Jan 3, 2016, 11:18 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Earning Elite Qualifying Miles / EQM (and AA status) earning in 2016
on American Airlines and its partner airlines
on American Airlines and its partner airlines
Note: Earning EQM / Elite Qualifying Miles and their purpose changed 1/1/2016
Please continue discussion in our 2017 version of the thread:
Earning AA Elite Qualifying Miles / EQM on AA, partner airlines 2017
Thanks!
/Moderator
New Elite Qualifying Miles earning
link to AAdvantage program changes for 2016 on aa.com
"You’ll continue to earn EQMs based on the airline and booking class purchased. Plus, Full-fare Economy, Business Class or First Class tickets on American-marketed flights will earn EQMs at a higher rate (up to 2.0 or 3.0 EQMs per flown mile) – getting you to elite status faster." - aa.com
Caveat: other than on American Airlines, discount or deep discount economy fares may be credited with fractional or even no EQM / Elite Qualifying Miles. Read carefully.
Please see this page (link) on aa.com for earning AAdvantage miles flying oneworld and additional airline partners, then read the chart for that airline partner. Be sure to note some fares operated by oneworld and additional partners may earn full, partial or no AA miles (E.g. Cathay Pacific only earns AA miles on H, B and full Y fares in coach; BA and IB fares may earn as few as 0.5 EQ Miles per mile flown as of 1 Feb 2016.)
Link to AAdvantage program update page on aa.com
link to AAdvantage program changes for 2016 on aa.com
"You’ll continue to earn EQMs based on the airline and booking class purchased. Plus, Full-fare Economy, Business Class or First Class tickets on American-marketed flights will earn EQMs at a higher rate (up to 2.0 or 3.0 EQMs per flown mile) – getting you to elite status faster." - aa.com
Caveat: other than on American Airlines, discount or deep discount economy fares may be credited with fractional or even no EQM / Elite Qualifying Miles. Read carefully.
Please see this page (link) on aa.com for earning AAdvantage miles flying oneworld and additional airline partners, then read the chart for that airline partner. Be sure to note some fares operated by oneworld and additional partners may earn full, partial or no AA miles (E.g. Cathay Pacific only earns AA miles on H, B and full Y fares in coach; BA and IB fares may earn as few as 0.5 EQ Miles per mile flown as of 1 Feb 2016.)
Link to AAdvantage program update page on aa.com
Read The AAdvantage Terms and Conditions here
Glossary:
- Award mile ("RDM" often "Redeemable Mile" on Flyertalk): a unit that can be spent on an award, such as a bonus, purchased, or other AAdvantage mile.
- Base mile: A unit based on a flown mile (can be a percentage of flown miles on AA partners) used to calculate redeemable (award usable) miles (changes late 2016 to revenue based system)
- Bonus Mile: Award Mile earned through various activities including flying, credit card use, hotel stays, auto rentals, shopping etc. with various American Airlines partners. See Earning AA Award / Redeemable Miles / RDM on AA, partners later 2016.
- Elite Qualifying Mile (EQM): A unit used to earn status, based on flown miles X purchased class of service for the marketing airline. On AA coded flights you earn from 0.5 EQM on Basic Economy to 3.0 full undiscounted J and F.
- Elite Qualifying Segment (EQS): A unit used to earn status equivalent to a sector flown by a qualifying flight (but note when the same flight number is flown over two or more sectors the entirety will generally count as one segment. "You’ll still earn 1 EQS (Elite Qualifying segment) for each eligible segment you fly." - aa.com (NOTE: New Basic Economy fares only earn 0.5 EQS.)
- Flown mile: actual miles flown (as published by AA - Great Circle Mapper, etc. are close
- Marketing airline is the airline "plating" or issuing the boarding pass, e.g. QF operated by FJ. The marketing airline's chart on aa.com (not the airline's) determines your miles earning on airline partners.
- Operating airline is the airline operating the flight. except for AA and QF (and a very few others) to earn miles on a oneworld marketed flight, the operating airline must generally be a oneworld airline.
