Dec 2, 2019, 9:39 am
Last edit by: Prospero
Help! I need ....... by a certain date / the end of the year / to (re)qualify.
Earning status:
Link to AAdvantage status requirements page on AA.com
Link to AAdvantage status benefits page on AA.com
If you have not received a buy back offer or would like to see your offer (if any), you can see it by visiting https://elite.aa.com
You must earn the requisite Elite Qualifying Miles or flown Elite Qualifying Segments in one calendar year as well as earning the requisite Elite Qualifying Dollar spend. That earns status for the remainder of the current and the following status years: earn during 2017, status persists through 31 Jan 2019. You must fly to earn; There’s no way to earn EQ instruments for yourself flying someone else or no-showing for a purchased flight.
You must earn the requisite number of Elite Qualifying Dollars. For the thread on EQD, see here.
See FAQ: Earning EQD / Elite Qualifying Dollars on AA and partner airlines (2017 on)
Renewing status:
AA once used to offer "grace" if one was just short of achieving status, particularly if one was reachieving, by earning Elite Qualifying Miles or Segments; that hasn't been the case in recent years. Choices are:
1) Requalifying, but just missing the goal? AA has the buyback / renew / boost program, enabling you to purchase back status if you fall short of requalifying by stipulated levels.
2018 Buyback / Renew / Boost Program for Status year 2019.
NOTES:
Some links to resources and tools:
Use tools available (Google Flights, ITA Matrix by Google, etc.) to find flights for "mileage runs" or "segment runs" to complete status requirements. There are threads (and aa.com pages) that explain how many EQM you earn on AA and partners' flights
Link to Google Flights (put in the origin only, add your restrictions such as airline or alliances)
Link to FT-AA Thread "Using Google Flights for American Airlines flight searches"
Link to Google ITA Matrix (flights and rules finder)
Link to Innosked oneworld interactive network map and timetable
Link to Great Circle Mapper (miles and distance calculations)
Link to FT Mileage Run Deals forum
Link to FT Premium Fare Deals forum
Link to FT Mileage Run Discussion forum
Link to the 2017-18 thread.
For the 2016 thread, please see: ARCHIVE: 2016 "HELP! I need xx EQM / EQP / EQS by end of year" master thread
For 2015, please see: ARCHIVE: 2015 "HELP! I need XXX EQM / EQP / EQS by end of year" thread
The transaction date is what AA counts for account activity purposes, not the posting date.
Be aware of the difference between the kinds of miles we are discussing.
Those concerned about earning of retaining status are seeking Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) and / or Dollars (EQD), Segments (EQS) to earn in the current calendar year. For that or EQ Segments, see 2016 "I'll be short EQM / EQS for status this year?" & related status earning qq
Others are looking for Award or Redeemable Miles (RDM) which can be spent on various awards and earned in various ways - flying, buying, gifting and even using. Your account redeemable (previously occasionally called "prize-eligible" by AA) miles will remain usable for a period of eighteen months after your last account activity - this can be earning miles in any way, flying or even via using your AA-linked credit card, purchasing miles or renting a car with an AA partner, or using miles by gifting them, donating to charity. To prevent your account from lapsing, you must have account activity in the period of 18 months.
The full AAdvantage Terms and Conditions may be read here, including information on earning, spending and reinstatement possibilities for lapsed miles.
A very few of the more popular ways of earning miles, other than actually flying, include:
Earning status:
Link to AAdvantage status requirements page on AA.com
Link to AAdvantage status benefits page on AA.com
If you have not received a buy back offer or would like to see your offer (if any), you can see it by visiting https://elite.aa.com
You must earn the requisite Elite Qualifying Miles or flown Elite Qualifying Segments in one calendar year as well as earning the requisite Elite Qualifying Dollar spend. That earns status for the remainder of the current and the following status years: earn during 2017, status persists through 31 Jan 2019. You must fly to earn; There’s no way to earn EQ instruments for yourself flying someone else or no-showing for a purchased flight.
You must earn the requisite number of Elite Qualifying Dollars. For the thread on EQD, see here.
See FAQ: Earning EQD / Elite Qualifying Dollars on AA and partner airlines (2017 on)
Renewing status:
AA once used to offer "grace" if one was just short of achieving status, particularly if one was reachieving, by earning Elite Qualifying Miles or Segments; that hasn't been the case in recent years. Choices are:
1) Requalifying, but just missing the goal? AA has the buyback / renew / boost program, enabling you to purchase back status if you fall short of requalifying by stipulated levels.
