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
Sep 1, 2016, 8:52 pm
#1696
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: CVG
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 90
If there really is no CC EQD waiver, then AA truly is clueless. They do NOT have the product and service to support having the worst loyalty program. When you can get Diamond from Delta with no MQD requirement (with AmEx waiver), seriously, why would ANYONE choose AA? It's already been quite hard for me to convince myself to stay.
I just made EXP. I'm matching to DL and gone if this isn't announced, and soon. I need to be booking travel for next year soon.
I just made EXP. I'm matching to DL and gone if this isn't announced, and soon. I need to be booking travel for next year soon.
Sep 1, 2016, 9:36 pm
#1697
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Philadelphia, LAX, Paris
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, SPG/Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Lifetime HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 3,331
If there really is no CC EQD waiver, then AA truly is clueless. They do NOT have the product and service to support having the worst loyalty program. When you can get Diamond from Delta with no MQD requirement (with AmEx waiver), seriously, why would ANYONE choose AA? It's already been quite hard for me to convince myself to stay.
I just made EXP. I'm matching to DL and gone if this isn't announced, and soon. I need to be booking travel for next year soon.
I just made EXP. I'm matching to DL and gone if this isn't announced, and soon. I need to be booking travel for next year soon.
1. Today, DFW-PHL, completely full, someone said the flight was oversold by 5
2. Last Sunday 8/28, SFO-DFW, completely full
3. Thursday 8/25, PHL-SFO, completely full
4. Wednesday 8/24, MIA-PHL, 2 open seats on a large A321
And the fares that I booked 7 days in advance are not exactly peanuts.
Sep 1, 2016, 10:06 pm
#1698
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
If there really is no CC EQD waiver, then AA truly is clueless. They do NOT have the product and service to support having the worst loyalty program. When you can get Diamond from Delta with no MQD requirement (with AmEx waiver), seriously, why would ANYONE choose AA? It's already been quite hard for me to convince myself to stay.
I just made EXP. I'm matching to DL and gone if this isn't announced, and soon. I need to be booking travel for next year soon.
I just made EXP. I'm matching to DL and gone if this isn't announced, and soon. I need to be booking travel for next year soon.
Saw a posting on a FB group where someone with some inside knowledge said that there wouldn't be a cc waiver. Could be fact. Could be fiction. But am starting to think that no word from AA -- especially after the announcement of a cc deal extension with both citi and Barclays that maybe there may not be any type of waiver.
Apparently, it seems there will be no CC EQD waiver at this time.
Sep 2, 2016, 12:07 am
#1699
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
No they won't. There are only three legacy carriers left, no matter what they're going to have plenty of loyal customers or customers who are stuck flying AA. Don't delude yourself thinking they are ever going to feel sorry about these changes, just prepare for future changes to be even worse.
Sep 2, 2016, 5:23 am
#1700
Join Date: May 2005
Location: JFK
Programs: AAdvantage EXP/ConciergeKey
Posts: 292
Example of Partner (BA) flights posting
Description Ticket # Date EQMs / EQSs Base miles Bonus miles Total award miles
BRITISH AIRWAYS 0148 J BEY LHR
Method: Distance 8/22/16 3,251 / 1 2,167 3,143 5,310
BRITISH AIRWAYS 1444 J LHR EDI
Method: Distance 8/22/16 750 / 1 332 482 814
BRITISH AIRWAYS 0177 J LHR JFK
Method: Distance 8/28/16 5,178 / 1 3,452 5,006 8,458
Description Ticket # Date EQMs / EQSs Base miles Bonus miles Total award miles
BRITISH AIRWAYS 0148 J BEY LHR
Method: Distance 8/22/16 3,251 / 1 2,167 3,143 5,310
BRITISH AIRWAYS 1444 J LHR EDI
Method: Distance 8/22/16 750 / 1 332 482 814
BRITISH AIRWAYS 0177 J LHR JFK
Method: Distance 8/28/16 5,178 / 1 3,452 5,006 8,458
Sep 2, 2016, 6:16 am
#1701
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
No they won't. There are only three legacy carriers left, no matter what they're going to have plenty of loyal customers or customers who are stuck flying AA. Don't delude yourself thinking they are ever going to feel sorry about these changes, just prepare for future changes to be even worse.
