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
Jan 3, 2017, 11:11 am
#1981
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,005
Ask DL and UA (spoiler alert: no.) See all the (still) frequent references to crowded clubs and upgrade lists 50, 60, 70+ deep.
Introducing EQDs (and MQDs and PQDs) has NOTHING to do with reducing the elite ranks (WHY would an airline want to reduce the number of people who fly very frequently?) and everything to do with incentivising higher fare spend (and co-brand CC spend).
Introducing EQDs (and MQDs and PQDs) has NOTHING to do with reducing the elite ranks (WHY would an airline want to reduce the number of people who fly very frequently?) and everything to do with incentivising higher fare spend (and co-brand CC spend).
Jan 3, 2017, 2:40 pm
#1982
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
99% of the whining can be traced to people wanting elite perks but not spending elite dollars. There are plenty of threads that explain how to get EQD spending on partner airlines without spending as much (buying $1500 PE+ fares on CX for example that yield $3000+ EQDs). One can easily obtain $12k in EQDs without spending that much.
I'm not a CK-level flier, but in the past I've qualified for EXP on points rather than miles some years. I fly paid (discount) business and first class on a pretty regular basis. I spend a fair amount more more than $12K per year on airline tickets. I'm pretty sure AA wants my business, but the recent changes to AAdvantage have driven the majority of my spend to Delta since I requalified for EXP in the middle of last year.
Jan 3, 2017, 3:30 pm
#1983
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,294
I disagree. AAdvantage has been seriously downgraded over the past 12-24 months in numerous substantial ways regardless of how you earn your status. Even things that were initially advertised as improvements (e.g., now extra SWUs for travel beyond 100K EQMs will be given automatically instead of having to call in and beg) have turned into downgrades (now you have to get twice as many EQMs for the same number of SWUs and still have to call in if you want more than that and it seems less likely than in the past). It's harder to use miles, harder to use SWUs, and the killer benefit of EXP in the past--the EXP desk--is not as good as it used to be either.
I'm not a CK-level flier, but in the past I've qualified for EXP on points rather than miles some years. I fly paid (discount) business and first class on a pretty regular basis. I spend a fair amount more more than $12K per year on airline tickets. I'm pretty sure AA wants my business, but the recent changes to AAdvantage have driven the majority of my spend to Delta since I requalified for EXP in the middle of last year.
I'm not a CK-level flier, but in the past I've qualified for EXP on points rather than miles some years. I fly paid (discount) business and first class on a pretty regular basis. I spend a fair amount more more than $12K per year on airline tickets. I'm pretty sure AA wants my business, but the recent changes to AAdvantage have driven the majority of my spend to Delta since I requalified for EXP in the middle of last year.
I understand that these are first world problems -- that we are fortunate to have the time and some of the money needed to do such frivolous things, and that for others of you, the SWUs are going to palliate intense business travel for yourselves. But for us, the whole thing is a loss, and while I do also pay (or have someone else pay) for some F and J flying during the year, I am less and less motivated to do that on AA. I don't know how much AA got from the BA purchased and AARP-reduced cheapo-J fares I just bought to ride on them late spring, but it's hard for me to see that it could be much more than the $1350 Y fares I bought last year, with a time-of-purchase-available SWU from AA (and easy to see how it could be a lot less). So be it.
Jan 3, 2017, 7:00 pm
#1984
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 375
Jan 3, 2017, 8:18 pm
#1985
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,590
Jan 3, 2017, 9:03 pm
#1986
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Adding to Dave... recent QR Business class from BKK to LAX - 3x plus positioning flight puts you well over 100k EQM and $12k EQD for well under $6k.
Jan 3, 2017, 9:37 pm
#1987
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, AA Gold, A3 Gold, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,251
What is it when you add on the cost of getting to BKK as I assume many AAdvantage members don't live there? (Positioning flights also in J)
Jan 3, 2017, 9:48 pm
#1988
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,590
You could get an E class r/t Cathay Pacific flight to embed the flights giving $3,648 EQDs for $1940 starting from JFK or $1788 from LAX giving around $3323 EQDs
Jan 4, 2017, 2:27 am
#1989
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 375
Jan 4, 2017, 9:28 pm
#1991
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,314
99% of the whining can be traced to people wanting elite perks but not spending elite dollars. There are plenty of threads that explain how to get EQD spending on partner airlines without spending as much (buying $1500 PE+ fares on CX for example that yield $3000+ EQDs). One can easily obtain $12k in EQDs without spending that much.
