Last edit by: JDiver
AA Barclays Aviator Red will no longer offer the ability to earn EQDs.
AA Barclays Aviator Silver now will only allow earning $3,000 EQD offset by reaching $50,000 spend.
https://onemileatatime.com/american-...fying-dollars/
That article says, in part
Member enpremiere posts
AA Barclays Aviator Silver now will only allow earning $3,000 EQD offset by reaching $50,000 spend.
All AAdvantage Aviator Red and Silver Mastercard holders were sent out this notification on October 22, 2018 and will typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days. - Barclaycard
That article says, in part
For 2019 the benefit is being eliminated entirely except for Aviator Silver cardholders who will 3000 elite qualifying dollars after $50,000 spend (instead of earning 6000).
Anyone who signed up for an Aviator Red Mastercard, or upgraded to an Aviator Silver, between January 1 and October 31, 2018 will keep the pre-existing elite qualifying dollars benefit for 2019, and their benefit will change January 1, 2020.
This policy has been verified elsewhere.
Anyone who signed up for an Aviator Red Mastercard, or upgraded to an Aviator Silver, between January 1 and October 31, 2018 will keep the pre-existing elite qualifying dollars benefit for 2019, and their benefit will change January 1, 2020.
BUT DocD called on 23 Oct to upgrade the Red to Silver and Barclaycard would not do so because of the upcoming program changes.
Dear 355F1:
Thank you for contacting us regarding your AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite Mastercard. We can certainly address your inquiry regarding the benefit change on your account.
Your AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite Mastercard will earn $3,000 EQDs at $50,000 spend on purchases starting January 1, 2019. This benefit will then apply for all years moving forward until any additional changes are made to the benefits structure. If benefits are changed in the future, Cardmembers will be sent out a letter informing them of the change. All AAdvantage Aviator Red and Silver Mastercard holders were sent out this notification on October 22, 2018 and will typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days.
We hope you find this information helpful, and we thank you for your continued business. If you have any other questions or concerns, please reply to this message.
Sincerely,
Customer Care
Thank you for contacting us regarding your AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite Mastercard. We can certainly address your inquiry regarding the benefit change on your account.
Your AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite Mastercard will earn $3,000 EQDs at $50,000 spend on purchases starting January 1, 2019. This benefit will then apply for all years moving forward until any additional changes are made to the benefits structure. If benefits are changed in the future, Cardmembers will be sent out a letter informing them of the change. All AAdvantage Aviator Red and Silver Mastercard holders were sent out this notification on October 22, 2018 and will typically arrive within 7 to 10 business days.
We hope you find this information helpful, and we thank you for your continued business. If you have any other questions or concerns, please reply to this message.
Sincerely,
Customer Care
Barclaycard Aviator Red no EQD, Silver $3k EQD Only as of 2019
#32
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: DL Silver, Avis President's Club, Hertz President's Circle, Global Entry (Former AA Plt/Gold)
Posts: 4,417
Okay snark aside, maybe someone is trying to improve the experience for the elites and lounge guests, rather than seeing the CC perks as liabilities. Maybe.
#33
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
What you say is blasphemy. In the old days of flying you would be sent to work at a remote outstation in the middle of nowhere just for this sort of thinking. Today things have changed and you might be sent to labor for Delta for thinking about the customer experience
Last edited by JY1024; Oct 23, 2018 at 6:34 pm Reason: Merged consecutive posts
#34
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,467
Well, American has just announced that they’re devaluing the ability to earn EQDs through credit card spend as of 2019.
Conversely, doing a Google news search for, "Austin water," brings up multiple news sources for the boil advisory that the City of Austin issued yesterday (been all over our news yesterday).
I'd expect an, "announcement," to be just that. Nowhere in the article do they claim that this is an inside source.
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 22,929
#37
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Miami
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 7
Dougy is always trying to play catchup. I mean, how is Delta's stock performing so well? It must be the change to the EQD waiver on the Amex, and that Skyclubs are tied to same-day tickets. It can't have anything to do with on-time performance, IFE, or more comfortable economy cabins, or the crew.
Okay snark aside, maybe someone is trying to improve the experience for the elites and lounge guests, rather than seeing the CC perks as liabilities. Maybe.
Okay snark aside, maybe someone is trying to improve the experience for the elites and lounge guests, rather than seeing the CC perks as liabilities. Maybe.
#38
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
#39
TPG is reporting this too.
Idk why so many of you are arguing that this cant be true since the bloggers announced it first.
Are they usually wrong about enhancements like this????? I think their track record is pretty good.
Idk why so many of you are arguing that this cant be true since the bloggers announced it first.
Are they usually wrong about enhancements like this????? I think their track record is pretty good.
#41
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,467
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...gh-card-spend/
What is odd is that they all are quoting from an, "announcement," from an unnamed source, when such an announcement cannot be found anywhere. In this source, Gary actually has a box with a quote from that source, yet there is nothing from AA or Barclay's anywhere.
When JonNYC posts about upcoming changes, he specifies that these are in the pipeline, forthcoming, or otherwise that they aren't official announcements (yet).
I'm not doubting anything, but I'd like to see the official announcement that these sources are quoting, and concerned that it hasn't been shared with customers but has been shared elsewhere.
Last edited by aztimm; Oct 23, 2018 at 11:05 am
#42
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
My read on the situation is this might be an alternative to AA raising EQD requirements for 2020 status levels. I can only imagine AA raised the price of the EQDs bought by Barclays US and Barclays had to say it couldn't do it anymore based on the profitability of the card. Perhaps the credit card group AA members was one of the only major groups who could have lower actual spend, but still obtain status?
However, I am unsure on what Barclays could offer as a new benefit. If they don't have something to immediately announce, then it appears the price increase of the purchased EQDs was not something they expected. The fact they have this almost year window to allow EQD accrual on existing cardholders is a graceful situation (and maybe removes the need to better publicize the change).
Or maybe they need to figure out that replacement benefit before they email the cardholders...
However, I am unsure on what Barclays could offer as a new benefit. If they don't have something to immediately announce, then it appears the price increase of the purchased EQDs was not something they expected. The fact they have this almost year window to allow EQD accrual on existing cardholders is a graceful situation (and maybe removes the need to better publicize the change).
Or maybe they need to figure out that replacement benefit before they email the cardholders...
#45
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Thanks for adding to the collective wisdom. We dont slay the messenger here.