2018 Buyback / Renew / Boost Program for Status year 2019.
NOTES:
- Flights flown as marketed by AA (AA codeshare) earn as if one is flying AA. (It doesn't matter where one purchased the ticketed - the word "marketed" doesn't mean where you purchased the ticket.) But watch those Basic Economy fares!
- Through flights with a single flight number such as MIA-PHX-SFO will count as a single segment and only earn miles as if flown MIA-SFO.
- One no longer must fly at least 4 segments on American Airlines or American Eagle to qualify for AAdvantage status within the qualifying year. (AA marketed / AA codeshares do count for this. This requirement no longer is in effect, but there is a minimum dollar spend requirement -MQD - as well as EQM or EQS.)
- EQMs do not include class-of-service bonus miles, elite bonuses, other participant miles, any other AAdvantage bonus mileage, or miles obtained from BuyMiles, GiftMiles or the offer you get when buying a ticket or checking in.
- If you were involuntarily rerouted losing EQM / EQS, you might want to read FAQ: Involuntary Reroute and Original Routing Credit (ORC) (consolidated)
- Two AAdvantage credit cards award EQM for high annual spenders: Citi Executive card and the Barclaycard Aviator Silver offer EQM at certain spend points, and the latter offers EQD offset. See your current card benefits for the amounts. (These are merely for status purposes, not Million Miler, etc.) Some Barclaycard Aviator cards also award EQD credit.
- AA has introduced new "Basic Fares"; be aware of many restrictions.
Some links to resources and tools:
Use tools available (Google Flights, ITA Matrix by Google, etc.) to find flights for "mileage runs" or "segment runs" to complete status requirements. There are threads (and aa.com pages) that explain how many EQM you earn on AA and partners' flights
Link to Google Flights (put in the origin only, add your restrictions such as airline or alliances)
Link to FT-AA Thread "Using Google Flights for American Airlines flight searches"
Link to Google ITA Matrix (flights and rules finder)
Link to Innosked oneworld interactive network map and timetable
Link to Great Circle Mapper (miles and distance calculations)
Link to FT Mileage Run Deals forum
Link to FT Premium Fare Deals forum
Link to FT Mileage Run Discussion forum
Link to the 2017-18 thread.
For the 2016 thread, please see: ARCHIVE: 2016 "HELP! I need xx EQM / EQP / EQS by end of year" master thread
For 2015, please see: ARCHIVE: 2015 "HELP! I need XXX EQM / EQP / EQS by end of year" thread
The transaction date is what AA counts for account activity purposes, not the posting date.
Be aware of the difference between the kinds of miles we are discussing.
Those concerned about earning of retaining status are seeking Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) and / or Dollars (EQD), Segments (EQS) to earn in the current calendar year. For that or EQ Segments, see 2016 "I'll be short EQM / EQS for status this year?" & related status earning qq
Others are looking for Award or Redeemable Miles (RDM) which can be spent on various awards and earned in various ways - flying, buying, gifting and even using. Your account redeemable (previously occasionally called "prize-eligible" by AA) miles will remain usable for a period of eighteen months after your last account activity - this can be earning miles in any way, flying or even via using your AA-linked credit card, purchasing miles or renting a car with an AA partner, or using miles by gifting them, donating to charity. To prevent your account from lapsing, you must have account activity in the period of 18 months.
AAdvantage members must have mileage earning or redeeming activity once every 18 months in order to retain their miles. If your account has no qualifying activity in any 18-month period, all miles in the account will expire. Qualifying activity extends the expiration date of all unexpired mileage credit in your account for 18 months from the date of the qualifying activity. Qualifying activity is defined as redeeming any AAdvantage award or accruing mileage credit on any eligible American, American Eagle® or AAdvantage airline participant as well as accruing mileage credit with participating hotels, car rental companies, credit cards, telecommunication providers and other service providers offering AAdvantage mileage credit.
A very few of the more popular ways of earning miles, other than actually flying, include:
- using Barclays, CitiBank and American Express cards linked to AAdvantage; see the AA credit cards page here. There are several threads that can be found on this Forum using the Search function.
