View Poll Results: The AAdvantage changes announced 6 Jun 2016 will
incentivize me to fly AA more, as I benefit overall
27
3.55%
cause me to buy premium over discount AA fares
26
3.42%
not impact my travel on AA in the balance
128
16.82%
make me choose AA or a competitor, depending on itinerary
181
23.78%
make me become an independent agent
221
29.04%
cause me to join another airline's FF program
178
23.39%
Voters: 761. You may not vote on this poll
Jun 6, 2016, 10:31 am
Last edit by: JDiver
AAdvantage Changes Announced 6 Jun 2016 - REACTION, DISCUSSION
This thread is dedicated to "REACTION, DISCUSSION" of the changes announced June 6, 2016.
For "JUST THE FACTS", please use JUST THE FACTS: EQD, status tier, upgrade changes as of 6 Jun 2016
Link to AAdvantage Program Updates page on aa.com.
Link to Gary Leff's "View from the Wing" blog article on these changes.
Link to Ben "Lucky" Schlappig's take in "One Mile at a Time" on View From the Boarding Area
Summary of changes:
aa.com: Unknown but intended: aa.com updated to show EQM, EQD and RDM/AW for your convenience when booking and in your account for keeping informed about your accruals.
Change to earning Award / Redeemable Miles to revenue based begins (see FT thread)
Bonus award miles "More Miles" for premium cabin discontinued
For travel beginning August 1, 2016
Earn award miles based on your ticket price and elite status on American-marketed flights.
You earn miles on the base fare plus carrier-imposed fees minus government-imposed taxes and fees. The more you spend (and the higher your elite status level) the more you’ll earn.
On most flights marketed by partner airlines, you'll earn award miles based on a percentage of the flight distance and the fare class of your ticket. Rates will be available by July 15.
NOTE: this also pertains to "special fares", such as those purchased through AA Vacations. (not AA language)
You earn miles on the base fare plus carrier-imposed fees minus government-imposed taxes and fees. The more you spend (and the higher your elite status level) the more you’ll earn.
- AAdvantage® member – 5 miles for every U.S. dollar
- Gold member – 7 miles for every U.S. dollar (40% bonus)
- Platinum member – 8 miles for every U.S. dollar (60% bonus)
- Platinum Pro - 9 miles for every U.S. dollar
- Executive Platinum member – 11 miles for every U.S. dollar (120% bonus)
NOTE: this also pertains to "special fares", such as those purchased through AA Vacations. (not AA language)
1 Jan 2017:
Status earning to have EQM/EQS criteria AND "EQD" revenue spend requirement
In addition to the (same as 2016) required EQM or EQS, to earn status one will have to also earn "Elite Qualifying Dollars" / "EQD" spend credit as follows (during the calendar year):
"EQDs will be awarded based on:
Ticket price (base fare plus carrier-imposed fees, excluding any government-imposed taxes and fees) on American-marketed flights
EQD calculations will not include change fees and similar (premium seats, baggage, etc.) charges.
Flights marketed by oneworld® carriers and Alaska Airlines will earn EQDs based on a percentage of the flight distance and the fare class purchased (as may "special fares" - not AA language)
NOTE: EQD offset may be earned by spend on Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Red and Silver cards (added language not from AA)
With the addition of EQDs, we’ll remove the rule that 4 segments must be traveled on American or American Eagle during the qualifying year to receive elite status."
Ticket price (base fare plus carrier-imposed fees, excluding any government-imposed taxes and fees) on American-marketed flights
EQD calculations will not include change fees and similar (premium seats, baggage, etc.) charges.
Q. Do checked bag fees, seat purchases, 500-mile upgrades or other products/service fees count toward earning award miles and EQDs?
