I didn't say that; I was discussing miles, sensu stricto. But - it's all speculation until we hear something definitive. I do suspect those who qualify by segments may generate more revenue for AA than at least a subset ofbthose of us who qualify by EQ miles.

But there are several ways they could choose to slice this, in 2016 or announced for 2017.

I'm just hoping elite status doesn't go to a revenue system.

For someone like me, I have already experienced a 20% increase in the amount of flights that I have to obtain to get EXP. I am a segment flyer and I have already ponied up a 4 segment (not wanted/not desired/but have to) jaunt to Atlanta, just to get to 120. I'd be halfway to EXP this year if the increase wasn't there.

And oh yeah, I bought my son's ticket to school this summer because the redemption levels (for what should be a 25,000 mile rt) were just plain stupid to even consider (55,000).

Sounds like I am getting fleeced, but somehow staying with it, dang SWU upgrade bait.

I find it completely disingenuous bordering on deceitful ( is fraudulent to strong) to have an award chart on your website that does not include all of the award levels and makes no reference to another level. They publish redemption levels on the website for people to evaluate, then they try and sell you miles to take your money on the website and by email, yet they don't disclose that there is a third level to anytime awards and the miles published on the website are really not available on any flight any time like the website indicates. When does "puffing" become fraud?

This. But I'd rather RDMs not go to a revenue system either. All my travel is personal and thus the cheapest tickets out there.

Like a few others have said, I think that some devaluation has already started, based on my comparisons to award flight success in the past.

My search for coach class Saver Award flights for next spring break now only brings up mid-week options, if I find any at all, for three tix.

Ask Hilton; they've been doing exactly this longer than AA. Maybe not exactly, because an award can be nearly infinitely variable.

Well, they can always copy Delta and just eliminate any published chart altogether.

I agree with others here.The devaluation began a little over a year ago.SAAver awards in premium cabins disappeared nearly completely.The level of points required for AAnytime awards I often found meant you paid more if you bought points even with bonuses as against just buying a J fare.
No real need for another devaluation but it will surely happen.

You missed the spring break window long ago if just now looking.

Among other things, that's when they announced added award tiers, elimination of the North American gateway stopover, no more Explorer awards, etc. The infamous date was 8 April 2014.

No question about it. I was trying to redeem a NRT-LAX C ticket a couple months back. It was easy to get seats on HA for 50K but if I wanted to redeem on AA, nothing. However, if I wanted an anytime award, suddenly all the dates I wanted opened up.

Slightly off topic. Another guess I would make as far as an enhancement. I think it'll be more difficult to use the SWUs in the future. Won't be eligible to use them on sub Y fares.... to open up more upgrade opportunities for our most loyal customers...something along that line.

They need not look far, DL and UA have already put out all of their press releases on this matter. Copy and past in the new AA logo and it should all be good to go. Might as well nationalize the three into one giant airline and call it Amair or something along those lines, they'll be all the same anyway soon enough.

Same goes for flights to Hawaii from the West Coast - primarily AS, some HA.

Makes perfect sense: Drive saaver award redemption to partners, attempt to fill seats on higher margin routes with revenue passengers, anytime awards.

Book the partner award, set alerts on Expert Flyer for preferred flights on AA metal, change (complementary) if saaver inventory is released, typically less than 45 days prior to departure.

Just to chime in on the increasing scarcity of saver awards, I just booked a domestic Y round trip on DL for fewer miles than I could find on AA! Don't get me wrong, I still think AA's redemption options are the best out there in general, but I, too, am seeing less saver mileage inventory. This makes the reduced mileage awards that come with the AA credit cards, the best deal out there, even harder to snag.