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, 12:01 pm
#106
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
On DL.com, when you select a flight when you're logged in, it tells you how many MQDs, MQMs, and RDMs you'll earn (based on your current elite status) on the enter passenger info screen. This is usually but not always accurate. Hopefully, AA will do something similar. However, my experience is that DL's much-mocked IT is now significantly better than AA's.
So that you know what you’ll earn with us, in late June, you’ll be able to see estimates of award miles*, EQDs**, EQMs and EQSs when you’re booking your flight on aa.com.
Jun 6, 2016, 12:02 pm
#107
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
I think this actually works out better for me. I'm a plat and travel mostly from SFO-LAX. My avg ticket price is $450 and currently net 2000 miles per RT. With the new program I will be netting $450x9=4050 x 60% bonus = 6480 miles. Does that sound about right? I will most likely make ExPlat this year so that would be even more $450x11=4950 x 120% = 10,890 miles
You get 8 RDMs per dollar as a PLT, so 450 * 8 = 3600
You get 11 RDMs as and EXP, so 450 * 11 = 4950.
Jun 6, 2016, 12:02 pm
#108
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
I think this actually works out better for me. I'm a plat and travel mostly from SFO-LAX. My avg ticket price is $450 and currently net 2000 miles per RT. With the new program I will be netting $450x9=4050 x 60% bonus = 6480 miles. Does that sound about right? I will most likely make ExPlat this year so that would be even more $450x11=4950 x 120% = 10,890 miles
The 6x, 8x, 9x, and 11x multipliers already account for the x% "bonus" over the non-status member earning 5x/$ fare+carrier surcharges.
Also, your $450 ticket will earn something less than 450*11, as RDMs will be earned on total of fare + carrier fees/surcharges, but not inclusive of government fees/taxes.
Assuming average of 15% or so in gov't fees/taxes, you'd earn something like 391*11 = 4301 AAdv miles on that trip.
Jun 6, 2016, 12:03 pm
#109
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Trenton, NJ (PHL, EWR)
Programs: A3 Gold, BA Bronze
Posts: 1,633
I mean...current Platinum, but I'll never hit the $6,000 threshold. Most of my tickets are either cheapish Y tickets on AA or partner flights that won't earn much of anything for PQD. Currently have a fully refundable J/F bucket ticket ex-Asia booked for January that would have gotten me 33,000 EQM, but only cost $1,700. What's the point of flying that now? I'm not going to spend $4,300 more. I get that they want to fall in line with the others, but they're not going to gain any new customers with this, and they're just going to drive people like me to no longer care who we book with since we'll never hit status with anyone.
Time to sign up for the Amex Platinum card for lounge access worldwide and be done with trying to get status for international lounge access. $450/yr is better than spending $6,000 and earning next to nothing in RDM.
Time to sign up for the Amex Platinum card for lounge access worldwide and be done with trying to get status for international lounge access. $450/yr is better than spending $6,000 and earning next to nothing in RDM.
Jun 6, 2016, 12:05 pm
#110
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
If a spending waiver is subsequently introduced through credit card spend, what are the chances of AA extending that to their UK card? I could easily chuck all my spending onto it to meet the requirement, but their current UK card is with MBNA and works in a completely different (and inferior) way to the US version.
Jun 6, 2016, 12:07 pm
#111
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: BUR/LAX, PHL
Programs: AA - EXP, UA - resigned in protest, Marriott - Platinum, Pepsi - Platinum, TSA One-Finger Saluter
Posts: 245
Jun 6, 2016, 12:07 pm
#112
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,387
Certainly there should be other options for where to put those miles. BA or AS might not be terrible options if you want to stick miles from premium class cabins into an account for future use.
Jun 6, 2016, 12:08 pm
#113
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Midwest
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 120
Unnecessarily Complicated
So now we are taking a dollar amount and multiplying it by a factor while keeping a separate entry for miles flown.
It's gotten so far away from "Miles" that the entire scheme should just be called AA Reward Points.
It's my nerdy delight. I spend quite a bit two weeks out and will handily make Platinum this year - on track to pro in 2017. But how is the flying public going to have any idea about the system? The occasional traveler has a snowballs chance in Phoenix of accruing enough miles for a free ticket.
It's gotten so far away from "Miles" that the entire scheme should just be called AA Reward Points.
It's my nerdy delight. I spend quite a bit two weeks out and will handily make Platinum this year - on track to pro in 2017. But how is the flying public going to have any idea about the system? The occasional traveler has a snowballs chance in Phoenix of accruing enough miles for a free ticket.
Jun 6, 2016, 12:11 pm
#115
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SLC
Programs: DL PM, Hilton/Marriott Gold
Posts: 971
Oh WS ran full page color ads up here and much fun on Twitter, inviting disgruntled AC flyers to come on over. Except they don't have business class, they don't have lounges and they don't fly to places like NRT, DEL, DXB, BNE, PVG...and the rest of the long international list, so....
So, to your point, unhappy AA members don't have that many options.
So, to your point, unhappy AA members don't have that many options.
Jun 6, 2016, 12:13 pm
#116
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Jun 6, 2016, 12:21 pm
#117
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: IL USA
Programs: UA 1.55MM Lifetime Premier Gold, AA Exec. Plt., NW MM(875K on DL), MC Gold, HH Diamond, SPG, HY GP
Posts: 205
I mean...current Platinum, but I'll never hit the $6,000 threshold. Most of my tickets are either cheapish Y tickets on AA or partner flights that won't earn much of anything for PQD. Currently have a fully refundable J/F bucket ticket ex-Asia booked for January that would have gotten me 33,000 EQM, but only cost $1,700. What's the point of flying that now? I'm not going to spend $4,300 more. I get that they want to fall in line with the others, but they're not going to gain any new customers with this, and they're just going to drive people like me to no longer care who we book with since we'll never hit status with anyone.
Time to sign up for the Amex Platinum card for lounge access worldwide and be done with trying to get status for international lounge access. $450/yr is better than spending $6,000 and earning next to nothing in RDM.
Time to sign up for the Amex Platinum card for lounge access worldwide and be done with trying to get status for international lounge access. $450/yr is better than spending $6,000 and earning next to nothing in RDM.
Jun 6, 2016, 12:21 pm
#118
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 183
OK, color me confused. I got offered complimentary Platinum through September 19th (think that's the date). If I fly 12,500 EQMs before then, the email said I keep Plat through 2017. Does this change affect anything for me after the August 1st date mentioned in the new changes (with regards to the promotion, that is)?
Jun 6, 2016, 12:22 pm
#119
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
A continuation of US taking over AA, just like CO took over UA.
Jun 6, 2016, 12:24 pm
#120
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Trenton, NJ (PHL, EWR)
Programs: A3 Gold, BA Bronze
Posts: 1,633
Presumably you get to fly in a nice comfortable cabin on flights that you actually wanted to take, and weren't just flying as a status run.
Certainly there should be other options for where to put those miles. BA or AS might not be terrible options if you want to stick miles from premium class cabins into an account for future use.
Certainly there should be other options for where to put those miles. BA or AS might not be terrible options if you want to stick miles from premium class cabins into an account for future use.
But true, I could switch and deposit into another program. Or search for a non-AA plated option which is more convenient and just as cheap, since I did need to position for this flight anyway.
But since I'll never hit the $6,000...I'll never be compelled to book AA for anything other than it being the cheapest or most convenient. And let me tell you, if you're flying internationally and based equidistant between NYC and PHL, it rarely is.