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, 11:23 am
#62
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Yes.
Jun 6, 2016, 11:23 am
#63
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: AA EXP, AS MVP Gold, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Platinum
Posts: 142
This isn't related to AA per se but from what I see Singapore Airlines gives almost 100% mileage to flying United. Has anyone considered that as a viable alternative? My travel is split evenly between domestic and long haul international.
Jun 6, 2016, 11:23 am
#64
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: MEM, TLV
Programs: DL, AA PLT, US, HH Gold, BW Diamond, Avis PP, Choice PLT
Posts: 559
Disgusting what they did... Every last change has been a bad move.
This is what happens when you only have three airlines controlling the entire USA. When they all get together and do the same thing there is no need for competitiveness.
Call it whatever you want but the big three have a joint monopoly of the USA skies.
This is what happens when you only have three airlines controlling the entire USA. When they all get together and do the same thing there is no need for competitiveness.
Call it whatever you want but the big three have a joint monopoly of the USA skies.
Jun 6, 2016, 11:23 am
#65
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,049
Allowing some part of some partner flights to earn EQD is the compensation for not being US based.
Jun 6, 2016, 11:24 am
#66
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,516
Also, the reality of FFPs in today's world - and as noted by posters here and Gary Leff in his column - is that especially with the mergers in the U.S., there are too many top tier members. "Culling the herd" is an annoying phrase used repeatedly on the other forum, but it is what it is.
Jun 6, 2016, 11:25 am
#67
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Beantown! (BOS)
Programs: AA PtPro (2 MM); Hilton Diamond; Hertz President Cr; DL SkyMiles; UA MileagePlus
Posts: 3,437
Yes, that is what I thought will happen. With AA/US merger, new AAdvantage program may have too many elites and my thought was that AAdvantage will increase the elite qualifying level to adjust the number of elites in the program.
Jun 6, 2016, 11:28 am
#68
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Rolling Lakes Yacht Club
Posts: 4,985
So EXP is still 100K EQM, while PPro is 90K EQM?
If I read between the lines, I'd bet EXP will eventually be 120K EQMs and 2017 is just a transitional year to soften the blow.
My gripe is who came up the names for the levels? Platinum Pro....jeezus!
If I read between the lines, I'd bet EXP will eventually be 120K EQMs and 2017 is just a transitional year to soften the blow.
My gripe is who came up the names for the levels? Platinum Pro....jeezus!
Jun 6, 2016, 11:29 am
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
A victory for the Corporate Set 1% whose companies bestow premium travel on them. For the rest of us, AAdvantage has gone "from first to worst".
Jun 6, 2016, 11:30 am
#71
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: MEL
Posts: 25
This August 1st business isn't cool, they could have at least relented to the October 1st rumour.
Or, you know, let us know dates months ago (yeah, I stupidly booked AA flights for August and September last week). Just checked and these flights will now earn 1/7 the amount of miles now (or return MEL-SYD-TYO less
Or, you know, let us know dates months ago (yeah, I stupidly booked AA flights for August and September last week). Just checked and these flights will now earn 1/7 the amount of miles now (or return MEL-SYD-TYO less
Jun 6, 2016, 11:31 am
#72
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, UA Silver
Posts: 1,366
I'm still thinking through the changes. As someone who values RDM more than anything else (I get great value out of them for family trips), I have stuck with AA because of their earning policy. I knew the change was coming, but since UA and Delta have already gone there, I figured I'd stick with AA since they didn't have a minimum spend for status (and I am only allowed to fly Y for work). As others have said, with these new changes, there's really nothing separating the AA program from that of the other two carriers. I guess I now have to weigh between the benefits of status (which for me is primarily seat assignment and lounge access) and the benefit of being able to take whichever carrier has the best flight timings. I've taken some terrible routings over the past few years to stay with OW over direct flights on the other two. As much as I want to proudly declare myself a "Platinum Pro" (has anyone made the t-shirts yet?), I suspect I'm going to start choosing based on minimizing travel time in economy, rather than keeping my status...
Jun 6, 2016, 11:31 am
#73
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
There will likely be some thinning, but if DL and UA are any indicator, it won't really be noticeable for most travelers, especially at the lower ranks. DL has had this for years and yet you still see 60-70 or more elites on the upgrade list on many of their flights.
Jun 6, 2016, 11:31 am
#74
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,516
This August 1st business isn't cool, they could have at least relented to the October 1st rumour.
Or, you know, let us know dates months ago (yeah, I stupidly booked AA flights for August and September last week). Just checked and these flights will now earn 1/7 the amount of miles now (or return MEL-SYD-TYO less
Or, you know, let us know dates months ago (yeah, I stupidly booked AA flights for August and September last week). Just checked and these flights will now earn 1/7 the amount of miles now (or return MEL-SYD-TYO less
Jun 6, 2016, 11:32 am
#75
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: a hotel room, somewhere...
Posts: 962
yep, same as i posted in the other thread (that should have been merged with this one an hour ago). i have already made ExP to 2.2018, then i'm gone- but will start crediting to my new friend AS starting Aug 1. buy ticket, apply SWU, credit flight to AS: will be a familiar pattern the next 20 months or so. that, and using AA miles while i still have all my ExP award ticket change abilities.