Apr 13, 2020, 12:27 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
AAdvantage® program updates — link
AAdvantage® members are among our most loyal customers, and we want you to know how much we value your choice to fly with us. When the time is right for you to travel again, we’re doing all we can to ensure you receive the benefits of your membership and elite status.In the coming weeks, we will:
- Extend AAdvantage® elite status through January 2022
- Lower elite qualification thresholds for 2020
- Extend the expiration date for systemwide upgrades
- Lower EQM thresholds for Executive Platinum rewards for 2020
- Introduce a promotion to reach Million Miler℠ status
- Waive award reinstatement and change fees for award bookings*
- Add a new American Airlines Vacations offer for AAdvantage® elite status members
Extending your AAdvantage® elite status
If your current elite status expires on January 31, 2021, we’ll automatically extend the expiration date until January 31, 2022.You’ll continue to enjoy all the benefits that come with your status, and you can earn a higher status through lower elite qualification requirements this year.
Accounts will be updated by May 15, 2020.
Lowering elite qualification requirements
You’ll be able to qualify for a higher elite status in 2020 with lower Elite Qualifying Dollar (EQD), Elite Qualifying Mile (EQM) and Elite Qualifying Segment (EQS) requirements.see chart via link
The new lower qualification thresholds will take effect by May 15, 2020. Once these changes are in place, members who reach the lower thresholds during 2020 will receive their status immediately upon qualifying (or retroactively once the changes take effect), valid through January 31, 2022.
Extending expiration of systemwide upgrades
Any unused systemwide upgrades with an expiration date of January 31, 2021, will be automatically extended through July 31, 2021. (Posted in account weekend of May 2-3 2020.)While we’re not awarding new systemwide upgrades with the extension of Executive Platinum status, members who qualify or re-qualify for Executive Platinum status in 2020 will receive 4 systemwide upgrades valid through January 31, 2022.
Accounts will be updated by May 15, 2020.
also:
Lowering EQM thresholds for Executive Platinum rewards
Introducing a promotion to reach Million MilerSM status
Waiving award reinstatement and change fees for award bookings (sliding scales based in advance cancellations - see this thread)
Offering an American Airlines Vacations (one time $400) credit
See full information via the link above.
Current AAdvantage Status Extension Thru 31 Jan 2022 & Program Updates
Apr 13, 2020, 10:08 pm
#91
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: US
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, Starwood Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,020
Really? Does anyone have any insight/guesstimate as to what Citi is paying for these miles? Obviously would be at a big discount to what Citi would usually pay for reward miles because these miles are not redeemable for travel. For most heavy fliers the million miler program has little tangible value. Lifetime platinum has limited value and the extra systemwides for reaching subsequent million mile levels offer little incentive now, given the easier levels for earning SWUs and also increasingly difficult opportunities to use.
Apr 14, 2020, 12:19 am
#93
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,507
First time I've seen a Web Special in Business for a partner airline. Looks like it still books into U, as opposed to the Web Specials in AA Business that typically book into J.
I assume you meant travel a lot in 2020? Unless AA announced something about reduced qualifiation requirements in 2021 for 2022 status as well? (like UA hinted at)
Apr 14, 2020, 12:45 am
#94
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: DTW / SJC
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 764
Apr 14, 2020, 12:56 am
#95
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: DTW / SJC
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 764
Very interesting. I was able to find an example of this, but only when searching a round-trip. Same BA flight didn't show up at the lower mileage price when searching one-way.
First time I've seen a Web Special in Business for a partner airline. Looks like it still books into U, as opposed to the Web Specials in AA Business that typically book into J.
First time I've seen a Web Special in Business for a partner airline. Looks like it still books into U, as opposed to the Web Specials in AA Business that typically book into J.
Apr 14, 2020, 4:49 am
#96
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
Programs: AA EXP 2.8m,Lifetime PLT, Hilton Diamond, IHG PlLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 3,191
I think, as I am sure many of you probably do... after all the bashing AA received in the past few weeks for not announcing any sort of extension,
I am not only very happy and surprised at the same time, that AA did the right thing.
