Sep 8, 2017, 4:48 pm
Last edit by: thorofare
American Airlines "Special Fares" and EQD Earning
Link to aa.com Special fares: Earning Award Miles and Elite Qualifying Credits
"Special Fares" include some fares sold by other than AA, such as those sold in conjunction with a travel lodging package by AA Vacations, and those purchased with credit card points, such as Thank You Points and Membership Rewards points.
Like oneworld partner (and Alaska Airlines through 31 Dec 2017) fares, these earn Elite Qualifying Dollars based on a percentage of base miles / miles flown / flight distance and the fare class purchased.
Flights booked using Thank You Points, Membership Rewards, etc. where the cardholder is essentially buying your ticket most often are special fares as well.
NOTE: EQD credit varies for "Special Fares" (e.g. AA Vacations), and the chart for those changed on 1 Jan 2019. See here.
Link to aa.com Special fares: Earning Award Miles and Elite Qualifying Credits
"Special Fares" include some fares sold by other than AA, such as those sold in conjunction with a travel lodging package by AA Vacations, and those purchased with credit card points, such as Thank You Points and Membership Rewards points.
Like oneworld partner (and Alaska Airlines through 31 Dec 2017) fares, these earn Elite Qualifying Dollars based on a percentage of base miles / miles flown / flight distance and the fare class purchased.
Flights booked using Thank You Points, Membership Rewards, etc. where the cardholder is essentially buying your ticket most often are special fares as well.
NOTE: EQD credit varies for "Special Fares" (e.g. AA Vacations), and the chart for those changed on 1 Jan 2019. See here.
AA "Special Fare" (AA Vacations, TYP, MR, etc.) Questions, EQD, Issues (merged)
Feb 26, 2017, 7:51 pm
#18
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,597
I think you mean "per se" 
- but it will really depend on how the company issues it - you may find that it is classed as a special fare by distance or it may be a fare where the cash component is covered by the card company and it will earn as per the fare rules
I would recommend assuming that it will credit by fare and that if it credits by distance then that is just lucky ( or unlucky if an expensive fare )
- but it will really depend on how the company issues it - you may find that it is classed as a special fare by distance or it may be a fare where the cash component is covered by the card company and it will earn as per the fare rulesI would recommend assuming that it will credit by fare and that if it credits by distance then that is just lucky ( or unlucky if an expensive fare )
May 3, 2017, 6:28 pm
#19
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 210
AA special fare when using BXP1
I have heard that using SWU will almost certainly restore the fare on special fare. Does anyone know one way or another whether using BXP1 to upgrade from Biz to First on domestic routes will trigger the samething
May 29, 2017, 8:22 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,273
How to book "special fares" - known OTAs?
Comparing the standard earning chart to the "special fares" earning chart, it seems there are certain circumstances where it would be preferable to earn according to the latter. Are there any non-opaque OTAs which are known to book into these fares?
May 30, 2017, 7:29 am
#23
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Dallas
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,523
But remember if you reticket later (like SWU clears) then it reverts back to a normal ticket. And good luck arguing with AAdvantage that it's a special fare (unlike AA Vacations which AA specifically calls out as qualifying).
May 31, 2017, 11:58 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,273
Thanks all. I'll try Citi or Amex. Another knee surgery has sidelined me for a good part of this year and requal is going to be a stretch unless I can find a way to reasonably MR. If this works, I can amplify EQD for these itins by almost 4.75x. #gamer #flameaway
May 31, 2017, 6:33 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Vail, CO
Programs: AA EXP/1mm, Marriott Titanium/LT Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 626
I have had SWUs clear multiple times and the calc remain a distance based special fare
May 31, 2017, 8:55 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Alaska Gold 75K, AA EXP, United 1K
Posts: 472
So the optimal strategy to maximize EQD is to compare what distance based would earn by booking via one of these channels vs the pre-tax dollars by booking AA directly? Any other known downsides to booking via one of these channels? Any impacts to change fees, irrops treatment, etc?
Last edited by lightbulbs; May 31, 2017 at 9:51 pm
Jun 1, 2017, 6:08 am
#27
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: DL DM, AA EXP, various hotel
Posts: 2,227
So the optimal strategy to maximize EQD is to compare what distance based would earn by booking via one of these channels vs the pre-tax dollars by booking AA directly? Any other known downsides to booking via one of these channels? Any impacts to change fees, irrops treatment, etc?
Jun 1, 2017, 9:41 am
#28
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NYC, SLC, LAX
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat
Posts: 3,951
Jun 1, 2017, 4:22 pm
#29
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
Using points (whether Citi, Chase, or Amex) has been known to sometimes result in Special Fares. Same for reticketing, whether due to upgrades, IROPs, or whatever. Neither is guaranteed.
Jun 1, 2017, 5:47 pm
#30
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Vail, CO
Programs: AA EXP/1mm, Marriott Titanium/LT Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 626
Right - my take away is if I think it will be better as a special fare book through an OTA - if it ends up fare based thats what it would have been anyways via AA so while disappointing nothing is lost