- Qualifying flight: an AA or partner flight on which one can earn EQM, EQS in this instance
AAdvantage Status Four Annual American Airlines Segment Requirement
*Must fly at least four segments on American Airlines during the qualifying year to receive elite status. no longer a requirement as of 1/1/2027.
- AA marketed flights / AA codeshares operated by other carriers count. It has been reported codeshares operated by American Airlines also count.
On American Airlines marketed flights: (AA flights operated by AA and AA codeshares)
Exceptions: There are certain airline ticket types that are not eligible for mileage accrual regardless of the booking class. These include, without limitation, the following:
- 3 EQMs/mile – Full-fare First or Business
- 2 EQMs/mile - Discount First or Business
- 1.5 EQMs/mile – Full-fare Main Cabin, or W Premium Economy on AA codeshares
- 1 EQMs/mile - Discount Main Cabin
- 0.5 EQMs/mile - Basic Economy fares (new Feb 2017)
- All tickets issued as AAdvantage awards
- Other free ticket promotions including free or reduced rate tickets
- Companion tickets
- Charter flight tickets
- Travel agency/industry reduced rate tickets
- Infant tickets
- Items occupying a purchased seat (e.g. XTRASEAT)
- (Also Extra seats purchased by a passenger for him/herself)
- Unpublished fare tickets, including consolidator fares
- Tickets issued subject to special provisions
Earning EQM on AA partner airlines:
The amount of EQMs you earn on partner airlines has changed. Earning rates will vary depending on the marketing airline. On qualifying flights of airlines other than AA marketed flights, the maximum EQM that can be earned is 1.5 EQM per base mile flown.
EQMs may be earned at different rates and with differing fare classes, depending on airline, flown miles and fare class. Not all partner airlines' or their fares earn EQM. See here to partner airlines' miles earning charts link on aa.com.
Some non-oneworld partner airlines award only award / redeemable miles, not EQM (e.g. Etihad, Gulf, Fiji), unless flying them as an AA or QF marketed ("codeshare") flight.
Explore our partner airlines (link)
For example, using BA / British Airways marketed flights operated by oneworld partners including AA, as of 1 Feb 2016:
The amount of EQMs you earn on partner airlines has changed. Earning rates will vary depending on the marketing airline. On qualifying flights of airlines other than AA marketed flights, the maximum EQM that can be earned is 1.5 EQM per base mile flown.
EQMs may be earned at different rates and with differing fare classes, depending on airline, flown miles and fare class. Not all partner airlines' or their fares earn EQM. See here to partner airlines' miles earning charts link on aa.com.
Some non-oneworld partner airlines award only award / redeemable miles, not EQM (e.g. Etihad, Gulf, Fiji), unless flying them as an AA or QF marketed ("codeshare") flight.
Explore our partner airlines (link)
For example, using BA / British Airways marketed flights operated by oneworld partners including AA, as of 1 Feb 2016:
- 1.5 EQMs/mile - BA all published, purchased First Class fares
- 1.5 EQM / EQMs/mile - BA all published, purchased Business / Club fares
- 1.5 EQM / EQMs/mile - BA all published, purchased premium economy / Traveller Pus fares
- 1.0 EQM / EQMs/mile - BA all published, purchased full economy / Traveller Y and B fares
- 0.5 EQM / EQMs/mile - BA all other published, purchased economy / Traveller fares
AAdvantage Elite minimum mileage guarantee (applies to EQM and RDM)
How is the 500-mile EQM minimum benefit applied for elite members?
If your flight is less than 500 miles we’ll raise the base EQM amount to 500 prior to applying any multipliers, according to the booking code purchased. After applying the multiplier, the number of EQMs awarded could be less than 500. For example, if your flight is 300 miles in length, we will raise the base EQM amount to 500. If the multiplier to be applied is 0.50, you will earn 250 EQMs for the flight.
Elite members will earn at least 500 (250, in reality - see immediately above) miles for flights under 500 miles on American Airlines and American Eagle (including codeshare flights booked as an American Airlines flight number) and participating AAdvantage and oneworld airlines: *LAN includes LAN Airlines, LAN Argentina, LAN Ecuador and LAN Peru. Minima seem to not apply to new Basic Economy fares.