Well done AA....although it took a while
I am not only very happy and surprised at the same time, that AA did the right thing.
Well done AA....although it took a while
Apr 14, 2020, 5:49 am
#97
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: DCA and STL
Programs: AA Concierge Key, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, National Car Executive Elite
Posts: 524
I'm so glad that AA did what they did. In the past week, ever since DL and UA announced their changes, many people have posted what might be described as "anxiety" over what AA would offer. While I didn't post anything indicating it, I was anxiously waiting to see how AA would respond. Maybe this is a sign that the people posting on FlyerTalk are doing okay since there are obviously far more challenging economic and health concerns we could have been worried about. Remembering Psychology 101 from 40 years ago, I think in Maslow's Hierarchy, AA passengers must be at the "self realization" level in that hierarchy (I may have the term wrong - I think I only earned a C in that class 
)
)
Apr 14, 2020, 7:36 am
#99
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
The holy grail of elite status, upgrades, will still be based upon 12 month rolling spend, therefore, someone that retained EXP this year but traveled very little will be way down on the upgrade list (even as an EXP) when things return to somewhat normal. Yes there will be far more EXPs and during irregular operations it will be harder to get through to the EXP desk.
Apr 14, 2020, 10:32 am
#100
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sun Prairie, WI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, HH Diamond, National Executive
Posts: 1,786
Am I the only one here surprised at the amount of FTers that think the new requirements will lead to many more EXPs? The new requirements of 60K EQMs and $9k EQDs isn't far off from the normal Platinum Pro 75K EQMs and $9K EQDs (old requirements). Given that at the very minimum 1/3 of most business travel is essentially lost this year I just don't see how many more people qualify on the new thresholds.
When I stopped travelling in March I was at $3475 EQDs and just over 25K EQMs. The amount of different events cancelled as far out as October for this year will severely impact my chances of getting anywhere near the new EXP requirements. Even if things opened up say June 1, I don't see myself getting out and travelling for business. I also expect the EQD portion to be extremely difficult given the low fares and lack of international travel.
I suppose there may be a few who are able to take advantage of this but I suspect 90+% of travelers are going to take the extension and start focusing on travel again in 2021.
When I stopped travelling in March I was at $3475 EQDs and just over 25K EQMs. The amount of different events cancelled as far out as October for this year will severely impact my chances of getting anywhere near the new EXP requirements. Even if things opened up say June 1, I don't see myself getting out and travelling for business. I also expect the EQD portion to be extremely difficult given the low fares and lack of international travel.
I suppose there may be a few who are able to take advantage of this but I suspect 90+% of travelers are going to take the extension and start focusing on travel again in 2021.
Apr 14, 2020, 10:39 am
#101
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MHK
Programs: AA Exec Plat - some level of status in IHG, Marriot & HIlton
Posts: 1,516
Am I the only one here surprised at the amount of FTers that think the new requirements will lead to many more EXPs? The new requirements of 60K EQMs and $9k EQDs isn't far off from the normal Platinum Pro 75K EQMs and $9K EQDs (old requirements). Given that at the very minimum 1/3 of most business travel is essentially lost this year I just don't see how many more people qualify on the new thresholds.
When I stopped travelling in March I was at $3475 EQDs and just over 25K EQMs. The amount of different events cancelled as far out as October for this year will severely impact my chances of getting anywhere near the new EXP requirements. Even if things opened up say June 1, I don't see myself getting out and travelling for business. I also expect the EQD portion to be extremely difficult given the low fares and lack of international travel.
I suppose there may be a few who are able to take advantage of this but I suspect 90+% of travelers are going to take the extension and start focusing on travel again in 2021.
