complimentary domestic upgrades, SWUs, no fee award changes and additional discounts on AC memberships-it was a blast while it lasted.

That is what my hope is.

Based on that article, I think they'll just have 0 EQM/EQP fares next year, and then adjust it sometime in 2016 .

Maybe I'm just getting my hopes up though.

It'll be fine if you're willing and able to drop some cash or you can generate miles and points at a whim with manufactured spend.

If anything, I think that the discounted P and J we've seen will continue. Airlines will get more sophisticated at filling those seats and pricing, but there's no reason why you shouldn't offer discounts on advance premium fares if you can't fill the cabin without doing that. The objective should be to fill the plane profitably.

What it's going to hurt is the FTer/blogger crowd that wants Krug benefits while spending Budweiser money on airplane fares. That's already been on a deathbed for a while with the rapid decline of the mileage run into irrelevancy. Manufactured spend is the new mileage run.

And where exactly are you going to flee to? BA? UA? DL? SQ? CX? LH? EK? There aren't a lot of programs where a mile flown on the cheapest fare is a mile any more.