Jan 4, 2017, 9:47 pm
#1992
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: OKC
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, Marriott Rewards Gold, Hilton Honors Diamond, TK M&S Elite
Posts: 290
And I agree with you. In fact, you had another post on an SWU-related thread that was spot on. For some of us -- not for all of us -- a large part of the value of an SWU is knowing you can use it. When I'm on my own, I'd prefer to ride up front on a TATL, but I don't care that much if I have to hump it in the rear, especially back in the days when I thought that that was getting me somewhere RDM and status-wise. So we (spouse and I) devoted the SWUs (and, before that, US CP certs) to TATL travel together. The travel is discretionary. Until this year I was always able to find flights where I could apply certs and then SWUs at time of booking. This was great in two inter-related respects. First, for my wife (and for us traveling together), the anticipation of a comparatively "easy" trip from beginning to end (why else do we get Global Entry, club memberships, or status for clubs in Europe?) was worth probably as much as the actual physical improvement in circumstances for 8 or 9 hours. Second (the corollary), my wife's just not as gung-ho about signing on for some of these trips, especially the long-weekend in Europe variety (4 nights, say) when we may have to do both sides of the short turnaround in Y. Which cuts down on the opportunities to even see whether these things will ever clear!
I understand that these are first world problems -- that we are fortunate to have the time and some of the money needed to do such frivolous things, and that for others of you, the SWUs are going to palliate intense business travel for yourselves. But for us, the whole thing is a loss, and while I do also pay (or have someone else pay) for some F and J flying during the year, I am less and less motivated to do that on AA. I don't know how much AA got from the BA purchased and AARP-reduced cheapo-J fares I just bought to ride on them late spring, but it's hard for me to see that it could be much more than the $1350 Y fares I bought last year, with a time-of-purchase-available SWU from AA (and easy to see how it could be a lot less). So be it.
I understand that these are first world problems -- that we are fortunate to have the time and some of the money needed to do such frivolous things, and that for others of you, the SWUs are going to palliate intense business travel for yourselves. But for us, the whole thing is a loss, and while I do also pay (or have someone else pay) for some F and J flying during the year, I am less and less motivated to do that on AA. I don't know how much AA got from the BA purchased and AARP-reduced cheapo-J fares I just bought to ride on them late spring, but it's hard for me to see that it could be much more than the $1350 Y fares I bought last year, with a time-of-purchase-available SWU from AA (and easy to see how it could be a lot less). So be it.
Jan 5, 2017, 1:14 am
#1993
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Everywhere you wanna be
Programs: AA EP | UA 1K
Posts: 1,657
Ask DL and UA (spoiler alert: no.) See all the (still) frequent references to crowded clubs and upgrade lists 50, 60, 70+ deep.
Introducing EQDs (and MQDs and PQDs) has NOTHING to do with reducing the elite ranks (WHY would an airline want to reduce the number of people who fly very frequently?) and everything to do with incentivising higher fare spend (and co-brand CC spend).
Introducing EQDs (and MQDs and PQDs) has NOTHING to do with reducing the elite ranks (WHY would an airline want to reduce the number of people who fly very frequently?) and everything to do with incentivising higher fare spend (and co-brand CC spend).
While only EXPs get unlimited upgrades and all other elites have to request it. EQDs do thin out the elite herds as evidenced here by all the people declaring they're jumping ship because they dont want to meet the minimum spending. And the same things happened at UA and DL as well. People became free agents or simply didn't wanna spend $12+k for top tier status.
BOS-HKG-BKK: 9010 miles.
E Fare 1.5EQM/Mile Flown Bonus = 13515 EQMs
EQD Calculation for E fare= 9010(0.2)= 1802
So $3604 EQDs, 27030 EQMs for $1692. 4 of these and you have EP status for less than $7k. And that's assuming you don't find any other fare sales.
Last edited by Col Ronson; Jan 5, 2017 at 1:21 am
Jan 5, 2017, 9:47 am
#1994
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
EQDs do thin out the elite herds as evidenced here by all the people declaring they're jumping ship because they dont want to meet the minimum spending. And the same things happened at UA and DL as well. People became free agents or simply didn't wanna spend $12+k for top tier status.
Jan 5, 2017, 9:50 am
#1995
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
It must be true that it has some effect, but it's possible that the effect is not that big outside of message boards where people try to optimize elite benefits for the smallest price possible, and so therefore not that noticeable overall.