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
Jun 6, 2016, 5:56 pm
#331
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Andover, MA, 01810
Posts: 1,972
I'm surprised no one is mentioning (or maybe I just didn't see), but I think AA should honor the current earning rates for tickets that are already purchased. When I bought tickets, the rates were advertised at a certain amount, and sure there was something saying in the future it would be different, but no one could know exactly what the earning would be and when, until today. Is this not the definition of bait and switch? And it's legal??
Come on AA, are there really that many tickets already purchased for beyond Aug 1 that you can't afford to do the right thing?
Come on AA, are there really that many tickets already purchased for beyond Aug 1 that you can't afford to do the right thing?
Jun 6, 2016, 5:59 pm
#332
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: MDE
Programs: AA EP, CM PP, AV GM, UA Silver, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,002
I'm surprised no one is mentioning (or maybe I just didn't see), but I think AA should honor the current earning rates for tickets that are already purchased. When I bought tickets, the rates were advertised at a certain amount, and sure there was something saying in the future it would be different, but no one could know exactly what the earning would be and when, until today. Is this not the definition of bait and switch? And it's legal??
Come on AA, are there really that many tickets already purchased for beyond Aug 1 that you can't afford to do the right thing?
Come on AA, are there really that many tickets already purchased for beyond Aug 1 that you can't afford to do the right thing?
https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/e...false&from=Nav
Edit: Sorry. I guess this page is still correct. My mistake.
Jun 6, 2016, 6:00 pm
#333
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
If you will qualify for EXP under the new system, AND your company will not pay for premium classes, then the "go free agent" really is not the best move. At least sticking with one airline gives you a shot at upgrades.
Jun 6, 2016, 6:06 pm
#335
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: PHL
Programs: AA
Posts: 342
Was on track to make Gold next year with paid upcoming travel already booked the rest of this year.
Just about to book another trip PHL-SEA. Was going to be AA, now going to cheapest carrier. My loyalty is over.
Just about to book another trip PHL-SEA. Was going to be AA, now going to cheapest carrier. My loyalty is over.
Jun 6, 2016, 6:07 pm
#336
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,575
I'm surprised no one is mentioning (or maybe I just didn't see), but I think AA should honor the current earning rates for tickets that are already purchased. When I bought tickets, the rates were advertised at a certain amount, and sure there was something saying in the future it would be different, but no one could know exactly what the earning would be and when, until today. Is this not the definition of bait and switch? And it's legal??
Come on AA, are there really that many tickets already purchased for beyond Aug 1 that you can't afford to do the right thing?
Come on AA, are there really that many tickets already purchased for beyond Aug 1 that you can't afford to do the right thing?
Any purchase for travel after July 2nd carried the risk ( or benefit depending on the fare ) that the earnings will be at the new rate
Jun 6, 2016, 6:08 pm
#337
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
I'm surprised no one is mentioning (or maybe I just didn't see), but I think AA should honor the current earning rates for tickets that are already purchased. When I bought tickets, the rates were advertised at a certain amount, and sure there was something saying in the future it would be different, but no one could know exactly what the earning would be and when, until today.
Jun 6, 2016, 6:12 pm
#338
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: MDE
Programs: AA EP, CM PP, AV GM, UA Silver, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,002
I have seen nothing mentioned here nor on AA's site. Does anyone know what paid J/F will earn with these changes? I could have missed it, but the double EQMs are more important to me than anything here.
Jun 6, 2016, 6:13 pm
#339
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
Jun 6, 2016, 6:17 pm
#340
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: MDE
Programs: AA EP, CM PP, AV GM, UA Silver, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,002
Jun 6, 2016, 6:18 pm
#341
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
I'm surprised no one is mentioning (or maybe I just didn't see), but I think AA should honor the current earning rates for tickets that are already purchased. When I bought tickets, the rates were advertised at a certain amount, and sure there was something saying in the future it would be different, but no one could know exactly what the earning would be and when, until today. Is this not the definition of bait and switch? And it's legal??
Come on AA, are there really that many tickets already purchased for beyond Aug 1 that you can't afford to do the right thing?
Come on AA, are there really that many tickets already purchased for beyond Aug 1 that you can't afford to do the right thing?
And yes, it's legal - AA has the caveat it can change AAdvantage terms and conditions at will, essentially. As to whether it can be considered bait and switch, if you consider it so then it can be.
I was surprised by Suzanne Rubin's statement that revenue based earning might occur in September, but more likely in August (in spite of her retirement announcement soon after).
Jun 6, 2016, 6:22 pm
#342
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
The only possible changes we might expect is if the coming "Basic Economy" will earn 1.0 of fractional EQM. (Regardless, I doubt many flying Basic Economy will meet the minimum ZEQD requirements.)
Jun 6, 2016, 6:36 pm
#343
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Vail, CO
Programs: AA EXP/1mm, Marriott Titanium/LT Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 626
I have seen this asked but not sure answered - if SWUs have already cleared can I credit a flight to AS instead of AA? I am going to Australia on 8.10 so getting totally burned now by the 8.1 D-Day. I already matched to 75K - I would be out of my mind not to credit to AS right? I will not hit 150k for the extra SWUs which would have been the only other mitigating factor as I see it...
Jun 6, 2016, 6:39 pm
#344
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,575
I have seen this asked but not sure answered - if SWUs have already cleared can I credit a flight to AS instead of AA? I am going to Australia on 8.10 so getting totally burned now by the 8.1 D-Day. I already matched to 75K - I would be out of my mind not to credit to AS right? I will not hit 150k for the extra SWUs which would have been the only other mitigating factor as I see it...
From what the fare paid is and whether worth having miles off in another scheme is something that you can best answer yourself
e.g. if paying $2000 for a r/t LAX-SYD - earning 22,000 miles as a member holding EP status to AA would be better than earning 14,976 (if a non status member) to AS
I would not be surprised , however, if AA earnings to AS get adjusted
Last edited by Dave Noble; Jun 6, 2016 at 6:44 pm
Jun 6, 2016, 6:42 pm
#345
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Independent! But mostly BKK, BCN, SFO, PDX, SEA...
Programs: Lawl COVID
Posts: 1,060
I will admit, I'm surprised more people aren't more upset. Lucky at onemileatatime has an excellent write-up (at least I think it is as I agree with it!)
But, hey, if folks -aren't- appalled, that's certainly their prerogative and I clearly "misread the crowd"-- I still say these changes are AAbysmal. YMMV x 1000, needless to say.
Maybe a poll attached to the thread would be interesting.
But, hey, if folks -aren't- appalled, that's certainly their prerogative and I clearly "misread the crowd"-- I still say these changes are AAbysmal. YMMV x 1000, needless to say.
Maybe a poll attached to the thread would be interesting.