Jun 8, 2016, 10:32 am
Last edit by: JDiver
Earning Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD) on AA and partner airlines
Minimum Spend" requirement for each status tier began 1 Jan 2017
Minimum Spend" requirement for each status tier began 1 Jan 2017
In addition to the required EQM or EQS (same as 2016) to earn status in 2017 and onward one must also earn "Elite Qualifying Dollars" / "EQD" spend credit as follows (during the calendar year):
"Starting January 1, 2017, we’ll add Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) to our earning requirements. Qualify in 1 of 2 ways:
- Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) + Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs)
- Elite Qualifying Segments (EQSs) + Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs)
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
- Flights marketed by oneworld® carriers, "Special Fares" such as some AA Vacations flights, Thank You Points purchased fares, etc. earn EQDs based on a percentage of the flight distance and the fare class purchased
With the addition of EQDs, the rule that 4 segments must be traveled on American or American Eagle during the qualifying year to receive elite status has been eliminated.
NOTE: EQD credit varies for "Special Fares" (e.g. "select flights" included in AAVacations packages), and the chart for those changed on 11 Jan 2017. See here.2019 Status qualification tiers and requirements: link
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aa.com: aa.com is updated to show EQM, EQD and RDM/AW for your convenience when booking and in your account for keeping informed about your accruals.
Another impact of EQD is on upgrade priority within status tiers instead of time of upgrade request (FYI only, not discussion here):
Change to upgrade priority to EQD-based priority
The way your upgrade request is prioritized changed in 2017. You’ll be listed according to the type of upgrade, by your elite status level followed by the number of EQDs earned in the last 12 months. The date of upgrade request will no longer be used except to break ties not resolved by higher priority levels. Applies both upgrade request and airport list if request goes to airport list.
Partners (AS and oneworld): accrual of EQM and EQD as reflected on charts on aa.com.
FAQ
Q. How will AA EQD be calculated?
Yes: Base fare plus carrier imposed fees, e.g. YQ etc. (Status buyup fees will count.)
No: Taxes, government or airport imposed fees, e.g. PSC, APD, TSA, etc. and ancillary fees (see below)
Q. How will flights on other oneworld carriers, AS, and "Special Fares" qualify for EQD?
Partner earning tables are here and special fare table here on aa.com.
Q. Will checked bag fees, seat purchases, LFBU and 500-mile upgrades, buy miles, or other products/service fees count toward earning award miles and EQDs? (AA FAQ)
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 (or overweight) baggage fees, Admirals Club® memberships (or passes), 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. (Status buyup fees will count, however.)
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 base miles flown)
EQS: Elite Qualifying Segments (discrete segment marketed as AA)
Platinum Pro: new tier beginning 1/1/17 requiring $9,000 EQD and 75,000 EQM or 90 EQS in one calendar year
Links
Link to FT: JUST THE FACTS: EQD, status tier, other changes announced 6 Jun 2016
Link to AAdvantage Program Updates page on aa.com (including FAQ).
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
GUIDE: Earning EQD / Elite Qualifying Dollars on AA & partner airlines (as of 2019)
Oct 31, 2019, 6:54 am
#706
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Sydney
Programs: AA Exp, UA PP, IC Diamond, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Centurion
Posts: 477
Thanks, but the problem remains: How do I find out the dollar value of that QF flight segment? Or alternatively, how do I find the dollar value of all the AA segments?
Oct 31, 2019, 7:39 am
#707
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
You don't, or at least this is not readily available anywhere. The only possible way would be to call AA, they might be able to tell you the EQD breakout per segment.
Nov 8, 2019, 6:27 pm
#708
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: New York
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Platinum Elite, SPG Gold
Posts: 320
Trying to max EQD on a SIN-JFK-SIN flight purchase
My situation is that I need a hefty amount of EQD's (5,587)and EQM's (27,947) for December for exec. platinum this year. Many years ago I started buying SIN-JFK-SIN roundtrip tickets that start in December and then return the following year. It has always given me that last burst to make Exec. Platinum. This year the extra EQM is making it harder so I am thinking of buying a ticket from SIN-HKG (CX in Biz) and HKG-LAX-JFK (AA in First) and RTN for anytime in 2020 that I would do all in Business. The answer seems obvious - that the EQM's associated with the first class Dec. 2019 flights would yield as higher then the return flights that I have done in business but I am not sure exactly how to calculate roughly what this could be. As a total trip the reservation on hold says: EQM - 67,932 and EQDs at 10,086. If it was all in the same class I would just divide by 2 and assume it to be fairly close. But because I am trying to get heftier EQM's on the Dec outbound and I would have no chance to make it up I am nervous.
Has anyone had success with asking AA directly about the EQM breakdowns?
Any thoughts or suggestions are welcomed. Because I need both EQM and EQD i figured a straight out AA ticket, albeit at a high cost, seemed to be the best way.
Has anyone had success with asking AA directly about the EQM breakdowns?
Any thoughts or suggestions are welcomed. Because I need both EQM and EQD i figured a straight out AA ticket, albeit at a high cost, seemed to be the best way.