- in the USA, signing up for AAdvantage Dining here
- shopping via the AA shopping portal - read about and link to portal here (iTunes for a few miles)
- buying, gifting or sharing AA miles - read more here
HELP! I need xx EQ D,M,S / miles by date / EOY - 2019-2020 master thread
Oct 22, 2019, 10:20 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,668
LGA-CHS/RDU for $120 on a Saturday morning/afternoon.
https://www.google.com/flights#flt=L...2.USD;sd:1;t:f
https://www.google.com/flights#flt=L...2.USD;sd:1;t:f
Oct 22, 2019, 10:22 am
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: AA - EXP
Posts: 233
Being platinum pro with flexibility and same day change could have a change of swinging an upgrade too.
Also LOVE beautiful people.
Oct 22, 2019, 10:23 am
#19
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 100
Or fly Basic Economy EWR-CLT if going to EWR doesn't bother you. AA appears to be competing with Spirit on that route and the r/t fares are as low as $62. You can leave at 6:30am from EWR and be back by 11:30am (schedule is wide open, even on at least one weekend).
Warning, since the EQD are only calculated based on fare and fees (not taxes) the EQD earnings on the $62 round trip are $37.20. I *think* I read somewhere on FT that the EQDs round up, but don't hold me to that.
edit: Checked my flight history and can confirm that EQDs round up. Do I get a gold star for hitting the necessary EQD requirement exactly?
Warning, since the EQD are only calculated based on fare and fees (not taxes) the EQD earnings on the $62 round trip are $37.20. I *think* I read somewhere on FT that the EQDs round up, but don't hold me to that.
edit: Checked my flight history and can confirm that EQDs round up. Do I get a gold star for hitting the necessary EQD requirement exactly?
Last edited by Ivan Denisovich; Oct 22, 2019 at 10:31 am
Oct 22, 2019, 10:29 am
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Hey all,
The context here for the BA strike was I had an LHR - BCN in J booked which rendered around 170 EQD... Unfortunately, the rebook options got me into Barcelona 12-24hr's too late for my work schedule so took the refund and rebooked on Norwegian (the only carrier that had a 6am flight).
NewYorkGeorge is on the money here, waiting until December to be potentially told no would create a really expensive last min MR.
I have a return trip to Asia in a month that's 100% booked with miles I had to burn other than that nothing else booked for the end of the year.
Alas a Mileage run looks in the cards. I can most likely justify a trip out to LA but the Mrs will not be pleased me being away for another chunk!
Thanks all and good luck to the rest of y'all pushing for status this year!
The context here for the BA strike was I had an LHR - BCN in J booked which rendered around 170 EQD... Unfortunately, the rebook options got me into Barcelona 12-24hr's too late for my work schedule so took the refund and rebooked on Norwegian (the only carrier that had a 6am flight).
NewYorkGeorge is on the money here, waiting until December to be potentially told no would create a really expensive last min MR.
I have a return trip to Asia in a month that's 100% booked with miles I had to burn other than that nothing else booked for the end of the year.
Alas a Mileage run looks in the cards. I can most likely justify a trip out to LA but the Mrs will not be pleased me being away for another chunk!
Thanks all and good luck to the rest of y'all pushing for status this year!
Oct 22, 2019, 10:34 am
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: AA - EXP
Posts: 233
Or fly Basic Economy EWR-CLT if going to EWR doesn't bother you. AA appears to be competing with Spirit on that route and the r/t fares are as low as $62. You can leave at 6:30am from EWR and be back by 11:30am (schedule is wide open, even on at least one weekend).
Warning, since the EQD are only calculated based on fare and fees (not taxes) the EQD earnings on the $62 round trip are $37.20. I *think* I read somewhere on FT that the EQDs round up, but don't hold me to that.
edit: Checked my flight history and can confirm that EQDs round up. Do I get a gold star for hitting the necessary EQD requirement exactly?
Warning, since the EQD are only calculated based on fare and fees (not taxes) the EQD earnings on the $62 round trip are $37.20. I *think* I read somewhere on FT that the EQDs round up, but don't hold me to that.
edit: Checked my flight history and can confirm that EQDs round up. Do I get a gold star for hitting the necessary EQD requirement exactly?
Oct 22, 2019, 10:34 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,249
Or fly Basic Economy EWR-CLT if going to EWR doesn't bother you. AA appears to be competing with Spirit on that route and the r/t fares are as low as $62. You can leave at 6:30am from EWR and be back by 11:30am (schedule is wide open, even on at least one weekend).
Warning, since the EQD are only calculated based on fare and fees (not taxes) the EQD earnings on the $62 round trip are $37.20. I *think* I read somewhere on FT that the EQDs round up, but don't hold me to that.
edit: Checked my flight history and can confirm that EQDs round up. Do I get a gold star for hitting the necessary EQD requirement exactly?
