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 13, 2016, 6:21 pm
#1021
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, AA Gold, A3 Gold, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,251
The other thing I guess I get value from is the EXP desk and the ability to book awards close to departure and for changing/cancelling award bookings without fees.
I've also generally found AA Customer Service to be far easier to deal with when things go wrong - getting sensible answers out of BA even when you are Gold can sometimes be a challenge (admittedly this is not direct experience, but from a travelling companion I often go on trips with who has BA Gold).
I've also generally found AA Customer Service to be far easier to deal with when things go wrong - getting sensible answers out of BA even when you are Gold can sometimes be a challenge (admittedly this is not direct experience, but from a travelling companion I often go on trips with who has BA Gold).
Jun 13, 2016, 6:24 pm
#1022
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
On SH I generally only fly Economy (Euro Traveller) unless I am connecting to/from a LH flight. In this case, the frequent transits I have through LHR T5 are much nicer when I can use the First Lounge. Prior to this year the only lounge offerings in LHR T5 were from BA, however there is now a paid offering which accepts Priority Pass, so I guess the value of the First Lounge has diminished a little. However, there are still quite a few very nice OW F lounges out there and the EXP card is very handy for getting access to these on a J ticket.
In addition, my premium flying has only really kicked off in the last 3 years. Prior to this I was very much a discount Y flyer (similar travel patterns), in which case the EVIPs were a fantastic asset as were the domestic Y->F upgrades. I still get quite some value from the EVIPs now when upgrading to F on the 77Ws and for use by friends/family.
But now, the value question is an interesting one. I guess I've always been aiming for 2MM mark and LT Plat. I'm fairly close to that now and if I'm completely honest, there is a slight emotional attachment associated with completing something I set out to achieve.
In addition, my premium flying has only really kicked off in the last 3 years. Prior to this I was very much a discount Y flyer (similar travel patterns), in which case the EVIPs were a fantastic asset as were the domestic Y->F upgrades. I still get quite some value from the EVIPs now when upgrading to F on the 77Ws and for use by friends/family.
But now, the value question is an interesting one. I guess I've always been aiming for 2MM mark and LT Plat. I'm fairly close to that now and if I'm completely honest, there is a slight emotional attachment associated with completing something I set out to achieve.
Jun 13, 2016, 6:39 pm
#1023
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, AA Gold, A3 Gold, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,251
I was pondering/voicing an interest in hearing whether AA proactively contacts people who exhibit a marked shift in flying patterns and was doing so in response to zabes64's post about a conversation they had with the Executive Offices - it's not clear to me whether AA contacted zabes64 or whether zabes64 contacted AA.
Jun 13, 2016, 6:47 pm
#1024
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Växjö, SE/Washington, DC
Programs: AA ExPlat, UA 1K (2MM)
Posts: 1,159
I wasn't asking if I would receive a call from AA and I do not expect one. The only time I've had any involvement with AA (outside of transactions related to my travel arrangements) is when they've sponsored events in London and I've received an invitation to attend.
I was pondering/voicing an interest in hearing whether AA proactively contacts people who exhibit a marked shift in flying patterns and was doing so in response to zabes64's post about a conversation they had with the Executive Offices - it's not clear to me whether AA contacted zabes64 or whether zabes64 contacted AA.
I was pondering/voicing an interest in hearing whether AA proactively contacts people who exhibit a marked shift in flying patterns and was doing so in response to zabes64's post about a conversation they had with the Executive Offices - it's not clear to me whether AA contacted zabes64 or whether zabes64 contacted AA.
Last edited by zabes64; Jun 13, 2016 at 6:47 pm Reason: typo
Jun 13, 2016, 6:49 pm
#1025
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, AA Gold, A3 Gold, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,251
Jun 13, 2016, 8:08 pm
#1028
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,625
As from 1 Jan 2017, $12,000 spend is required by 31 Dec 2017 to maintain status for 2018
Jun 13, 2016, 8:17 pm
#1029
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Everywhere
Programs: AA EXP - 3.7MM, Bonv LIFETIME Titan, HH Dmd, Hyatt Glob., Priority Clb Dmd, Ntnl Exec El., Sixt PLT
Posts: 1,680
...
If I'm flying to Asia and I can earn next to no miles on a $500 fare or earn 3,750 miles on a $800 fare (750 net) which one of them can justify $300 for 3,750 miles? They might have before, because they earned 20,000 miles, almost a free ticket so it was worth the $300, now it isn't.
Pricing power has disappeared.
If I'm flying to Asia and I can earn next to no miles on a $500 fare or earn 3,750 miles on a $800 fare (750 net) which one of them can justify $300 for 3,750 miles? They might have before, because they earned 20,000 miles, almost a free ticket so it was worth the $300, now it isn't.
Pricing power has disappeared.
1) If I am flying in Y internationally I would choose AA because of the ability to choose better seats, access lounges, and help with flight interruptions. If I am flying F or J on the same route, I am expecting the same options from an airline where I have no status. Thus, I will choose by price when buying more expensive tickets.