No, only the base fare paid for your ticket including any carrier-imposed fees will count toward earning award miles and EQDs. Fees for other products or services will not be awarded miles or EQDs, including but not limited to the following: checked baggage fees, Admirals Club® memberships, Wi-Fi passes, in-flight food and beverage purchases, in-flight entertainment, unaccompanied minor fees, pet travel fees, 500-mile upgrades, mileage upgrade cash co-payments, Mileage Multiplier, BuyMiles, GiftMiles, ShareMiles or other mileage purchases, ticket change fees, ticketing fees, same-day confirmed flight change or standby fees and service charges. (Thanks to ty97.)
No, only the base fare paid for your ticket including any carrier-imposed fees will count toward earning award miles and EQDs. Fees for other products or services will not be awarded miles or EQDs, including but not limited to the following: checked baggage fees, Admirals Club® memberships, Wi-Fi passes, in-flight food and beverage purchases, in-flight entertainment, unaccompanied minor fees, pet travel fees, 500-mile upgrades, mileage upgrade cash co-payments, Mileage Multiplier, BuyMiles, GiftMiles, ShareMiles or other mileage purchases, ticket change fees, ticketing fees, same-day confirmed flight change or standby fees and service charges. (Thanks to ty97.)
NOTE: EQD offset may be earned by spend on Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Red and Silver cards (added language not from AA)
With the addition of EQDs, we’ll remove the rule that 4 segments must be traveled on American or American Eagle during the qualifying year to receive elite status."
- Gold - $3,000
- Platinum - $6,000
- Platinum Pro - $9,000 (beginning 1/1/17)
- Executive Platinum - $12,000
NOTE: Concierge Key is treated as a higher status tier than Executive Platinum for upgrade Priority, but is not otherwise an AAdvantage status tier.
Change from three status tiers to four - new 75K "Platinum Pro" added
"In 2017 you can start earning toward a new level, Platinum Pro, with benefits like:
- Complimentary upgrades on flights in 500-mile upgrade markets
- Earn 9 award miles/U.S. dollar (80% bonus)
- 2 free checked bags
- oneworld® Sapphire status
- 72 hour upgrade window
February 2017
Introduction of highly restricted AA Basic Economy fares. FT link.
These will accrue 0.5 EQM, 0.5 EQS, will not permit rollaboard size / overhead baggage (only one personal item) unless you have status, no upgrades permitted, etc.
"Late" 2017:
Change to upgrade priority to EQD-based priority
"The way your upgrade request is prioritized will change later in 2017. You’ll be listed according to your elite status level followed by the number of EQDs earned in the last 12 months."
Executive Platinums able to upgrade MC / coach award flight (On flights 500 mile upgrades are usable, courtesy upgrades; priority within EP by last 12 month EQD spend).
"Starting later in 2017, Executive Platinum members can use their complimentary 500-mile upgrade benefits on AAdvantage® award tickets for travel on American from Main Cabin to the next class."
Peripheral issues:
AA Vacations: AA Vacations packages (like partner airline tickets) will earn EQD, EQM, and RDM/AW based on the distance flown as determined by the fare class purchased. This is in accordance with the "Special Fares" section of the new EQD earnings pages, and confirmed here
EQD requirements will apply to non-US residents as well as US as currently exists
EQD requirements can be partially offset by spend on Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Red or Silver cards.
Partners (AS and oneworld): accrual of EQM as reflected on charts on aa.com; EQD credit to be announced (15 Jul 2016)
Status: AA has no current plans to add "Lifetime Platinum Pro" status.
Resources:
GLOSSARY:
EQD: Elite Qualifying Dollars (base fare + carrier imposed fees, - government imposed taxes and fees)
EQM: Elite Qualifying Miles (accrual depends on fare basis, airline and miles flown)
EQS: Elite Qualifying Segments (discrete qualifying segment credited by AA)
Platinum Pro: new tier beginning 1/1/17 requiring $9,000 EQD and 75,000 EQM or 90 EQS in one calendar year
For links to new threads about these and other recent changes affecting AA flyers, see below.
Link to AAdvantage Program Updates page on aa.com.
Link to Gary Leff's "View from the Wing" blog article on these changes.
