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)
Dec 12, 2019, 4:48 pm
#736
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MSP/BUF/BNA/LFT
Programs: AA Plat, Priority Club Gold, Choice Privileges Gold
Posts: 1,225
Question: How will AA credit my CX mistake fare in first class HKG-JFK via YVR?
Booked in A, so 0.3x distance. But is it:
1) 0.3x8072 (HKG-JFK) = 2421
2) 0.3*(6392+2449) (HKG-YVR-JFK) = 2652
3) 0.3*6392 (HKG-YVR) = 1917 since YVR-JFK is not between Asia & US/Canada according to partner earning table
My issue is that I'm at 12428 EQDs (and 100k+ EQM). Full ticket is DAD-HKG-JFK(via YVR)-HKG(via YVR)-DAD. I am flying it on the 16th and may have to abandon it at JFK (family emergency is brewing).
So, DAD-HKG in J on KA = 570*0.25 = 142 --> 12570 total. Then based on the above calculations, I could just miss it by 9 EQDs if (1), be ok if (2), and miss it by 513 if (3).
Booked in A, so 0.3x distance. But is it:
1) 0.3x8072 (HKG-JFK) = 2421
2) 0.3*(6392+2449) (HKG-YVR-JFK) = 2652
3) 0.3*6392 (HKG-YVR) = 1917 since YVR-JFK is not between Asia & US/Canada according to partner earning table
My issue is that I'm at 12428 EQDs (and 100k+ EQM). Full ticket is DAD-HKG-JFK(via YVR)-HKG(via YVR)-DAD. I am flying it on the 16th and may have to abandon it at JFK (family emergency is brewing).
So, DAD-HKG in J on KA = 570*0.25 = 142 --> 12570 total. Then based on the above calculations, I could just miss it by 9 EQDs if (1), be ok if (2), and miss it by 513 if (3).
Dec 12, 2019, 8:37 pm
#737
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 41
#1 would be the correct calculation. The YVR stop is not included unless you booked CX888 as two separate segments.
Edit: Or, since we are splitting hairs based on GCMap distances, is there a way to find out exactly how many EQDs they would grant on HKG-JFK segment? Maybe someone here has flown that route recently and can share?
Last edited by dimamo1983; Dec 12, 2019 at 8:40 pm Reason: how to find out actual eqds
Dec 13, 2019, 4:23 am
#738
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Thank you, that's what I was leaning towards as well. If I have to skip the return, any chance of convincing AA for an exemption if I am 9 EQDs short of exec plat qualifications (I am currently an Exec Platinum if that helps)?
Edit: Or, since we are splitting hairs based on GCMap distances, is there a way to find out exactly how many EQDs they would grant on HKG-JFK segment? Maybe someone here has flown that route recently and can share?
Edit: Or, since we are splitting hairs based on GCMap distances, is there a way to find out exactly how many EQDs they would grant on HKG-JFK segment? Maybe someone here has flown that route recently and can share?
Dec 13, 2019, 7:53 am
#739
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: aa
Posts: 38
Hi there,
Thanks in advance for your help with this one.
Proposed Itenerary booked directly through Japan Airlines :
EWR-Sea on Alaska code share in Y and is 2390 miles
Sea-NRT in X on JAL and is 4750 miles
NRT to TSA in X on JAL and is 1340 miles
Return
Tsa-HND in X on JAL and is 1300 miles
HND-JFK in X on JAL and is 6750 miles
Interested in understanding how to calculate the AA Advantage EQDs on this run. Also, hypothetically, if that leg to SEA were on an AA code share but still booked through JAL, how, if it all, would it change the math?
Thanks again,
Jeff
Thanks in advance for your help with this one.
Proposed Itenerary booked directly through Japan Airlines :
EWR-Sea on Alaska code share in Y and is 2390 miles
Sea-NRT in X on JAL and is 4750 miles
NRT to TSA in X on JAL and is 1340 miles
Return
Tsa-HND in X on JAL and is 1300 miles
HND-JFK in X on JAL and is 6750 miles
Interested in understanding how to calculate the AA Advantage EQDs on this run. Also, hypothetically, if that leg to SEA were on an AA code share but still booked through JAL, how, if it all, would it change the math?
Thanks again,
Jeff
Last edited by JeffreyinDE; Dec 13, 2019 at 8:15 am
Dec 13, 2019, 9:43 am
#740
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gatwick, UK
Programs: UA *G, BA Silver
Posts: 1,673
Proposed Itenerary booked directly through Japan Airlines :
EWR-Sea on Alaska code share in Y and is 2390 miles
Sea-NRT in X on JAL and is 4750 miles
NRT to TSA in X on JAL and is 1340 miles
Return
Tsa-HND in X on JAL and is 1300 miles
HND-JFK in X on JAL and is 6750 miles
EWR-Sea on Alaska code share in Y and is 2390 miles
Sea-NRT in X on JAL and is 4750 miles
NRT to TSA in X on JAL and is 1340 miles
Return
Tsa-HND in X on JAL and is 1300 miles
HND-JFK in X on JAL and is 6750 miles
EWR-SEA as JAL flight number should earn 20% of 2390 in EQDs and 2390 EQMs – "when you fly on Japan Airlines marketed and operated flights as well as Japan Airlines codeshare flights operated by other carriers including oneworld® carriers and affiliates" - usually the 'other carriers including' is not present, making it seem that an Alaska flight codeshared by JAL should earn.