Sep 2, 2016, 6:22 am
#1702
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
If there really is no CC EQD waiver, then AA truly is clueless. They do NOT have the product and service to support having the worst loyalty program. When you can get Diamond from Delta with no MQD requirement (with AmEx waiver), seriously, why would ANYONE choose AA? It's already been quite hard for me to convince myself to stay.
I just made EXP. I'm matching to DL and gone if this isn't announced, and soon. I need to be booking travel for next year soon.
I just made EXP. I'm matching to DL and gone if this isn't announced, and soon. I need to be booking travel for next year soon.
I don't think AA cares about the loyalty of someone for whom the cc waiver is relevant; they'll get the revenue from someone, and at lower cost to them if its from a non-elite.
Sep 2, 2016, 7:27 am
#1703
Join Date: May 2005
Location: JFK
Programs: AAdvantage EXP/ConciergeKey
Posts: 292
I never buy economy because i think i can use my VIP to go the business. I use my VIP to go from Business to first on some occasions, but even then i usually do so because i am changing my flight and on that day only full class F is available so the change in fare is 5000$ on an already 7000$ ticket. I fly mostly international First and International Business (2, 3 times per month) few domestic.
Loyalty Programs are used in a different way by different audience.
Sep 2, 2016, 11:04 am
#1704
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
An opposing anecdote: the changes to the elite program have prompted me to pay for F/J a lot more than I did previously.
Sep 2, 2016, 11:11 am
#1705
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
And they've already caused me to book directly with partners more often now (e.g. BA and QR mostly). Much better pricing on many of the routes I fly, and more EQD for basically the same EQM.
Sep 2, 2016, 11:56 am
#1706
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA LT Plat, UA 1k/1mm+, National EE, IC Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,605
If the changes were really so net positive, we would see yields improve. Yet, neither DL, nor UA showed any yield improvements when they migrated to revenue based systems and widely adopted FCM...
Sep 2, 2016, 12:35 pm
#1707
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Chicago
Programs: United 1k, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat
Posts: 231
Just checking on ITA
Taxes plus surcharges for that route total $1136.06 ( with current exchange rates )
The AA surcharge componant is $828
It looks like you may be misreading the amount on which you are due to earn miles
Of the 1160.86 , I think that only $828 is eligible earning and the remining $332.86 is taxes/charges which are ineligible
This would make the total eligible earning r/t being $1832 + $828 = $2660
On a simple r/t in I class, this would be split evenly $1330 each way
1330 * 8 = 10,640 which is what you earned
I would expect that you will earn exactly the same amount on the way back
Taxes plus surcharges for that route total $1136.06 ( with current exchange rates )
The AA surcharge componant is $828
It looks like you may be misreading the amount on which you are due to earn miles
Of the 1160.86 , I think that only $828 is eligible earning and the remining $332.86 is taxes/charges which are ineligible
This would make the total eligible earning r/t being $1832 + $828 = $2660
On a simple r/t in I class, this would be split evenly $1330 each way
1330 * 8 = 10,640 which is what you earned
I would expect that you will earn exactly the same amount on the way back
Sep 2, 2016, 5:50 pm
#1708
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
Me too! Just mostly on other airlines! I just booked a trip to India on Ethiad that I usually would have tried to steer to AA, but I've already qualified for EXP for next year and don't really see any benefits to accumulating more RDMs (or SWUs for that matter) on EXP, so the cheaper ticket was an easy pick.
Sep 3, 2016, 9:10 am
#1709
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,410
AMERICAN AIRLINES 0010 C LAX JFK
09/01/16 4,950 / 1 565 339 904
904 miles total vs ~6200 pre-deval.
I wish they at least kept the transcon J bonus miles, there was no reason to take those away too!
09/01/16 4,950 / 1 565 339 904
904 miles total vs ~6200 pre-deval.
I wish they at least kept the transcon J bonus miles, there was no reason to take those away too!