Link to Ben "Lucky" Schlappig's take in "One Mile at a Time" on View From the Boarding Area
Link to Andy's take on the Award Miles earning changes on View From the Boarding Area.
Links to useful threads:
GUIDE: Earning EQD / Elite Qualifying Dollars on AA and partner airlines (2017 on)
GUIDE: Earning AA Elite Qualifying Miles / EQM on AA, oneworld, partner airlines 2017
GUIDE: Earning AA Award / Redeemable Miles / RDM on AA, partners 1 Aug 2016
HELP DESK: Elite Qualifying EQD, EQM & Award / RDM Calculations & Planning 2017
AAdvantage® earning estimates - FAQ (aa.com)
(aa.com "AAdvantage program updates" - link)
Link to FT thread: What are AA Platinum Pro Benefits? Are they worth it? (master thread)
Link to FT thread: oneworld not requiring connecting protection or interline baggage 1 Jun 2016
Link to ARCHIVE: "Speculation about upcoming changes tba 6 Jun 2016"
Updated 6 Jan 2012 - JDiver
REACTION, DISCUSSION: EQD, status tier, upgrade changes as of 6 Jun 2016
Aug 10, 2016, 9:23 pm
#1666
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,470
If not AAdvantage, then which other OneWorld FFP?
So last month I requalified for EXP (8th year running) and still have a number of trips for the rest of the year that have been ticketed but not yet flown.
While I will have my EXP status for 2017, I will not have it for 2018 since I have no desire to drop $12K on AA, an airline that screwed me for my loyalty.
Since virtually all of my flying is for leisure and entirely on my own dime, I am mentally prepared to drop the trappings of elite status. Being a 2MM miler I have lifetime Platinum status and hence assured lounge access outside the US, at least until Doug Parker gets around to changing the rules again.
But where do I credit the miles for the rest of the year and which other OW carrier comes close to AA in terms of benefits and perhaps even better than AA in terms of RDM accrual? Is there any other program that does not levy fuel charges for award tickets? Or has better award charts than AA?
Grateful for your comments and suggestions.
While I will have my EXP status for 2017, I will not have it for 2018 since I have no desire to drop $12K on AA, an airline that screwed me for my loyalty.
Since virtually all of my flying is for leisure and entirely on my own dime, I am mentally prepared to drop the trappings of elite status. Being a 2MM miler I have lifetime Platinum status and hence assured lounge access outside the US, at least until Doug Parker gets around to changing the rules again.
But where do I credit the miles for the rest of the year and which other OW carrier comes close to AA in terms of benefits and perhaps even better than AA in terms of RDM accrual? Is there any other program that does not levy fuel charges for award tickets? Or has better award charts than AA?
Grateful for your comments and suggestions.
Last edited by shonamac; Aug 10, 2016 at 10:31 pm
Aug 10, 2016, 9:41 pm
#1667
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,577
If thinking of crediting elsewhere, the http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html thread may be a good place to look
Aug 17, 2016, 7:57 am
#1669
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,146
Aug 17, 2016, 8:01 am
#1670
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,207
Aug 17, 2016, 8:28 am
#1671
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
No. It was Platinum (and the new play pro) who got pummeled. Exp's went from 2x to 2.2x
Aug 17, 2016, 8:40 am
#1672
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA EXP, AA LT Gold, SPG Plat 75
Posts: 889
Can we just agree that everyone got pummeled, some (PLTs, international Y flyers) more than others (GLDs) although GLD was mostly devAAlued long before with the drop in checked baggage allowance.
Aug 17, 2016, 9:08 am
#1673
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,207
That's actually who I mean. EXP = Executive Platinum. In 2017, PLT will be P50 or P75; hence, ex-PLT.
Aug 18, 2016, 10:05 pm
#1674
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 35
I was told by many GA's and EXP Phone Agents to file a complaint to the new program updates via e-mail to Customer Relations - They said they can and will make a difference based on past experiences (depending how many people voice their opinions). They agree that the program is pathetic at best. They just ask that we make sure we send via e-mail to the decision makers.
