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
Oct 23, 2016, 9:50 pm
#1877
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
Thanks, I see that breakdown (separating carrier imposed fess and (gov't) taxes). Until EQD got into the picture, this was only "interesting" info, now (as of 1/1/17) it is more important, shouldn't the RECEIPT show it also?
Oct 23, 2016, 10:14 pm
#1878
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
I agree that it will be more relevant from 1/1/17 , though would be more inclined to say that surcharges should be abolished and that they be incorporated into the base fare , such as AA does on some other routes
Oct 24, 2016, 2:59 am
#1879
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: LAS/DXB
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 1,193
Is there any information if EQD earned on AA metal will be prioritized over EQD earned on partner airlines? Roughly half of my EQD would come from flights on CX/JL/BA, while AA is getting the rest. I'll have no problem hitting the EQD threshold, but I'd be interested if I'd have a disadvantage when it comes to upgrade priority.
Oct 24, 2016, 6:28 am
#1880
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
Is there any information if EQD earned on AA metal will be prioritized over EQD earned on partner airlines? Roughly half of my EQD would come from flights on CX/JL/BA, while AA is getting the rest. I'll have no problem hitting the EQD threshold, but I'd be interested if I'd have a disadvantage when it comes to upgrade priority.
Oct 24, 2016, 9:33 am
#1881
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EP; WN CP;UA SILVER; MARRIOTT TITANIUM; HH DIAMOND; IHG PLAT; RADISSON PLAT; HYATT GLOBAL
Posts: 1,938
What a joke on my last ORD-EWR r/t on my $150 fare. Any my non status brother got an upgrade offer at check in for $100; Each way.
Oct 24, 2016, 9:43 am
#1882
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
And no way I consider domestic F on a ~700 mile route worth $100 each-way. Not worth paying for.
Oct 24, 2016, 9:56 am
#1883
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: San Diego
Programs: AA Exec Plat, but likely for not much longer
Posts: 182
So I gave it a try under the new system. RDMs are way, way down. Award tickets cost more and, unless you want BA and it's sky high surcharges, inventory is way, way down. Very, very difficult to get confirmed SWUs at the time of booking. Every SWU on international has gone down to the day of travel for a decision. Less SWU's for the same amount of flying. And domestic complementary upgrades are now clearing less than 50% when they were about 95%. Looks like a clean sweep, without one recognizable "enhancement." Can't wait for SWU's to start clearing first for those with spend-happy company purchasers, and for SWU's to get you just to premium economy. My travel now will move to anywhere Alaska flies (and Virgin after the combination), and I will focus on seeing the USA as a Gold 75K instead of international travel on AA in a game not worth playing.
Oct 31, 2016, 8:57 pm
#1886
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire, National ExecElite
Posts: 16
EXP every year for a while now. Here is what I have seen during the 12 Months of enhancements:
- SWU halved for same flying. Bummer
- All my tickets have gone up in price. However the tax&fees part is what makes an expensive ticket accrue fewer miles.
- LAX-LHR roundtrip used to accrue ~22k miles, now it is a pale fraction.
- Award availability:
- the tool is built to make you give up.
- If there is a connection, they will show crazy layovers.
- If they can, they will push flights with BA, with senseless fees that cost as much as a normal ticket.
- flying on their metal is always more expensive in terms of miles.
- availability is getting ridiculous.
I am shaking my head and thinking: Reallly?
I will move for 2017 to another airline, and I will give my (useless) 700k miles to charity.
- SWU halved for same flying. Bummer
- All my tickets have gone up in price. However the tax&fees part is what makes an expensive ticket accrue fewer miles.
- LAX-LHR roundtrip used to accrue ~22k miles, now it is a pale fraction.
- Award availability:
- the tool is built to make you give up.
- If there is a connection, they will show crazy layovers.
- If they can, they will push flights with BA, with senseless fees that cost as much as a normal ticket.
- flying on their metal is always more expensive in terms of miles.
- availability is getting ridiculous.
I am shaking my head and thinking: Reallly?
I will move for 2017 to another airline, and I will give my (useless) 700k miles to charity.
Nov 1, 2016, 4:50 am
#1888
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire, National ExecElite
Posts: 16
In the following page AA has an example of DFW-LHR, showing an example where the itinerary accrues 20.800 miles.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...am-updates.jsp
I just run the SNA-DFW-LHR, and it netted 9k miles.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...am-updates.jsp
I just run the SNA-DFW-LHR, and it netted 9k miles.
Nov 1, 2016, 5:55 am
#1889
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Platinum, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,039
It is now November 1st...and still no announcement on EQD waivers. To me, this is really getting very late to announce this in time for 2017. JonNYC, any update on this?
Nov 1, 2016, 6:13 am
#1890
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
I am curious as to why people are expecting an announcement on EQD. AA has not hinted at doing one. If they planned on an EQD waiver for 2017, I would think it would have been part of the original announcement. A way of "softening the blow".