The 500 EQM minimum is what multipliers should be applied to, not actual miles when flown miles are under 500. See:
Earning AA Elite Qualifying Miles / EQM on AA, oneworld, partner airlines 2016.
aa.com: link
How is the 500-mile EQM minimum benefit applied for elite members?
If your flight is less than 500 miles we’ll raise the base EQM amount to 500 prior to applying any multipliers, according to the booking code purchased. After applying the multiplier, the number of EQMs awarded could be less than 500. For example, if your flight is 300 miles in length, we will raise the base EQM amount to 500. If the multiplier to be applied is 0.50, you will earn 250 EQMs for the flight.
Elite members will earn at least 500 (250, in reality - see immediately above) miles for flights under 500 miles on American Airlines and American Eagle (including codeshare flights booked as an American Airlines flight number) and participating AAdvantage and oneworld airlines:
- airberlin
- Alaska Airlines
- British Airways
- Fiji Airways (non-oneworld; RDM only)
- Finnair
- Gulf Air (non-oneworld; RDM only)
- Iberia
- LAN*
- Qantas
- Royal Jordanian
- SriLankan Airlines
- TAM Airlines
The 500 EQM minimum is what multipliers should be applied to, not actual miles when flown miles are under 500. See:
Further confirmation of above from inside AA. He (JonNYC) got a message from AAdvantage
Cheers.
So, they will do an adjustment for those that were shorted so far and the system will soon be fixed for real.
Cheers.
Originally Posted by JonNYC Vie
That's what I'm told as well-- fix on the way, system not operating as intended at present.
Further confirmation of above from inside AA. He got a message from AAdvantage
That's what I'm told as well-- fix on the way, system not operating as intended at present.
Further confirmation of above from inside AA. He got a message from AAdvantage
Originally Posted by AAdvantage
Thanks for your questions on EQM earning. There is a glitch in how the minimum mileage guarantee for EQMs is being calculated. The calculation should credit the 500 mile minimum before applying the EQM multiplier. Beginning in the next few weeks, we will be running a retroactive process to “true up” any accounts where the member did not earn the proper number of EQMs. This process will continue to run until the calculation can be reprogrammed in the AAdvantage system.
So, they will do an adjustment for those that were shorted so far and the system will soon be fixed for real.
Thanks for your questions on EQM earning. There is a glitch in how the minimum mileage guarantee for EQMs is being calculated. The calculation should credit the 500 mile minimum before applying the EQM multiplier. Beginning in the next few weeks, we will be running a retroactive process to “true up” any accounts where the member did not earn the proper number of EQMs. This process will continue to run until the calculation can be reprogrammed in the AAdvantage system.
So, they will do an adjustment for those that were shorted so far and the system will soon be fixed for real.
So, they will do an adjustment for those that were shorted so far and the system will soon be fixed for real.
Cheers.
aa.com: link
Elite Qualifying (EQM) or Redeemable (RDM)?
To determine if you earn EQM or RDM, read the "Earn miles" statement for each airline:
This will earn EQM:
This will not earn EQM, only RDM:
To determine if you earn EQM or RDM, read the "Earn miles" statement for each airline:
This will earn EQM:
Earn miles
Earn elite-qualifying AAdvantage miles when you fly on airberlin marketed and operated flights as well as airberlin codeshare flights operated by American Airlines. Simply:
Earn elite-qualifying AAdvantage miles when you fly on airberlin marketed and operated flights as well as airberlin codeshare flights operated by American Airlines. Simply:
- Buy an eligible published fare ticket booked in an eligible code
- Fly an eligible route
- Specific flights, routes or cities that are excluded from earning miles or award travel are listed as exceptions if applicable.
