EQ Dollar / EQD offset via Barclaycard Aviator Cards thru 2018 (master thread)
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#1
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,142

As reported by Lucky, gleff and probably others:
Originally Posted by gleff
American announced today that ConciergeKey members will receive top status on waitlists for flights and upgrades.
ConciergeKey will be ahead of Executive Platinums, and their domestic upgrades will begin to clear 120 hours in advance of travel versus the current 100 hour Executive Platinum upgrade window (Platinums will see their upgrade window shrink to 48 hours out.) (source)
ConciergeKey will be ahead of Executive Platinums, and their domestic upgrades will begin to clear 120 hours in advance of travel versus the current 100 hour Executive Platinum upgrade window (Platinums will see their upgrade window shrink to 48 hours out.) (source)
Originally Posted by gleff
American announced this morning that they, too, will offer the ability to spend on a credit card rather than on tickets to meet Elite Qualifying Dollar requirements for elite status. But they’re doing it in a different way than Delta or United.
- Spend $25,000 on a Barclaycard-issued American AAdvantage credit card and earn 3000 elite qualifying dollars.
- Spend $50,000 on a Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Silver credit card and earn an additional 3000 elite qualifying dollars.
Last edited by Microwave; Nov 7, 16 at 12:40 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2012
Location: TYO
Programs: AA EXP 1.8MM, PC Spire, Hertz 5*
Posts: 1,005

I was hoping to at least be able to get 75% of the way on CC spending, but that doesn't look like it will happen either. The amount to spend just to get to 50% is also way too much. You only need $25k for Delta and for AA you need $50k and it is only gets you 50% of the way.
Based on trying to earn exp.
Last edited by nutwpinut; Nov 7, 16 at 11:11 am Reason: Added EXP caveat
#5
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum Pro, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 1,497
Thanks for sharing!
For my personal situation, I always pass $25K on my Barclays' AAviator card, so that gives me 3,000 EQD's off the bat. With that, based on my spending in the past few years, I should re-qualify for Platinum without issue.
For my personal situation, I always pass $25K on my Barclays' AAviator card, so that gives me 3,000 EQD's off the bat. With that, based on my spending in the past few years, I should re-qualify for Platinum without issue.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: 32.7758° N, 96.7967° W
Programs: AA EXP,SPG 75
Posts: 317
The CC EQD credits is disappointing. I was hoping for something like Delta where you can get all EQD waived after certain amount.
I was hoping to at least be able to get 75% of the way on CC spending, but that doesn't look like it will happen either. The amount to spend just to get to 50% is also way too much. You only need $25k for Delta and for AA you need $50k and it is only gets you 50% of the way.
I was hoping to at least be able to get 75% of the way on CC spending, but that doesn't look like it will happen either. The amount to spend just to get to 50% is also way too much. You only need $25k for Delta and for AA you need $50k and it is only gets you 50% of the way.
#8
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
Programs: IHG Spire, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
Another big fat 
The race to the bottom is starting to sound like John Oliver's rock bottom references the last few weeks.
I've been treated reasonably well as an AA Gold member over the last 6-7 years. But the upgrade thing is the final straw for me. I could get almost every other important gold benefit via credit cards, but upgrades were still something I needed Gold for and I actually went out of my way to fly AA this year when others were a better option so that I could keep that.
Free agency is becoming more and more attractive, I look forward to picking the best flight for my needs regardless of carrier and just buying the premium services that I want.

The race to the bottom is starting to sound like John Oliver's rock bottom references the last few weeks.
I've been treated reasonably well as an AA Gold member over the last 6-7 years. But the upgrade thing is the final straw for me. I could get almost every other important gold benefit via credit cards, but upgrades were still something I needed Gold for and I actually went out of my way to fly AA this year when others were a better option so that I could keep that.
Free agency is becoming more and more attractive, I look forward to picking the best flight for my needs regardless of carrier and just buying the premium services that I want.
#9
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: STL/ORD/SAN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Airpass, AS MVPG75K, BA Silver, accidental DL FO, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, AmEx PLT
Posts: 1,376
Quoting Ben...
I wonder if the EQDs earned on the card will really count toward the rolling EQD total for upgrade priority. That could be a game changer...
The other interesting wrinkle in all this is that starting at some point next year American will change how upgrade priority works. Currently upgrades are prioritized based on status and then by time of booking, while going forward they’ll be prioritized by status and then your 12-month rolling elite qualifying dollar total.
In other words, even if you’d qualify for a status level anyway, it could make sense to spend on a card just to have a higher EQD total, since you’ll receive higher priority for upgrades.
In other words, even if you’d qualify for a status level anyway, it could make sense to spend on a card just to have a higher EQD total, since you’ll receive higher priority for upgrades.
#11
Join Date: May 2012
Location: TYO
Programs: AA EXP 1.8MM, PC Spire, Hertz 5*
Posts: 1,005

#12
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: WN A-List Pref, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 452
Not to mention that (for me) it requires diverting $50k of spending from other cards that provide a much better value. All around, very disappointing indeed.
#13
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: TX
Programs: AA: EXP MR: Ti
Posts: 473
My understanding is that the Aviator Silver is only a card you can get after holding the Aviator Red / Aviator Business for a full year. So for the most part, only former US Airways customers will have the ability to earn 6,000 EQD from CC spend in 2017 - legacy AA customers that have the Citi cards will have to sign up for a new Aviator card and can only get one that gives 3,000 EQD waiver in year 1. That's crap unless they let people sign up for the Silver card directly.
#14
Join Date: May 2012
Location: TYO
Programs: AA EXP 1.8MM, PC Spire, Hertz 5*
Posts: 1,005
I guess the only good news is that if you are EXP, the number of EXP will be culled expeditiously in 2018.
#15
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: AA Plat Pro, IHG Spire Amb/Kimpton IC
Posts: 4,657
The Silver was introduced after Barclaycard transitioned the former US cards to AA cards, and was no longer allowed to take new applications. (And the one year restriction was because card issuers have interpreted the CARD Act to not allow an increase of the annual fee on a new card product until 12 months after the account's opening.)