Nov 5, 2018, 12:18 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
AAdvantage program changes have been announced, to be implemented 1 January 2019. In part:
AAdvantage® program updates
What’s new (link)
2019 AAdvantage® program updates
We’re introducing a few updates effective January 1, 2019, for AAdvantage® members, including new qualification requirements for AAdvantage® Executive Platinum status and extra rewards Executive Platinum members can choose.
Additionally, we’re changing how you earn Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) on American and select oneworld® airlines, and what you earn when flying on special fares (such as bulk or consolidator fares) and exception tickets (cases when ticket/fare details are unavailable).
Executive Platinum qualification and rewards
The Elite Qualifying Dollar (EQD) requirement for AAdvantage® Executive Platinum status is increasing from $12,000 EQDs to $15,000 EQDs for the 2020 membership year. (You’ll need to earn $15,000 EQD in 2019 to qualify for Executive Platinum for the Status year beginning 1 Feb 2020.)
Upon qualification for Executive Platinum status, members who reach 150,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs), 200,000 EQMs and 250,000 EQMs can choose a reward.
Reach 150,000 EQMs and choose from:
2 systemwide upgrades
40,000 bonus miles
Gift of AAdvantage® Gold status
Reach 200,000 EQMs and choose from:
2 systemwide upgrades
40,000 bonus miles
Gift of AAdvantage® Platinum status
Reach 250,000 EQMs and choose from:
2 systemwide upgrades
40,000 bonus miles
Gift of AAdvantage® Platinum status
You can track your progress toward reaching these reward levels in your account. Once you reach these goals, your reward choices will be available in your wallet.
Earning Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs)
The EQMs you earn on select oneworld® airlines are increasing to be aligned with what you earn when flying on an American-marketed flight. (NOTE: affects JBA one world airlines only)
British Airways
Finnair
Iberia
Japan Airlines
The EQMs earned on American-marketed flights on fares booked in “Y” are decreasing from 1.5 EQMs to 1.0 EQMs per mile flown to be more in line with the ticket value.
Earning on special fare tickets
Earning on special fare tickets
We’re adjusting the award miles, class of service bonus, EQDs and EQMs to match the value of the ticket for select booking codes for travel on American-marketed flights on these ticket types:
Special fares (such as bulk and consolidator fare tickets)
Earning when ticket/fare details are unavailable
In some cases what you earn on these tickets is increasing and in other cases it’s decreasing.
What’s new (link)
2019 AAdvantage® program updates
We’re introducing a few updates effective January 1, 2019, for AAdvantage® members, including new qualification requirements for AAdvantage® Executive Platinum status and extra rewards Executive Platinum members can choose.
Additionally, we’re changing how you earn Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) on American and select oneworld® airlines, and what you earn when flying on special fares (such as bulk or consolidator fares) and exception tickets (cases when ticket/fare details are unavailable).
Executive Platinum qualification and rewards
The Elite Qualifying Dollar (EQD) requirement for AAdvantage® Executive Platinum status is increasing from $12,000 EQDs to $15,000 EQDs for the 2020 membership year. (You’ll need to earn $15,000 EQD in 2019 to qualify for Executive Platinum for the Status year beginning 1 Feb 2020.)
NOTE: see Barclaycard Aviator Red no EQD, Silver $3k EQD Only as of 2019 thread on credit card EQD reductions
Reach 150,000 EQMs and choose from:
2 systemwide upgrades
40,000 bonus miles
Gift of AAdvantage® Gold status
Reach 200,000 EQMs and choose from:
2 systemwide upgrades
40,000 bonus miles
Gift of AAdvantage® Platinum status
Reach 250,000 EQMs and choose from:
2 systemwide upgrades
40,000 bonus miles
Gift of AAdvantage® Platinum status
You can track your progress toward reaching these reward levels in your account. Once you reach these goals, your reward choices will be available in your wallet.
Earning Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs)
The EQMs you earn on select oneworld® airlines are increasing to be aligned with what you earn when flying on an American-marketed flight. (NOTE: affects JBA one world airlines only)
British Airways
Finnair
Iberia
Japan Airlines
The EQMs earned on American-marketed flights on fares booked in “Y” are decreasing from 1.5 EQMs to 1.0 EQMs per mile flown to be more in line with the ticket value.
Earning on special fare tickets
Earning on special fare tickets
We’re adjusting the award miles, class of service bonus, EQDs and EQMs to match the value of the ticket for select booking codes for travel on American-marketed flights on these ticket types:
Special fares (such as bulk and consolidator fare tickets)
Earning when ticket/fare details are unavailable
In some cases what you earn on these tickets is increasing and in other cases it’s decreasing.
AAdvantage Program Changes as of Jan 2019 and EXP EQD Requirement
Nov 5, 2018, 1:24 pm
#76
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,510
$2600 all in for J with the Chase BA CC & AARP discounts.
Now 40k EQMs and $4,972 EQDs.
You can book this price almost all year and sometimes even on short notice.
Nov 5, 2018, 1:26 pm
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,013
Nov 5, 2018, 1:28 pm
#78
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
Posts: 3,209
This will be Mr. Parker's death sentence
"Those Who Do Not Learn History Are Doomed To Repeat It." -George Santayana
The "Wirehouse" Financial Services Industry Merrill Lynch, UBS, Morgan Stanley, SmithBarney, Prudential Securities, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, J. P. Morgan, and more tried this "Strategy" in 2003-6.