When I stopped travelling in March I was at $3475 EQDs and just over 25K EQMs. The amount of different events cancelled as far out as October for this year will severely impact my chances of getting anywhere near the new EXP requirements. Even if things opened up say June 1, I don't see myself getting out and travelling for business. I also expect the EQD portion to be extremely difficult given the low fares and lack of international travel.
I suppose there may be a few who are able to take advantage of this but I suspect 90+% of travelers are going to take the extension and start focusing on travel again in 2021.
Apr 14, 2020, 10:48 am
#102
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
Am I the only one here surprised at the amount of FTers that think the new requirements will lead to many more EXPs? The new requirements of 60K EQMs and $9k EQDs isn't far off from the normal Platinum Pro 75K EQMs and $9K EQDs (old requirements). Given that at the very minimum 1/3 of most business travel is essentially lost this year I just don't see how many more people qualify on the new thresholds.
When I stopped travelling in March I was at $3475 EQDs and just over 25K EQMs. The amount of different events cancelled as far out as October for this year will severely impact my chances of getting anywhere near the new EXP requirements. Even if things opened up say June 1, I don't see myself getting out and travelling for business. I also expect the EQD portion to be extremely difficult given the low fares and lack of international travel.
I suppose there may be a few who are able to take advantage of this but I suspect 90+% of travelers are going to take the extension and start focusing on travel again in 2021.
When I stopped travelling in March I was at $3475 EQDs and just over 25K EQMs. The amount of different events cancelled as far out as October for this year will severely impact my chances of getting anywhere near the new EXP requirements. Even if things opened up say June 1, I don't see myself getting out and travelling for business. I also expect the EQD portion to be extremely difficult given the low fares and lack of international travel.
I suppose there may be a few who are able to take advantage of this but I suspect 90+% of travelers are going to take the extension and start focusing on travel again in 2021.
Not to mention, one of the biggest mileage earnings is international travel, which is all but shut down and may continue even beyond what happens domestically, both for leisure and business. The most effected international countries are the ones probably most frequented by US business travelers, Japan (foreigner ban), South Korea, England, Israel and China.
Apr 14, 2020, 10:57 am
#103
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sun Prairie, WI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, HH Diamond, National Executive
Posts: 1,786
Not to mention, one of the biggest mileage earnings is international travel, which is all but shut down and may continue even beyond what happens domestically, both for leisure and business. The most effected international countries are the ones probably most frequented by US business travelers, Japan (foreigner ban), South Korea, England, Israel and China.
Apr 14, 2020, 11:53 am
#104
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,013
so the really only reason to try to re-qualify for EXP this year under the new reduced thresholds would be to snag 4 SWU's otherwise just wait it out for a full qualifying year and hope it gets better out there (while enjoying your extended EXP status).
My flying came to an abrupt end on 3/1 and I stand at 35K EQM and $4K EQD. I shouldn't have a problem re-qualifying, knock on wood.
My flying came to an abrupt end on 3/1 and I stand at 35K EQM and $4K EQD. I shouldn't have a problem re-qualifying, knock on wood.
Apr 14, 2020, 11:58 am
#105
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
My take is that some of business travel will be replaced by virtue means at least over the next few months. Discretionary business travel for many is toast not just for health but economic reasons. Business travel based upon generating revenue will probably recover really quickly as companies will be starved for sales and profits. Leisure travel is a big wide unknown. It could collapse to something we'd (and the airline) never imagined. I doubt it will resume quickly and to what it was like pre March.
For any of you that haven't traveled get ready for schedules that will be nothing but seemingly bizarre. Flight options will be few and connections could be long (count yourself lucky if you have access to the AC). It's a new world of flying. Gone will be 6-10 frequencies a day from hub/hub, hub/large station .
For any of you that haven't traveled get ready for schedules that will be nothing but seemingly bizarre. Flight options will be few and connections could be long (count yourself lucky if you have access to the AC). It's a new world of flying. Gone will be 6-10 frequencies a day from hub/hub, hub/large station .