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 9, 2016, 11:52 am
#811
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: WN CP, AA PLT, IHG PLT, Hyatt PLT, BW DI
Posts: 18
Jun 9, 2016, 12:00 pm
#812
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Platinum Medallion, AA Lifetime Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold, Amtrak Select
Posts: 303
Jun 9, 2016, 12:16 pm
#814
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Announcement said EQD start for flights on Jan 1 2017 for 2018 qualification.
Jun 9, 2016, 12:42 pm
#815
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,520
As 110pgl notes, EQD in 2016 do not apply for earning status. The EQD requirement for status earning begins January 1, 2017.
Jun 9, 2016, 1:00 pm
#816
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: WFBF
Posts: 963
Revenue-based FF programs have an incredibly obvious goal, and it's to put a price floor on elite status in order to kill the practice of picking up high-tier status at low cost through cheap mileage/segment runs. The airlines are saying loud and clear that status costs at least this many dollars, no less.
And really the language you used here is telling: FTers who hunt for the best/cheapest MRs and all pile into a deep-discount plane to ANC or do insane multi-segment hops... aren't the airlines' "best customers", by a long shot. Given the margin on flights and the cost of the higher-tier perks, the average FT-reading mileage-optimizing AA EXP probably is a net financial loss for the airline, and AA won't shed any tears about seeing a bunch of them fall to lower tiers or out of status entirely.
Jun 9, 2016, 1:00 pm
#817
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,044
Let's start with the most basic question; do you now or do you plan to spend more that $12,000 per year (in base fare and carrier surcharges, remember the other taxes do NOT count) on American Airlines flying?
Regards
Jun 9, 2016, 1:05 pm
#818
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: WN CP, AA PLT, IHG PLT, Hyatt PLT, BW DI
Posts: 18
The way I read it, for purposes of the upgrade priority change 'later in 2017', I believe they will start tracking the EQDs for the EQD average sometime this year (whenever systems are updated to support it).
As 110pgl notes, EQD in 2016 do not apply for earning status. The EQD requirement for status earning begins January 1, 2017.
As 110pgl notes, EQD in 2016 do not apply for earning status. The EQD requirement for status earning begins January 1, 2017.
presumably SOMETIME next year, not in 2018 but NEXT year, they're going to start prioritizing upgrades on EQD spend, no?
So that means they have to start tracking this year.
Jun 9, 2016, 1:08 pm
#819
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: WN CP, AA PLT, IHG PLT, Hyatt PLT, BW DI
Posts: 18
You are making this a little harder than it needs to be.
Let's start with the most basic question; do you now or do you plan to spend more that $12,000 per year (in base fare and carrier surcharges, remember the other taxes do NOT count) on American Airlines flying?
Regards
Let's start with the most basic question; do you now or do you plan to spend more that $12,000 per year (in base fare and carrier surcharges, remember the other taxes do NOT count) on American Airlines flying?
Regards
Point is, I was wondering when they'll start counting EQDs from THIS year to prioritize upgrades for next
Jun 9, 2016, 1:16 pm
#820
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
So now you double your spend and only buy cheap tickets. Big change.
You are kind of a moving target, aren't you?
Jun 9, 2016, 1:18 pm
#821
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Are they?
Revenue-based FF programs have an incredibly obvious goal, and it's to put a price floor on elite status in order to kill the practice of picking up high-tier status at low cost through cheap mileage/segment runs. The airlines are saying loud and clear that status costs at least this many dollars, no less.
And really the language you used here is telling: FTers who hunt for the best/cheapest MRs and all pile into a deep-discount plane to ANC or do insane multi-segment hops... aren't the airlines' "best customers", by a long shot. Given the margin on flights and the cost of the higher-tier perks, the average FT-reading mileage-optimizing AA EXP probably is a net financial loss for the airline, and AA won't shed any tears about seeing a bunch of them fall to lower tiers or out of status entirely.
Revenue-based FF programs have an incredibly obvious goal, and it's to put a price floor on elite status in order to kill the practice of picking up high-tier status at low cost through cheap mileage/segment runs. The airlines are saying loud and clear that status costs at least this many dollars, no less.
And really the language you used here is telling: FTers who hunt for the best/cheapest MRs and all pile into a deep-discount plane to ANC or do insane multi-segment hops... aren't the airlines' "best customers", by a long shot. Given the margin on flights and the cost of the higher-tier perks, the average FT-reading mileage-optimizing AA EXP probably is a net financial loss for the airline, and AA won't shed any tears about seeing a bunch of them fall to lower tiers or out of status entirely.
Jun 9, 2016, 1:37 pm
#822
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,044
1) You are saying that you are spending ~$30,000 per year, in BASE fare, meaning your total actual spend would be far greater than $30k when including taxes and fees and...
2) You are doing that in discounted coach...
3) Without flying internationally and...
4) You are flying more than 100,000 miles per year...
I guess this is possible, but I'm struggling to envision this...
Regards
Jun 9, 2016, 1:49 pm
#823
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: WFBF
Posts: 963
If the qualification was too easy and the benefits cost more than the "elite" was bringing to the airline, do you feel AA should continue throwing good money after bad in the name of rewarding "loyalty"?
Jun 9, 2016, 1:58 pm
#824
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,625
Choice tickets are discounted economy tickets. They may not be the cheapest tickets that AA offers, but they are not full fare tickets. Purchasing one way choice fares seems to be correctly described as discount fares
Many of the fares out of DFW to smaller markets for Choice Plus or refundable are in the ~300-400 range whereas the miles are almost always less than 1.5k.
So let's say I book a $400 one way ticket before taxes (I only book one way for flexibility) and it's less than a 1500 mile trip (pretty much anywhere from DFW). You're looking at 3200 EQMs as a Platinum under the new system (8 EQM per dollar) whereas the mileage would be, even to Seattle or Northern New England or something, far less than that.
So let's say I book a $400 one way ticket before taxes (I only book one way for flexibility) and it's less than a 1500 mile trip (pretty much anywhere from DFW). You're looking at 3200 EQMs as a Platinum under the new system (8 EQM per dollar) whereas the mileage would be, even to Seattle or Northern New England or something, far less than that.
Last edited by Dave Noble; Jun 9, 2016 at 2:03 pm
Jun 9, 2016, 2:00 pm
#825
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club (Silver), Le Club Accor (Silver)
Posts: 680
Having 3 award tickets to the Olympics in two months, might be hard for me to agree that those AA miles are useless. They also got me tickets to Athens, Beijing and London. Where are you trying to go? Without details, including destinations and how far out you're booking, just another rant.
I just don't see this horrid AA service that you do.
I just don't see this horrid AA service that you do.