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 3, 2016, 11:05 am
#1711
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
You're managing to fly LAX to JFK in business for less than $200 and you think AA should be giving you an extra bonus because your super cheap fare happens to be on one of their nicest domestic products?
Sep 3, 2016, 12:28 pm
#1712
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Sep 3, 2016, 12:31 pm
#1713
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: LAS/DXB
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 1,193
You basically flew business transcon for less than an average economy ticket price?
Sep 3, 2016, 12:32 pm
#1714
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
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 3, 2016, 2:06 pm
#1716
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,398
Also this was just the fare base and thus earning that AA assigned on this segment, part of a bigger trip. Obv didnt pay 200 for transcon J.
All I'm saying is that before we had distance based earning AND they added a transcon J bonus to that, why take away both at the same time? If it was so ridiculously damaging to their bottom line why introduce it? Taking away only one thing at a time wouldve eased the transition for a lot of people.
Sep 3, 2016, 6:51 pm
#1717
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/SFO & ORD
Programs: LT Gold/BA Executive Club/AS MP/Marriott
Posts: 1,646
AA may be clueless but their flights are very full!
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.
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.
At the end of the day, seeing full planes doesn't mean (more) profitability - just ask DL and UA.
Is the credit card waiver more about driving customer loyalty and spend on AA or getting money directly from the bank? To my eyes, it may well be the latter. And maybe Citi and/or Barclays weren't willing to pay AA enough for the airline to see it as worth their while. But I am surprised to see a AA not fulfill their customary monkey-do role.
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.
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 3, 2016, 10:21 pm
#1718
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: CVG
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 90
I understand those that are against the idea of a CC waiver. I can see either side of it. My problem with it is AA thinking they can be so much more restrictive than DL or UA. DL is light years better than AA, and it can be argued UA is better as well, lately. I just don't get going from first to worst in loyalty programs in a few months time.
Sep 4, 2016, 6:04 am
#1719
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
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.
Should there be a downturn in the economy and pax stop flying might be one impetus for FF programs to return to being "nice" to elites; with gas prices low and employment "good", an economic downturn is not on the immediate horizon.
What we need is a new player (maybe an alliance of several existing airlines) to compete with the BIG THREE both pricewise AND FF-wise
.
Sep 4, 2016, 8:13 am
#1720
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
End of summer travels not to mention few competitors and the economy isn't doing too bad either.
At the end of the day, seeing full planes doesn't mean (more) profitability - just ask DL and UA.
They way AA/Citi have been handing out AAdvantage Miles like candy I am surprised they haven't offered a PQD waiver.
At the end of the day, seeing full planes doesn't mean (more) profitability - just ask DL and UA.
They way AA/Citi have been handing out AAdvantage Miles like candy I am surprised they haven't offered a PQD waiver.
Sep 4, 2016, 8:20 am
#1721
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,051
Is the credit card waiver more about driving customer loyalty and spend on AA or getting money directly from the bank? To my eyes, it may well be the latter. And maybe Citi and/or Barclays weren't willing to pay AA enough for the airline to see it as worth their while. But I am surprised to see a AA not fulfill their customary monkey-do role.
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.
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.
I think the waivers are likely entirely being driven by the CC companies, not the airlines. Someone spending $25K on a CC would be considered an HVC by the credit card company, even if they are not considered an HVC by the airline. Airlines need to keep the CC companies happy because of the overall revenue they bring in. It's not about the value of any one customer, it's the overall "relationship value" between the airline and CC company.
Sep 4, 2016, 8:55 am
#1722
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. No longer Palm Coast, FL though still exiled, again, from the Bay Area.
Programs: Only the good ones
Posts: 5,153
Sep 4, 2016, 9:08 am
#1723
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. No longer Palm Coast, FL though still exiled, again, from the Bay Area.
Programs: Only the good ones
Posts: 5,153
You are so right. The days of easy elite qualifications are as dead as meals in Y on a domestic flight. Most FFs are flying AA because they are captive to a hub, are required to do so by corporate policy or are high dollar spend and will benefit under new and upcoming schemes.
Sep 4, 2016, 10:52 am
#1724
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
The value of $25K of CC spend is quite nominal to the airline (around $250 given most estimates of what the CC companies buy miles at). Further it's not exactly free money as it creates a mileage liability. An EXP who was spending $4K/year on tickets and $25K on the CC is nowhere near as valuable as someone spending $12K/year on tickets and zero CC spend.
I think the waivers are likely entirely being driven by the CC companies, not the airlines. Someone spending $25K on a CC would be considered an HVC by the credit card company, even if they are not considered an HVC by the airline. Airlines need to keep the CC companies happy because of the overall revenue they bring in. It's not about the value of any one customer, it's the overall "relationship value" between the airline and CC company.
I think the waivers are likely entirely being driven by the CC companies, not the airlines. Someone spending $25K on a CC would be considered an HVC by the credit card company, even if they are not considered an HVC by the airline. Airlines need to keep the CC companies happy because of the overall revenue they bring in. It's not about the value of any one customer, it's the overall "relationship value" between the airline and CC company.
Sep 4, 2016, 11:46 pm
#1725
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: 3,326
Oh BTW, according to such unreliable sources as the NY Times and Fortune, it would seems that 'Airlines are reaping record profits' and AA lucked out by 'posting better than expected profit'
Oh yeah, United seems to be doing just fine, beating Wall Street's expectations.
Just wondering who is clueless???