Nov 9, 2019, 6:36 pm
#709
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
My situation is that I need a hefty amount of EQD's (5,587)and EQM's (27,947) for December for exec. platinum this year. Many years ago I started buying SIN-JFK-SIN roundtrip tickets that start in December and then return the following year. It has always given me that last burst to make Exec. Platinum. This year the extra EQM is making it harder so I am thinking of buying a ticket from SIN-HKG (CX in Biz) and HKG-LAX-JFK (AA in First) and RTN for anytime in 2020 that I would do all in Business. The answer seems obvious - that the EQM's associated with the first class Dec. 2019 flights would yield as higher then the return flights that I have done in business but I am not sure exactly how to calculate roughly what this could be. As a total trip the reservation on hold says: EQM - 67,932 and EQDs at 10,086. If it was all in the same class I would just divide by 2 and assume it to be fairly close. But because I am trying to get heftier EQM's on the Dec outbound and I would have no chance to make it up I am nervous.
Has anyone had success with asking AA directly about the EQM breakdowns?
Any thoughts or suggestions are welcomed. Because I need both EQM and EQD i figured a straight out AA ticket, albeit at a high cost, seemed to be the best way.
Has anyone had success with asking AA directly about the EQM breakdowns?
Any thoughts or suggestions are welcomed. Because I need both EQM and EQD i figured a straight out AA ticket, albeit at a high cost, seemed to be the best way.
EQD on an AA segment uses the fare for that segment, which of course no-one but AA knows. I suspect that the fare assigned to the AA portions will suffice, given that your total fare will be (I assume) way over $5600 (before taxes), the CX portion is relatively small, and the First class portion is pretty large.
Nov 13, 2019, 12:39 am
#711
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AAdvantage PltPro, AMEX Platinum
Posts: 239
JL eqd
Hi all. Booked a smoking deal for j from LGA to TPE
lga bos AA F
bos nrt JL J
Nrt tpe JL J
tpe nrt CX J
nrt bos JL J
bos lga AA F
also bought a segment of discounted Y on CX to get me to HKG from TPE that doesn’t earn anything I think.
but lookinga at the partner eqd it says for I dares the JL segments earn 14%. Disappointing to say the least but can’t seem to find which fare class this is booked in. I am just assuming I because this trip without the HKG leg only cost me $2200. It’s a lot of flights but I think we’ll worth it to get me to my destination in style.
lga bos AA F
bos nrt JL J
Nrt tpe JL J
tpe nrt CX J
nrt bos JL J
bos lga AA F
also bought a segment of discounted Y on CX to get me to HKG from TPE that doesn’t earn anything I think.
but lookinga at the partner eqd it says for I dares the JL segments earn 14%. Disappointing to say the least but can’t seem to find which fare class this is booked in. I am just assuming I because this trip without the HKG leg only cost me $2200. It’s a lot of flights but I think we’ll worth it to get me to my destination in style.
Nov 13, 2019, 5:56 am
#712
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Hi all. Booked a smoking deal for j from LGA to TPE
lga bos AA F
bos nrt JL J
Nrt tpe JL J
tpe nrt CX J
nrt bos JL J
bos lga AA F
also bought a segment of discounted Y on CX to get me to HKG from TPE that doesn’t earn anything I think.
but lookinga at the partner eqd it says for I dares the JL segments earn 14%. Disappointing to say the least but can’t seem to find which fare class this is booked in. I am just assuming I because this trip without the HKG leg only cost me $2200. It’s a lot of flights but I think we’ll worth it to get me to my destination in style.
lga bos AA F
bos nrt JL J
Nrt tpe JL J
tpe nrt CX J
nrt bos JL J
bos lga AA F
also bought a segment of discounted Y on CX to get me to HKG from TPE that doesn’t earn anything I think.
but lookinga at the partner eqd it says for I dares the JL segments earn 14%. Disappointing to say the least but can’t seem to find which fare class this is booked in. I am just assuming I because this trip without the HKG leg only cost me $2200. It’s a lot of flights but I think we’ll worth it to get me to my destination in style.
Nov 13, 2019, 6:35 am
#713
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AAdvantage PltPro, AMEX Platinum
Posts: 239
Many discount JL business fares book into X, not I, especially between North America and Asia. I is more frequently used on intra-Asia fares (IME). If you can't find the booking code on your email confirmation then just call JL to verify (assuming you booked it through JL).
Nov 14, 2019, 9:34 pm
#714
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 6
My situation is that I need a hefty amount of EQD's (5,587)and EQM's (27,947) for December for exec. platinum this year. Many years ago I started buying SIN-JFK-SIN roundtrip tickets that start in December and then return the following year. It has always given me that last burst to make Exec. Platinum. This year the extra EQM is making it harder so I am thinking of buying a ticket from SIN-HKG (CX in Biz) and HKG-LAX-JFK (AA in First) and RTN for anytime in 2020 that I would do all in Business. The answer seems obvious - that the EQM's associated with the first class Dec. 2019 flights would yield as higher then the return flights that I have done in business but I am not sure exactly how to calculate roughly what this could be. As a total trip the reservation on hold says: EQM - 67,932 and EQDs at 10,086. If it was all in the same class I would just divide by 2 and assume it to be fairly close. But because I am trying to get heftier EQM's on the Dec outbound and I would have no chance to make it up I am nervous.