Earn miles
Earn AAdvantage miles when you fly on Fiji Airways marketed and operated flights as well as Fiji Airways codeshare flights operated by American Airlines. Simply:
Earn AAdvantage miles when you fly on Fiji Airways marketed and operated flights as well as Fiji Airways codeshare flights operated by American Airlines. Simply:
- Buy an eligible published fare ticket booked in an eligible code
- Fly an eligible route
- Specific flights, routes or cities that are excluded from earning miles or award travel are listed as exceptions if applicable.
oneworld Codeshares Operated by non-oneworld Airlines or Affiliates
Other than flying Qantas (and some Japan Airlines) codeshares / marketed flights, oneworld codeshare flights must be operated by oneworld airlines and their oneworld affiliates to earn miles.
E.g. AA codeshare operated by EY, earn as if flying AA.
E.g. Flying EY, earn Redeemable (not Elite Qualifying) miles.
E.g. BA operated by Bangkok Airways, no AA miles.
E.g. Iberia operated by SN yields no AA miles.
E.g. QF flown by FJ should to earn EQM.
Other than flying Qantas (and some Japan Airlines) codeshares / marketed flights, oneworld codeshare flights must be operated by oneworld airlines and their oneworld affiliates to earn miles.
E.g. AA codeshare operated by EY, earn as if flying AA.
E.g. Flying EY, earn Redeemable (not Elite Qualifying) miles.
E.g. BA operated by Bangkok Airways, no AA miles.
E.g. Iberia operated by SN yields no AA miles.
E.g. QF flown by FJ should to earn EQM.
Examples: (For a flight of 1,000 flown miles)
- AA marketed on full F fare class First: 3,000 EQM (regardless of status, regardless of operating airline)
- AA marketed on discounted First or Business (A, P, D, I, R): 2,000 EQM
- AA in deep discount economy: 1,000 EQM
- BA marketed qualifying flight in F First, Business (Club), Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus): 1,500 EQM (even if operated by AA)
- BA marketed qualifying flight in Economy (World Traveller) B, Y: 1,000 EQM
- BA marketed qualifying flight in Economy (World Traveller) H, K, L, M, N, S, V, G, O, Q: 500 EQM
NOTES:
- All AA marketed ("AA codeshares") flights in paid, qualifying fare classes earn 1.0 or more EQM (regardless of "metal" or operating airline
- oneworld marketed flights operated by oneworld airlines earn miles in accord with the marketing airline's miles earnings chart on aa.com (link)
- AAdvantage elites continue to be awarded 500 EQM minimum on qualifying flights - see above (non-elites also earn minimum 500 EQM on Shuttlesonly through the first half of 2016)
- oneworld marketed flights operated by NON-oneworld airlines do not earn EQ (or any) miles, with rare exceptions - QF, a few JL, marketed flights
- Exception: Qantas flights operated by other airlines earn AA EQ miles in qualifying fare classes, other than those QF codeshares operated by QF subsidiary Jetstar
- Some airline partners allow crediting base miles and earning redeemable miles (no EQM) flown "natively", such as Etihad or Fiji
Earn more EQMs via credit card earning
Also, as a Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive card or AAdvantage® Aviator™ Silver MasterCard® credit cardmember, you’ll still earn 10,000 EQMs after you reach your qualifying spend for the year when you use your eligible AAdvantage credit card.
Learn more about the Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive card
Learn more about the AAdvantage® Aviator™ Silver MasterCard®
Also, as a Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive card or AAdvantage® Aviator™ Silver MasterCard® credit cardmember, you’ll still earn 10,000 EQMs after you reach your qualifying spend for the year when you use your eligible AAdvantage credit card.
Learn more about the Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive card
Learn more about the AAdvantage® Aviator™ Silver MasterCard®
CAUTION: To earn status on AA you must fly a minimum of four qualifying segments on an AA marketed or operated flight within the qualifying year. (The exception has been for elite status challenges.)
The now obsolete thread: Earning AA miles / EQM on oneworld, partner & other airlines (OBSOLETE)
Signed in members with 90 days / 90 posts can edit this Wikipost; wiki contents may be printed by using the
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Updated 23 Jan 2017 - JDiver
ARCHIVE: Earning AA Elite Qualifying Miles / EQM on AA, partner airlines 2016
Jan 10, 2016, 6:37 am
#76
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Posts: 1,976
Business class generally can earn at least 100% credits for most airlines or their partners. So it's weird for this case if I credit it to AAdvantage.