Maybe it will / won't make a difference, but I suggest that if everyone has an opinion, please e-mail AA and tell them exactly what you think.
At the very least, it is worth a shot...
Maybe it will / won't make a difference, but I suggest that if everyone has an opinion, please e-mail AA and tell them exactly what you think.
At the very least, it is worth a shot...
Aug 19, 2016, 12:04 pm
#1676
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Aug 30, 2016, 12:05 pm
#1677
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire, National ExecElite
Posts: 16
The last year has been very sad.
First we lost the 8 system wide upgrades.
Then the change to revenue based. I went ten time to London from the west coast. Last flight was the most expensive ticket I have bought on that route, netted 70% of the miles compared to before the enhancement.
Now I see that my miles are completely useless.
I will donate them to charity, and either move to AS or just buy the cheapest ticket, then use the saved money to treat myself later with a "free" flight somewhere.
First we lost the 8 system wide upgrades.
Then the change to revenue based. I went ten time to London from the west coast. Last flight was the most expensive ticket I have bought on that route, netted 70% of the miles compared to before the enhancement.
Now I see that my miles are completely useless.
I will donate them to charity, and either move to AS or just buy the cheapest ticket, then use the saved money to treat myself later with a "free" flight somewhere.
Aug 30, 2016, 5:08 pm
#1678
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA EXP, AA LT Gold, SPG Plat 75
Posts: 889
The last year has been very sad.
First we lost the 8 system wide upgrades.
Then the change to revenue based. I went ten time to London from the west coast. Last flight was the most expensive ticket I have bought on that route, netted 70% of the miles compared to before the enhancement.
Now I see that my miles are completely useless.
I will donate them to charity, and either move to AS or just buy the cheapest ticket, then use the saved money to treat myself later with a "free" flight somewhere.
First we lost the 8 system wide upgrades.
Then the change to revenue based. I went ten time to London from the west coast. Last flight was the most expensive ticket I have bought on that route, netted 70% of the miles compared to before the enhancement.
Now I see that my miles are completely useless.
I will donate them to charity, and either move to AS or just buy the cheapest ticket, then use the saved money to treat myself later with a "free" flight somewhere.
Aug 31, 2016, 11:38 am
#1679
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Chicago
Programs: United 1k, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat
Posts: 231
Is there a new calculator available which correctly calculates the award miles owed based on the newly implemented Fare rules?
I recently took a trip which I believe works out as follows:
(Base Fare + Carrier Imposed Fees) x 8 Award Miles/USD (Platinum Status)
(1832.00 + 1160.86) = 2992.86 x 8 = 23,943.
However I got credited with the following for the first leg of the trip:
AMERICAN AIRLINES 6196 C ORD LHR
Method: Fare 8/25/16 7,906 EQMs + 10,640 Award Miles
Should I then be expecting to receive 13,303 Award Miles for the return flight?
I recently took a trip which I believe works out as follows:
(Base Fare + Carrier Imposed Fees) x 8 Award Miles/USD (Platinum Status)
(1832.00 + 1160.86) = 2992.86 x 8 = 23,943.
However I got credited with the following for the first leg of the trip:
AMERICAN AIRLINES 6196 C ORD LHR
Method: Fare 8/25/16 7,906 EQMs + 10,640 Award Miles
Should I then be expecting to receive 13,303 Award Miles for the return flight?
Aug 31, 2016, 11:55 am
#1680
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,577
If the values for the total cost are correct, then indeed should expect to get about 13,304 miles from the inbound trip
I assume that the values do not include taxes
If you are booked in different booking classes in each direction, would make it very likely for the mileage outbound and inbound to be different
I assume that the values do not include taxes
If you are booked in different booking classes in each direction, would make it very likely for the mileage outbound and inbound to be different