We're nearing the end of October, which will be the 2-month advance notification mark for any changes in 2016. If we pass that, I think it may be safe that no major changes will be made, at least for the first 6 months of 2016.

I think introducing a deeper discount economy fare limiting mileage accrual/upgrade eligibility would be reasonable (not that AA cares what I think is reasonable--but I wouldn't be too upset)....

What would really be upsetting is a major change in award travel redemptions and required amounts (I guess devaluing miles) in addition to the deeper discount fares. That's the biggest draw to AAdvantage for me. Everytime I have to book a work trip, I see it as an investment in my leisure travel ^ :cool:

Like just dropping EQMs, leaving EQPs and segments (as many here have suggested; I'm pretty sure I suggested that right around the time the merger was announced)? If they make a change like this, there would be no reason I can think of to keep EQMs (unless EQPs in the discount buckets go down even more, to 50% of EQMs or 25% of miles flown).

They could also, of course, rename EQPs to EQMs and drop the current EQMs.

Correct.

The way it works currently is that fares on partner carriers that earn fractional EQM the EQM is still subject to the EQP multiplier: 1,000 miles flown with 50% EQM and 50% EQP already would confer 500 EQ (and redeemable) M and 250 EQP.

That would address several issues, including qualifying for status on the most discounted fares - which for EP would require actually flying 200,000 miles.

I'm thinking that reduced EQMs on deep discount economy might be coming. Also, with this causing less elites, lets face it many companies plan air travel no different than leisure flyers, will AA need such big F cabins on narrow bodies? Maybe why no announcement on MCE other than pmUS 319s. Could we be looking at a reconfiguration to 8 seats on 738s and 320s and 12 seats on 757s and 321s? (MD80s since they supposedly will exit the fleet over the next 2 years I would imagine would not get a reconfiguration under this POSSIBLE scenario).

Again, just my speculation.

Also, I think changes will be for earning status for calendar year 2017.

Still, there is nothing that precludes AA announcing fare classes with lower EQP/EQM with a booking/purchase date in 2016 just like UA and DL has done already in the past. Don't think of it as a calendar year thing. The minute anyone here thinks that AA will not announce something over the next few months with a booking start date maybe 3-6 months after that is way too naïve.

I think it does come down to how many AA elites use primarily these match fares for their travel. I think it is funny that the analysts think this is a new thing based on today's call when we all know that these match fares due to VX, Spirit and Frontier have been around for awhile. And to a lesser similar extend, LUS has been offering 1-stop flights cheaper than the non-stop on WN or related (I didn't see this as much on LAA).

Rasheed

There's already been a devaluation in my opinion. There have been numerous occasions where I've tried to redeem an NRT-LAX C class ticket and I hardly see mileage saver awards. You can get it if you go up to anytime awards.

The days where people mileage run to get the EQM and bonus miles....those days are winding down. Look at the trend: BA, QF, QR, and soon CX...it's all about rewarding passengers in the front.

I don't think AA will go tier points. As others have mentioned on here...perhaps raising the bar for EXP to 120K. 100% EQM on Y, B, and a few other sub classes. Everything else would be 50%, 25%, etc.

I'm really interested in what their plans are for earning miles on partner airlines. Those 5 airlines that I've mentioned make it less of an incentive to fly other oneworld airlines. Will AA follow?

On a side note. I thought I'd ask AA if they planned on any changes (not any specific details), to the program on various social media sites. Usually, they are very quick in responding to other questions I've asked, but to this matter they're very quiet.

I was weeded out of the system starting the 2013 calendar year. My reasons were not the destruction of the program but high airfares. The prices did not justify the mileage runs to top off what I couldn't get for business travel. So I am fortunate to have LT Plat and now I'm part of teh 87%

Not so much in the 87% that I fly 1X per year but I do fly now strictly based on price. Of course for personal travel I have to adjust for baggage fees, seat availability and all the other things I get free as a Plat on AA. However, I'm not longer married to Advantage.

It sucked the first year; it was really tough losing SWU's, free upgrades, the EXP line and all the other EXP goodies but by year two I was fine and now it just seems so long ago that it was like a dream and as I watch all these changes, its just shrugs now; AA just like the rest is a commodity and its all about cost and what flight is going to get me the most bang for the buck for the price paid

Makes sense. AA already does that (reward passengers up front) to an extent and blatantly promotes it, especially with EQP bonuses we've seen. If you're flying up front a lot on paid tickets, you're going to reach EXP in 50k BIS easily (just top of the head math, could be less). With regards to EQM, I can definitely see them raising the bar and making it tougher to collect.

With regards to awards availability, yeah you won't have your pick of any day you want whenever you want, but typically if you're 6+ months (often less if you're lucky) out or within a week or two of travel dates and somewhat flexible, you'll find what you want, this has been my experience at least. I haven't had issues finding things on IB, EY, CX (just J lately) and QR. Haven't booked on JAL but I've seen a lot when searching CX. Once you find the longhaul, they'll open the necessary domestic legs up for you when calling in. You probably already know all that but I think we have it good with the OW network vs the redemption rates DL or UA FF's are dealing with.

God, I hope not. AA doesn't have a network like United.
Plus, I have a bunch of paid biz class tickets on QR next January and February
Hope they don't devalue those.
I really don't think they will though, simply based on their network right now.

I would imagine (again, just speculating), that airlines that have a JV with AA such as AY, BA, IB, JL, and QF would have the same earning ratio. Airlines that don't such as CX, LA, QR, RJ, UL, etc earn less. Instead of earning 1.5 EQP in C, maybe you get 1.25 EQP and no elite bonus miles.

Again, I think that's the trend. Fly AA metal or JV partners and get awarded. Fly partners, get awarded but a little less.

Question for you. If you're flying QR, why don't you bank it with QR? I glanced at their FFP and looks really easy with only 600 tier points to get Emerald....especially if you're doing J/C class.

Honestly, I don't fly QR all that often . January - February just shook out that way.

Doing ARN - DOH - BKK
CMB - DOH - CPT

Reverse

All in I class. but this doens't happen every year. Plus, I fly AA to LHR then BA to MUC often.

I like the AA domestic upgrade policy!
Would hate to lose that by switching to QR FF program.

There has been something very exciting, almost magical about AA and AAdv. this year, especially in contrast to the nothing the DL/UA's FFPs have become...The EXP perks, the bonus EQPs and RDMs, the many fantastic J or Y deals, the great redemptions, the co-branded credit cards, the new planes, I am in a constant high and overspending, lol... This is a win win for everybody and hope it continues. If AA is smart will keep the magic going.

I shifted to CX as a result of the basic Y earn on CX versus AA and the fact I was never going to get to lifetime Platinum with AA. (Add in some AA customer service fails).

I wonder what effect CX's changes will have on the future of AA's program. For CX status earn in the Y and PEY cabin will become "very difficult". The ability to earn OW Sapphire flying Y/PEY with CX is becoming challenging.

One of the sweet spots in the AA program's status program has been the PEY cabin (QF/BA/CX) and there are still a few locations where the choice of that cabin makes financial sense (eg USA to Asia since it is either the AA code share or CX H class). I (hopefully) will have two more years of reasonable travel, so am hoping that AA's program changes will occur on or AFTER Feb 2016.

I cannot believe that AA is only looking that the UA/DL changes when their major OW partners (QF/BA/CX) are all making major changes as well.

Happy wandering

Fred

Does anyone know when they should announce any changes or if there will be? Last year changes were announced on October, 28th.