Jan 11, 2016, 6:55 am
#77
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA EXP, AMEX PLAT, IC AMB, SPG GOLD, HHONORS GLD, National Executive, Hertz Gold, AVIS Preferred
Posts: 65
Very confused right now so here's my data from this past weekend. Flew discounted Business and was expecting 2x EQM. My account is showing 4602 EQM earned for the total trip.
Flew TPA-MIA-MSY on 1/8 then returned MSY-DFW-TPA on 1/10. I earned 1,848 EQM on the 1/8 and 2754 on 1/10.
On the 204 mile TPA - MIA I would have thought they would bump me to 500 then double to total of 1,000 EQM for that leg but I just got bumped to 500 total. Then on the MSY - DFW leg they just doubled 448 to 896 EQM, again no bump to 500 then 2x. To me it looks like I was shorted 604 EQM (500 + 104).
???
From my account -
Outbound 1/8:
AMERICAN AIRLINES 0295 F TPA MIA 1/8/16 204 796 1,000
1/8/16 0 250 250
AADV BONUS MILES PROMO - FIRST & BUSINESS 1/8/16 0 1,000 1,000
AADV BONUS MILES PROMO - FIRST & BUSINESS 1/8/16 0 1,000 1,000
AMERICAN AIRLINES 4306 F MIA MSY 1/8/16 674 1,011 1,685
Return 1/10:
AMERICAN AIRLINES 0978 F MSY DFW 1/10/16 448 672 1,120
AADV BONUS MILES PROMO - FIRST & BUSINESS 1/10/16 0 1,000 1,000
500 Mile Min. Adjust - Non Elite Qualifying Miles 1/10/16 0 78 78
AADV BONUS MILES PROMO - FIRST & BUSINESS 1/10/16 0 1,000 1,000
AMERICAN AIRLINES 1198 F DFW TPA 1/10/16 929 1,394 2,323
Flew TPA-MIA-MSY on 1/8 then returned MSY-DFW-TPA on 1/10. I earned 1,848 EQM on the 1/8 and 2754 on 1/10.
On the 204 mile TPA - MIA I would have thought they would bump me to 500 then double to total of 1,000 EQM for that leg but I just got bumped to 500 total. Then on the MSY - DFW leg they just doubled 448 to 896 EQM, again no bump to 500 then 2x. To me it looks like I was shorted 604 EQM (500 + 104).
???
From my account -
Outbound 1/8:
AMERICAN AIRLINES 0295 F TPA MIA 1/8/16 204 796 1,000
1/8/16 0 250 250
AADV BONUS MILES PROMO - FIRST & BUSINESS 1/8/16 0 1,000 1,000
AADV BONUS MILES PROMO - FIRST & BUSINESS 1/8/16 0 1,000 1,000
AMERICAN AIRLINES 4306 F MIA MSY 1/8/16 674 1,011 1,685
Return 1/10:
AMERICAN AIRLINES 0978 F MSY DFW 1/10/16 448 672 1,120
AADV BONUS MILES PROMO - FIRST & BUSINESS 1/10/16 0 1,000 1,000
500 Mile Min. Adjust - Non Elite Qualifying Miles 1/10/16 0 78 78
AADV BONUS MILES PROMO - FIRST & BUSINESS 1/10/16 0 1,000 1,000
AMERICAN AIRLINES 1198 F DFW TPA 1/10/16 929 1,394 2,323
Jan 11, 2016, 7:23 am
#78
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
Very confused right now so here's my data from this past weekend. Flew discounted Business and was expecting 2x EQM. My account is showing 4602 EQM earned for the total trip.
Flew TPA-MIA-MSY on 1/8 then returned MSY-DFW-TPA on 1/10. I earned 1,848 EQM on the 1/8 and 2754 on 1/10.
On the 204 mile TPA - MIA I would have thought they would bump me to 500 then double to total of 1,000 EQM for that leg but I just got bumped to 500 total. Then on the MSY - DFW leg they just doubled 448 to 896 EQM, again no bump to 500 then 2x. To me it looks like I was shorted 604 EQM (500 + 104).