2) In the past, one of my colleagues would always choose a more expensive AA-marketed flight over the same flight sold as BA. Now, it is not worth it.
3) Another of my colleagues just purchased Frontier flights for a business trip because those are $50 cheaper and non-stop.
Jun 13, 2016, 9:40 pm
#1030
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA LT Plat, UA 1k/1mm+, National EE, IC Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,605
I think we are already seeing that. UA is sucking wind on PRASM and PRESM and is seeing falling numbers despite the markets at all time highs and business travel being as frivolous as I have ever seen it. F fares are often dirt cheap, business travelers on expensive tix are not getting upgrades and more and more kettle get cheap up sells to F cabin. What that fits is tell any business traveler that can't book F outright to buy cheapest fare. In the end, the airlines will have commoditized their business entirely, placing a huge burden on keeping costs low and becoming super vulnerable to recessions.
I have seen this cycle in other industries before and it won't be pretty when everything eventually goes to the dogs.
If you fly internationally, taxes and fees will be a very large portion of your ticket cost. It is perfectly possible that one may have to spend $18k to get to $12k EQD. I flew to LHR in January and about half of my ticket was taxes and fees.
I have seen this cycle in other industries before and it won't be pretty when everything eventually goes to the dogs.
If you fly internationally, taxes and fees will be a very large portion of your ticket cost. It is perfectly possible that one may have to spend $18k to get to $12k EQD. I flew to LHR in January and about half of my ticket was taxes and fees.
Jun 13, 2016, 10:57 pm
#1031
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
If AA we're going to use an indicator of value for these issues, wouldn't they already be able to use a passenger's Helix score and see how many Eagles they rate? Not to mention indicators like CK, AirPass, status, etc.
Jun 14, 2016, 3:21 am
#1032
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: BSL
Programs: AA (EXP); among others :)
Posts: 2,524
AA doesn't believe that you're an important customer and they really don't care if you walk. I'd return the favor and just become a free agent. If you are only buying premium long-haul tickets, you don't really need status and you certainly don't need AA. There are generally a lot better travel options out there than AA and BA.
But I travel with a service animal, and a lot of our travel is to or via the US. I am actually happy with AA. So far, the experience with and on AA has been better than on any other airline independent of the ticketed cabin - by a wide margin. This is in no small part due to EXP status, though: No-status acquaintances report less-than-stellar treatment, and this mimics my own experience from back when I first started out with AA. Dealing with Special Assistance has been painless, straightforward and simple ever since attaining EXP status. So, yes, I "need" status, and for us, travel on AA continues to be the best option out there.
I guess I`ll wait and see how EQD will be calculated on partner-issued tickets and just transfer the vast majority of my ticket buying spend away from AA onto partners, basically using BA, AB or AY as ticket agents.
I`ve done that in the past when purchasing a second seat on AA flights. Prices mostly were identical to the ones I got on aa.com. Hopefully this will be a viable workaround (dreading IRROPS and rebookings...).
Well, we'll all see on July 15 when the partner earning charts are released. I hope that earning won't bee too different from what it is today, at least for the (heavily discounted) business class fares I`ve been buying lately.
This. I would need to spend between $15k and $16k including taxes to get above the EQD threshold. Not going to happen.
Last edited by bhomburg; Jun 14, 2016 at 3:39 am
Jun 14, 2016, 3:34 am
#1033
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: BSL
Programs: AA (EXP); among others :)
Posts: 2,524
Jun 14, 2016, 4:35 am
#1034
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
The airlines in this oligopolistic landscape are further commoditizing their business. Commoditization of an industry/offering comes with diminished pricing power; but that commoditization doesn't quickly hurt the industry's sellers as much when the market is more oligopolistic than it would otherwise have been if the government hadn't granted these industry behemoths so many waivers and favors at the expense of consumers.
AA's just doing what the marketplace lets it do. And my response to these AA actions (of commoditization by way of gutting the value gotten out of the frequent flyer program from flying on the airline)? To sort of continue to do what I've been doing, but doing it more: shopping around with less and less concern for the "discounts" provided by way of the frequent flyer program.
Jun 14, 2016, 7:06 am
#1035
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
This may have been mentioned already and been answered.... but.....
Seems to me that my "Platinum for Life" status has just taken a major DOWNGRADE.
Since they changed the up grade window for Platinum, and Platinum used to be the 2nd highest Elite level... and those two 'perks' are now changed... (and I have not considered what other looses there are in this 'new' arrangement).... looks like all of us "Platinum for Lifers" are taking it on the chin. Thanks AA.
Seems to me that my "Platinum for Life" status has just taken a major DOWNGRADE.
Since they changed the up grade window for Platinum, and Platinum used to be the 2nd highest Elite level... and those two 'perks' are now changed... (and I have not considered what other looses there are in this 'new' arrangement).... looks like all of us "Platinum for Lifers" are taking it on the chin. Thanks AA.