All the other flights should earn 25% of distance for EQDs and double mileage EQMs.
That would be my reading of the rules - maybe someone with actual experience can be more accurate.
[I am a little unsure of what you mean by 'Alaska code share' - I assumed you meant Alaska operated but JAL flight number. If you didn't mean that then it would be good to clarify whose flight number you're booked on and who operates the flight.]
Dec 13, 2019, 10:02 am
#741
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: aa
Posts: 38
EWR-SEA as JAL flight number should earn 20% of 2390 in EQDs and 2390 EQMs – "when you fly on Japan Airlines marketed and operated flights as well as Japan Airlines codeshare flights operated by other carriers including oneworld® carriers and affiliates" - usually the 'other carriers including' is not present, making it seem that an Alaska flight codeshared by JAL should earn.
All the other flights should earn 25% of distance for EQDs and double mileage EQMs.
That would be my reading of the rules - maybe someone with actual experience can be more accurate.
[I am a little unsure of what you mean by 'Alaska code share' - I assumed you meant Alaska operated but JAL flight number. If you didn't mean that then it would be good to clarify whose flight number you're booked on and who operates the flight.]
Yes, that's exactly what I meant it's a JL flight number operated by Alaska on an itinerary purchased direct thru JAL.
How would the EQDs be calculated on the EWR SEA leg, if it were a JL flight number purchased from JAL but operated by American?
Dec 13, 2019, 3:27 pm
#742
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gatwick, UK
Programs: UA *G, BA Silver
Posts: 1,673
Thanks for the feedback.
Yes, that's exactly what I meant it's a JL flight number operated by Alaska on an itinerary purchased direct thru JAL.
How would the EQDs be calculated on the EWR SEA leg, if it were a JL flight number purchased from JAL but operated by American?
Yes, that's exactly what I meant it's a JL flight number operated by Alaska on an itinerary purchased direct thru JAL.
How would the EQDs be calculated on the EWR SEA leg, if it were a JL flight number purchased from JAL but operated by American?
Dec 13, 2019, 3:55 pm
#743
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!
Dec 13, 2019, 5:41 pm
#744
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
The JL earnings page says that you earn on "Japan Airlines codeshare flights operated by other carriers including oneworld® carriers and affiliates". By contrast, the BA page says "British Airways codeshare flights operated by oneworld® carriers and affiliates"; the others all match that language. So other operators are ok for JL but not BA (et al).
Dec 14, 2019, 7:45 am
#746
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: aa
Posts: 38
The JL earnings page says that you earn on "Japan Airlines codeshare flights operated by other carriers including oneworld® carriers and affiliates". By contrast, the BA page says "British Airways codeshare flights operated by oneworld® carriers and affiliates"; the others all match that language. So other operators are ok for JL but not BA (et al).
Dec 14, 2019, 8:02 am
#747
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
Yes, this is the AA earning based on marketing and operating carrier. SpammersAreScum's comment is about the different wording between JL and other OW earning partners with regard to AA earnings.
Inasmuch as the BA (and others) page says "and affiliates" I would think that AS would have counted in this case as they are listed under "other airline partners."
Cheers.
Inasmuch as the BA (and others) page says "and affiliates" I would think that AS would have counted in this case as they are listed under "other airline partners."
Cheers.
Dec 14, 2019, 8:21 am
#748
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: aa
Posts: 38
Yes, this is the AA earning based on marketing and operating carrier. SpammersAreScum's comment is about the different wording between JL and other OW earning partners with regard to AA earnings.
Inasmuch as the BA (and others) page says "and affiliates" I would think that AS would have counted in this case as they are listed under "other airline partners."
Cheers.
Inasmuch as the BA (and others) page says "and affiliates" I would think that AS would have counted in this case as they are listed under "other airline partners."
Cheers.
Dec 14, 2019, 8:26 am
#749
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
Cheers.
Dec 14, 2019, 8:33 am
#750
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: aa
Posts: 38
That is not true. As long as the flight qualifies according to the rules above (OW-marketed, OW or affiliate metal), AA will allocate EQDs according to the distance chart for the marketing carrier. For example, I've flown flights on AA marketed as a BA flight and earned by the BA chart. I've flown Finnair, IB marketed as BA and also earned by the BA chart.
Cheers.
Cheers.