Flew TPA-MIA-MSY on 1/8 then returned MSY-DFW-TPA on 1/10. I earned 1,848 EQM on the 1/8 and 2754 on 1/10.
On the 204 mile TPA - MIA I would have thought they would bump me to 500 then double to total of 1,000 EQM for that leg but I just got bumped to 500 total. Then on the MSY - DFW leg they just doubled 448 to 896 EQM, again no bump to 500 then 2x. To me it looks like I was shorted 604 EQM (500 + 104).
Jan 11, 2016, 8:04 am
#79
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
The way the 500 mile minimum is calculated has changed this year (previously it was minimum then multiplier, now it's multiplier then minimum); it's either a mistake or a stealth devaluation. Nobody can say for sure which, or whether it will change back. Looks like you got caught up in it, and your earn is consistent with what others have reported since 1 Jan.
Jan 11, 2016, 8:21 am
#80
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,950
The way the 500 mile minimum is calculated has changed this year (previously it was minimum then multiplier, now it's multiplier then minimum); it's either a mistake or a stealth devaluation. Nobody can say for sure which, or whether it will change back. Looks like you got caught up in it, and your earn is consistent with what others have reported since 1 Jan.
Jan 11, 2016, 8:52 am
#81
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
However, it's not entirely a devaluation: on partner economy fares for which the multiplier is less than 1, it appears to be an enhancement (since the effective EQM minimum appears to be -- by my reading of the reports -- 500 miles instead of the 250 I expected based on pre-2016 experience with EQPs).
Jan 11, 2016, 8:56 am
#82
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,059
I agree that it's in general a stealth devaluation (and with JonNYC that that's a good summary). However, it's not entirely a devaluation: on partner economy fares for which the multiplier is less than 1, it appears to be an enhancement (since the effective EQM minimum appears to be -- by my reading of the reports -- 500 miles instead of the 250 I expected based on pre-2016 experience with EQPs).
If these new earn rates are accurate, they wouldn't give an advantage to the short segment flyer who is booking full fare/AAirpass style tickets or has a short distance connection to a longer international itinerary on a premium fare (AUS-DFW-xxx, for instance).
Jan 11, 2016, 9:30 am
#83
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,950
Below are (1) what my latest month of activity looks like, and (2) my progress to Platinum, as a current Gold. Does anyone know how they came up with 2,229 ???
(1)
[snip irrelevant flights]
BRITISH AIRWAYS 0184 M EWR LHR 1/1/16 3,458 864 4,322
BRITISH AIRWAYS 0726 M LHR GVA 1/2/16 469 156 625
Total miles posted 7,822 1,992 9,814
(2)
Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM): 2,229 of 50,000 (YTD)
Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS): 2 of 60 (YTD)
(1)
[snip irrelevant flights]
BRITISH AIRWAYS 0184 M EWR LHR 1/1/16 3,458 864 4,322
BRITISH AIRWAYS 0726 M LHR GVA 1/2/16 469 156 625
Total miles posted 7,822 1,992 9,814
(2)
Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM): 2,229 of 50,000 (YTD)
Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS): 2 of 60 (YTD)
As always,
to AA for not clearly stating the incremental gain for each counter in your activity. DL's much-maligned IT does this very well.My brain-gears are grinding on this one... Are you saying that partner flights booked into inventory that earns less than 1 EQM per base mile are earning 500 EQMs? I'm honestly not following that closely, though if that's true then it would definitely be an 'enhancement'... I put it in inverted commas as it would incent the purchasing of cheapo tickets while making the purchase of premium fares less lucrative. That seems bonkers to me, but it would at least have some kind of silver lining.
The fact that RDMs are earned as before (ie the 500 mile minimum is applied, then any status or class of service bonuses are applied) makes this seem like a mistake to me. But who knows.
(Not sure if this discussion belongs in the fact thread or the discussion thread, since it's still unclear what the facts are.)