Simply put-"No more poor people". Poor being defined as less than $9,999,999 in investable assets. Corporate Strategy-It was easier and more "cost effective" to deal with the wealthy, than people with less $
Fast forward-2008. There are a finite number of people with $10,000, 000 to invest (who knew?). Advisors were leaving to small organizations that welcomed their "poor" clients, Clients were deserting like it was the Titanic, feeling "unwelcome".. Wirehouse revenues down.
Solution:OMG! Poor people DON"T suck. ALL those CEO's are now "retired".
So, Mr. Parker, Mr Delta, and Mr. Munoz, if some of the biggest , brightest, intelligent, and arrogant MBA's (from some of the "finest"
MBA programs in the universe) couldn't make the same strategy you are now embracing religiously following work with people WITH money, what makes YOU think this time it will be different in your $10 makes-a difference-industry?
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Einstein
The "Wirehouse" Financial Services Industry Merrill Lynch, UBS, Morgan Stanley, SmithBarney, Prudential Securities, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, J. P. Morgan, and more tried this "Strategy" in 2003-6.
Simply put-"No more poor people". Poor being defined as less than $9,999,999 in investable assets. Corporate Strategy-It was easier and more "cost effective" to deal with the wealthy, than people with less $
Fast forward-2008. There are a finite number of people with $10,000, 000 to invest (who knew?). Advisors were leaving to small organizations that welcomed their "poor" clients, Clients were deserting like it was the Titanic, feeling "unwelcome".. Wirehouse revenues down.
Solution:OMG! Poor people DON"T suck. ALL those CEO's are now "retired".
So, Mr. Parker, Mr Delta, and Mr. Munoz, if some of the biggest , brightest, intelligent, and arrogant MBA's (from some of the "finest"
MBA programs in the universe) couldn't make the same strategy you are now embracing religiously following work with people WITH money, what makes YOU think this time it will be different in your $10 makes-a difference-industry?"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Einstein
Last edited by Dallas49er; Nov 5, 2018 at 4:36 pm
Nov 5, 2018, 1:31 pm
#79
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New York
Programs: AA EXP 1.0mm, not sure where I am with hotels these days
Posts: 2,795
F will still be full. For non impacted ExAts already over the $15k EQD, what does it matter how many places below you others are, if they are already below you? Exp Desk is already a shell if it’s former self.
Where is the advantage to high value fliers of the higher EQD requirement,, other than knowing its more exclusive.
Nov 5, 2018, 1:34 pm
#80
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PL, SPG G, MR G, HH G, CC G, AMEX PL
Posts: 1,465
Hi, with the recent draconian changes to FF programs it's becoming virtually impossible next year for me to requalify for the third year of my EXP, especially that $3K for was taken away from us from Aviator Red benefits. I have a legal citizenship in another country. What negative effect would it have on my AA membership if I changed my address there to a different country and hence be exempt from the EQD requirements? Thanks in advance.
Nov 5, 2018, 1:36 pm
#81
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Hi, with the recent draconian changes to FF programs it's becoming virtually impossible next year for me to requalify for the third year of my EXP, especially that $3K for was taken away from us from Aviator Red benefits. I have a legal citizenship in another country. What negative effect would it have on my AA membership if I changed my address there to a different country and hence be exempt from the EQD requirements? Thanks in advance.
Nov 5, 2018, 1:48 pm
#85
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PL, SPG G, MR G, HH G, CC G, AMEX PL
Posts: 1,465
Maybe it's time to do a status match next year and move to UA then.
Nov 5, 2018, 1:52 pm
#86
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MSP/DFW
Programs: Priority Club PLT, Marriott Titanium, AA EXP
Posts: 480
You do have a possibility of those who, prior to this change, were 15k+ on EQD, but sub 100k on EQM, due to reduced mileage earnings on some partner flights, who now may become EXP due to the increased EQM earned.
Nov 5, 2018, 1:53 pm
#87
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Also, credits earnings on UA are different - you do not earn credits from partner marketed flights (*A mostly) IIRC.
Nov 5, 2018, 2:11 pm
#89
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 37
This will knock me out of EXP in 2020 as well. With travel already booked out for the rest of 2018, I'm looking at approximately 100,500 EQM and approximately $14k EQD (with $6k coming from AAviator Silver bonuses) for this year. I can't see a scenario where I go from $8k actual airfare spend up to $12k next year, so it's probably down to PlatPro for me. I agree with some of the posts above, from an domestic upgrade perspective, at least I wouldn't have to start collecting stickers again, and I'd probably be around the same spot on the list anyway relative to where I am now (albeit maybe a little lower after losing $3k in credit card bonus, but so will many others I'm sure). I think the only losses I'd even notice would be the no SWUs (which in the end, we'd probably end up using miles for an F or J award instead of paying a cash fare just to use the SWU, so probably come out ahead there), losing the free award mile reinstatement (which means we'd need more concrete plans before we booked an award) and the loss of free cheese plate when I'm flying in the back (I can dish out the $7 if I'm really hungry I guess). Being based out of PHL, unless I want to start flying Southwest or connect in Chicago (UA) or Atlanta/Detroit (Delta) on every trip, there's not like I have much choice anyway.
Last edited by zzpitt; Nov 5, 2018 at 2:12 pm Reason: Wrong credit card listed