Has anyone had success with asking AA directly about the EQM breakdowns?
Any thoughts or suggestions are welcomed. Because I need both EQM and EQD i figured a straight out AA ticket, albeit at a high cost, seemed to be the best way.
Has anyone had success with asking AA directly about the EQM breakdowns?
Any thoughts or suggestions are welcomed. Because I need both EQM and EQD i figured a straight out AA ticket, albeit at a high cost, seemed to be the best way.
The sweet spot on CX mileage runs from ORD is in E - you ear more than double the EQDs you spend if done right and you earn 1.5x on the EQMs
Nov 17, 2019, 8:58 am
#715
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Dallas
Programs: AA Executive Platinum 1MM, Marriott LT Platinum, National Executive Club
Posts: 14
So i'm about 2700 EQD short of EP this year, I already made the EQMs needed. I have a trip booked for later this week in coach, but on the app it tells me I can upgrade to first for about $500 round trip. When I get to the end of the transaction, it has the break down but shows it as an upgrade to first.
Million dollar question, will the upgrade cost to First ($500) + my original fare($285) count towards EQD? I assume that if I had bought first to begin with, it would, but the whole language around upgrades concerns me.
Anyone else already run into this that can confirm they get full EQD credit?
Million dollar question, will the upgrade cost to First ($500) + my original fare($285) count towards EQD? I assume that if I had bought first to begin with, it would, but the whole language around upgrades concerns me.
Anyone else already run into this that can confirm they get full EQD credit?
Nov 18, 2019, 12:45 pm
#716
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,138
I was looking back at a trip DCA-PHL-BUD return in September and noticed an interesting error on AA's part for the EQDs:
Originally booked 001 ticket:
AA-BA-AA-AA
I-I-I-I
Reticketed after schedule change:
AA-AA-AA-AA
I-I-I-I
Fare: $2,365
Taxes and fees: $1,218.03
EQDs posted based on fare: $2,920
To me this means they are counting more than half the taxes and fees as taxes, which can't possibly be correct (did a dummy booking today and the taxes sum to like $112). I assume that the originally charged BA carrier fee was dropped during the reticketing of the second leg from BA to AA, but since all four legs were credited on fare, I think they owe me EQD and RDM.
I wrote in asking for the breakdown and will share their reply with the group. Just a reminder to always check their numbers!
Originally booked 001 ticket:
AA-BA-AA-AA
I-I-I-I
Reticketed after schedule change:
AA-AA-AA-AA
I-I-I-I
Fare: $2,365
Taxes and fees: $1,218.03
EQDs posted based on fare: $2,920
To me this means they are counting more than half the taxes and fees as taxes, which can't possibly be correct (did a dummy booking today and the taxes sum to like $112). I assume that the originally charged BA carrier fee was dropped during the reticketing of the second leg from BA to AA, but since all four legs were credited on fare, I think they owe me EQD and RDM.
I wrote in asking for the breakdown and will share their reply with the group. Just a reminder to always check their numbers!
Nov 19, 2019, 3:27 pm
#717
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: New York
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Platinum Elite, SPG Gold
Posts: 320
I just did a mileage run on CX - ORD-HKG-SIN-HKG-ORD I bought this in premium economy (E) fare at $1484. I should earn $3750ish EQD and 28,125 EQM when this posts. Just finished the run today so I am hoping this will post soon and bump to EXP.
The sweet spot on CX mileage runs from ORD is in E - you ear more than double the EQDs you spend if done right and you earn 1.5x on the EQMs
The sweet spot on CX mileage runs from ORD is in E - you ear more than double the EQDs you spend if done right and you earn 1.5x on the EQMs
Nov 21, 2019, 2:14 pm
#718
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
If your seats are all PE or above, you're fine. A segment with less-than-full-fare Economy on CX-marketed is what bites you.
Dec 1, 2019, 5:49 pm
#720
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Seattle
Programs: AAdvantage Plat+, FoundersCard, Amex Plat, TR Diamond, Marriott Gold, Wyndham Dia, HH Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 785
If I purchase a First Class ticket on Alaska.com from SAN-SEA for $308, how many EQDs will I earn, if any?
On AlaskaAir.com and AA.com the flight is listed as "operated by SkyWest Airlines as AlaskaSkyWest"
On AA.com it lists an AA flight number for the flight, but it is only possible to buy a Main Cabin seat, not first class.
On AlaskaAir.com and AA.com the flight is listed as "operated by SkyWest Airlines as AlaskaSkyWest"
On AA.com it lists an AA flight number for the flight, but it is only possible to buy a Main Cabin seat, not first class.