Jan 11, 2016, 2:49 pm
#84
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: AAdvantage, Hilton HHonors, National Emerald Club
Posts: 3
With the new EQM model earning more miles for higher fare classes, I had a couple questions I am hoping pertain to this thread (apologies if these don't belong here, first time poster!)
1. Based on everything I've read and understood in this thread, it seems like taking a short connection can maximize the EQMs earned. I.E. - I'm booking a trip from ORD to ATL for work; that itinerary RT nets 1212 EQM miles in discount economy. If I were to book it with a connection such as ORD>CLT (599 miles) and CLT>ATL (227 miles) in discount economy, since I am a Gold elite, RT I would earn 2198 EQMs correct? 1198 for the ORD>CLT routes, and another 1000 for CLT>ATL and back. Want to confirm that even though it is the same itinerary, the 227 mile SEGMENTS between CLT & ATL will earn me 500 EQMs each.
2. What is the best way to go about obtaining a Y or B fare to net 1.5 EQMs? Most of my travel is for work and I cannot book in business class. Looking at a trip to fly next week (aforementioned ORD>ATL), pretty much everything is showing up in S class on the "Lowest Fare" tab. Selecting "Refundable" merits mostly M class; the only Y fare I am seeing is nearly $4k! I've never paid attention to the fare class before, since previously all fare classes earned 1:1 EQMs which is what I reached Gold on (impossible for me to have ever earned it on EQPs since 95% of them were discount economy and earned .5 EQPs per mile). Just curious as to what the point of a Y or B fare is if it's that astronomical? That same itinerary is showing refundable first class A fare (2:1 EQM ratio) at around $1K, so why someone would pay 4x as much to earn less EQMs/redeemable miles, and sit in coach vs. first class just doesn't make sense to me. Is there a science to find affordable Y & B fares that would make sense over first/biz?
1. Based on everything I've read and understood in this thread, it seems like taking a short connection can maximize the EQMs earned. I.E. - I'm booking a trip from ORD to ATL for work; that itinerary RT nets 1212 EQM miles in discount economy. If I were to book it with a connection such as ORD>CLT (599 miles) and CLT>ATL (227 miles) in discount economy, since I am a Gold elite, RT I would earn 2198 EQMs correct? 1198 for the ORD>CLT routes, and another 1000 for CLT>ATL and back. Want to confirm that even though it is the same itinerary, the 227 mile SEGMENTS between CLT & ATL will earn me 500 EQMs each.
2. What is the best way to go about obtaining a Y or B fare to net 1.5 EQMs? Most of my travel is for work and I cannot book in business class. Looking at a trip to fly next week (aforementioned ORD>ATL), pretty much everything is showing up in S class on the "Lowest Fare" tab. Selecting "Refundable" merits mostly M class; the only Y fare I am seeing is nearly $4k! I've never paid attention to the fare class before, since previously all fare classes earned 1:1 EQMs which is what I reached Gold on (impossible for me to have ever earned it on EQPs since 95% of them were discount economy and earned .5 EQPs per mile). Just curious as to what the point of a Y or B fare is if it's that astronomical? That same itinerary is showing refundable first class A fare (2:1 EQM ratio) at around $1K, so why someone would pay 4x as much to earn less EQMs/redeemable miles, and sit in coach vs. first class just doesn't make sense to me. Is there a science to find affordable Y & B fares that would make sense over first/biz?
Last edited by catierusch; Jan 11, 2016 at 2:58 pm
Jan 11, 2016, 3:04 pm
#85
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,950
2. What is the best way to go about obtaining a Y or B fare to net 1.5 EQMs? Most of my travel is for work and I cannot book in business class. Looking at a trip to fly next week (aforementioned ORD>ATL), pretty much everything is showing up in S class on the "Lowest Fare" tab. Selecting "Refundable" merits mostly M class; the only Y fare I am seeing is nearly $4k! I've never paid attention to the fare class before, since previously all fare classes earned 1:1 EQMs which is what I reached Gold on (impossible for me to have ever earned it on EQPs since 95% of them were discount economy and earned .5 EQPs per mile). Just curious as to what the point of a Y or B fare is if it's that astronomical? That same itinerary is showing refundable first class A fare (2:1 EQM ratio) at around $1K, so why someone would pay 4x as much to earn less EQMs/redeemable miles, and sit in coach vs. first class just doesn't make sense to me. Is there a science to find affordable Y & B fares that would make sense over first/biz?