Warning, since the EQD are only calculated based on fare and fees (not taxes) the EQD earnings on the $62 round trip are $37.20. I *think* I read somewhere on FT that the EQDs round up, but don't hold me to that.
edit: Checked my flight history and can confirm that EQDs round up. Do I get a gold star for hitting the necessary EQD requirement exactly?
Oct 22, 2019, 10:36 am
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: AA - EXP
Posts: 233
LGA-CHS/RDU for $120 on a Saturday morning/afternoon.
https://www.google.com/flights#flt=L...2.USD;sd:1;t:f
https://www.google.com/flights#flt=L...2.USD;sd:1;t:f
Oct 22, 2019, 10:45 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,668
Another more glam option is weekend in BCN with the wife, direct flights, for $240-340 pp.
https://www.google.com/flights#flt=J...2.USD;sd:1;t:f
https://www.google.com/flights#flt=J...2.USD;sd:1;t:f
https://www.google.com/flights#flt=J...2.USD;sd:1;t:f
https://www.google.com/flights#flt=J...2.USD;sd:1;t:f
Oct 22, 2019, 10:55 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,668
And the best option, weekend in the DR with the wife from LGA for $234 pp.
https://www.google.com/flights#flt=L...35*2.USD.23335
https://www.google.com/flights#flt=L...35*2.USD.23335
Oct 22, 2019, 11:12 am
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,668
For full day trips, I used to do mostly MIA (took $5 train to South Beach and back) or LAX (Uber to Venice Beach and back), I would get these for less than $100 airfare roundtrip from ORD and will clear upgrades both ways, these were the days, lol....
MIA is a good option for you for day trip from LGA.
MIA is a good option for you for day trip from LGA.
Last edited by nk15; Oct 22, 2019 at 11:20 am
Oct 22, 2019, 12:33 pm
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
Nope. I was $76 EQD short WITH tons of travel booked and upcoming and asked if they could nudge me over the line so I could use the SWU (had some C-space waiting) and they said sorry. Nothing to be done, wait until next flight.
Oct 22, 2019, 12:38 pm
#29
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
Another more glam option is weekend in BCN with the wife, direct flights, for $240-340 pp.
https://www.google.com/flights#flt=J...2.USD;sd:1;t:f
https://www.google.com/flights#flt=J...2.USD;sd:1;t:f
https://www.google.com/flights#flt=J...2.USD;sd:1;t:f
https://www.google.com/flights#flt=J...2.USD;sd:1;t:f
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...nes/iberia.jsp
On LEVEL flights
As of November 1, 2017, travel on any flights marketed by Iberia and operated by Iberia for LEVEL (IB2600 – IB2699) aren't eligible for AAdvantage mileage accrual.
Oct 22, 2019, 12:53 pm
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: AA - EXP
Posts: 233
EDIT: Oddly this posted on my account as 'Customer Service Bonus'. 126 is exactly the EQD amount I was disputing... Human error?
I really appreciate everyone's feedback and suggestions here.
Another piece of this puzzle is, I was under the impression that Qantas S fares between New Zealand and Australia had a new upped EQD earning according to the changes on Oct 1st. Had some intel in this thread which confirmed I was wrong.
I had emailed customer service Sunday and got a response explaining what I learned in the thread.
Oddly on the phone before getting a response from my email an agent told me I was right and this should be calculated higher. He said to give it a few days and it would be amended. Lot of typing and apologizing for it being incorrect on his behalf.
Considering that A) I was wrong and B) Customer service emailed to confirm I was wrong I'm not holding my breath. Unless the agent on the phone somehow managed it change it manually and bypassed the correct earning and this customer service email? Slim chance.
I really appreciate everyone's feedback and suggestions here.
Another piece of this puzzle is, I was under the impression that Qantas S fares between New Zealand and Australia had a new upped EQD earning according to the changes on Oct 1st. Had some intel in this thread which confirmed I was wrong.
I had emailed customer service Sunday and got a response explaining what I learned in the thread.
Oddly on the phone before getting a response from my email an agent told me I was right and this should be calculated higher. He said to give it a few days and it would be amended. Lot of typing and apologizing for it being incorrect on his behalf.
Considering that A) I was wrong and B) Customer service emailed to confirm I was wrong I'm not holding my breath. Unless the agent on the phone somehow managed it change it manually and bypassed the correct earning and this customer service email? Slim chance.
Last edited by mosfet; Oct 23, 2019 at 3:07 pm