Jan 11, 2016, 3:05 pm
#86
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
Welcome to FlyerTalk, catierusch!
In general, you'll always earn more EQMs by taking a connection than by flying non-stop, and if you're flying on a coach fare that's especially true. Take as many connections onto short hops as your time and budget will allow.
Speaking of budget, you're better off buying business/first than looking for Y/B fares. These fares tend to be quite expensive. If you find a good first fare and your company won't pay the difference, consider calling AA and paying the fare difference out of pocket.
I hope this helps, safe travels.
In general, you'll always earn more EQMs by taking a connection than by flying non-stop, and if you're flying on a coach fare that's especially true. Take as many connections onto short hops as your time and budget will allow.
Speaking of budget, you're better off buying business/first than looking for Y/B fares. These fares tend to be quite expensive. If you find a good first fare and your company won't pay the difference, consider calling AA and paying the fare difference out of pocket.
I hope this helps, safe travels.
Jan 11, 2016, 3:27 pm
#87
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
I did the return trip in coach (and was upgraded in both legs) and just checked my account.
I didn't get the EQM COS bonus since I was in coach but I did get the 500 EQM's for the under 500 leg.
So, for short legs, the EQM COS service bonus for buying a P may not be that significant.
I didn't get the EQM COS bonus since I was in coach but I did get the 500 EQM's for the under 500 leg.
So, for short legs, the EQM COS service bonus for buying a P may not be that significant.
Jan 11, 2016, 3:33 pm
#88
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 258
AA to Russia
Sorry if I missed this - searched around for awhile but didn't see anything useful - but has AA completely ceased marketing flights to Moscow? I need to go in September and was somewhat surprised to come up empty on AA. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem, as I'd fly there the rest of the way there on BA or AY. In this brave new EQM world, though, it strikes me as odd that there's no way to get to Moscow or LED in coach and earn 100% EQM. Well, discount coach, anyway.
I realize Russia's a terrible market right now, but I didn't know it was so bad as to give up code shares entirely. Or am I missing something? Anyway, AY is offering flights in business on my dates for only ~ $1200 more than the cheapest coach AA/BA combo. I guess I'll do that? Or just fly Delta for $470 r/t a/i. Gross! But the incentives to fly AA with the JV aren't what they used to be if I can't find an AA flight number.
Not a big deal in the great scheme of things, but gaming these things out under the new rules can be a challenge. I'm not used to struggling with these decisions.
I realize Russia's a terrible market right now, but I didn't know it was so bad as to give up code shares entirely. Or am I missing something? Anyway, AY is offering flights in business on my dates for only ~ $1200 more than the cheapest coach AA/BA combo. I guess I'll do that? Or just fly Delta for $470 r/t a/i. Gross! But the incentives to fly AA with the JV aren't what they used to be if I can't find an AA flight number.
Not a big deal in the great scheme of things, but gaming these things out under the new rules can be a challenge. I'm not used to struggling with these decisions.
Jan 12, 2016, 8:59 am
#89
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,950
Sorry if I missed this - searched around for awhile but didn't see anything useful - but has AA completely ceased marketing flights to Moscow? I need to go in September and was somewhat surprised to come up empty on AA. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem, as I'd fly there the rest of the way there on BA or AY. In this brave new EQM world, though, it strikes me as odd that there's no way to get to Moscow or LED in coach and earn 100% EQM. Well, discount coach, anyway.
Jan 12, 2016, 9:10 am
#90
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 258
I have no idea about Russia in general, but it looks like getting to HEL with an AA flight number is your best bet if you can do it; HEL-DME is only 584 miles, and reports in this thread indicate that you would earn 500 EQMs for that segment even on a 0.5 EQM-earning AY fare, so you'd hardly miss out on any miles at all.