AA lowest cost for maximum EQM
Jan 2, 2021, 7:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Delta Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Clear
Posts: 99
AA lowest cost for maximum EQM
Now that 2021 is here and it is time to try to hit AA Executive Platinum again, the good news is that it is only 80,000 EQM and 12,000 EQD
Question:
What is the lowest cost (preferably involving R/T out of South Florida) for the maximum amount of EQM?
Are there any strategies to hitting EQD other than paying for tickets and getting the Barclay EQD + EQM credit card bonus?
For example: MIA-DXB R/T for mid-April is around $2,492 for Business class generating 31,380 EQM = $.079/EQM
I prefer a few longer flights than multiple shorter ones as this is something I may do if I find a sweet-spot in the AA system just to guarantee hitting the 80k/$12k mark.
Question:
What is the lowest cost (preferably involving R/T out of South Florida) for the maximum amount of EQM?
Are there any strategies to hitting EQD other than paying for tickets and getting the Barclay EQD + EQM credit card bonus?
For example: MIA-DXB R/T for mid-April is around $2,492 for Business class generating 31,380 EQM = $.079/EQM
I prefer a few longer flights than multiple shorter ones as this is something I may do if I find a sweet-spot in the AA system just to guarantee hitting the 80k/$12k mark.
Jan 2, 2021, 8:05 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EP, AA AC
Posts: 4,268
Jan 2, 2021, 8:45 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Delta Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Clear
Posts: 99
With 2,000 EQD from 2020 rollover and anticipated 3,000 from credit card bonus and an upcoming trip for $1,000, I am already 1/2 way to 12k EQD and 30k EQM of the 80k EQM needed miles so far.
I have always wanted to go to Dubai and once covid settles down, then that is a great way to visit a new place and generate a ton of EQM.
Jan 2, 2021, 11:41 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BLR
Programs: AA - EXP, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, UK - Gold
Posts: 1,224
Jan 3, 2021, 1:02 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Asia-Pacific
Programs: AA PPRO, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 121
Per your post title, (max EQM for lowest cost) I recently flew LAS-HNL (via DFW)... 4,839 EQM / 84 EQD... I would assume this is hard to beat? ++ Bonus with upgrade on both segments, lie-flat seat (787 & 777)
That fare seems to be long gone now... if I recall MCO-HNL wasn't that much more when I was searching a month ago.
That fare seems to be long gone now... if I recall MCO-HNL wasn't that much more when I was searching a month ago.
Jan 3, 2021, 4:10 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,528
Jan 3, 2021, 5:45 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,816
If you want EQMs, look at some mileage runs to LAX. There were some fares r/t in the $140 range recently. Fly on some of the 777 aircraft and you've got a nice little trip. $0.03 a mile.
Jan 3, 2021, 8:00 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Delta Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Clear
Posts: 99
I have boon on that route many times, I personally LOVE the 777 layflat seats and wish EVERY AA flight had them!!!
Jan 3, 2021, 8:37 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,430
Of course, the other problem is assuming that air travel will recover in the second half of 2021. (I have already discounted much going on until June)
If that does not happen, options for obtaining $12K in spend is going to be very difficult given the current fares, and the limitations in international travel due to the infection.
What I am hoping for is a further relaxation in requirements for status as the year progresses.
If AA didn't have the exception of credit card spend eliminating EQD for plat pro, I wouldn't have a prayer of making the spend requirement in the current virus infected environment.
If that does not happen, options for obtaining $12K in spend is going to be very difficult given the current fares, and the limitations in international travel due to the infection.
What I am hoping for is a further relaxation in requirements for status as the year progresses.
If AA didn't have the exception of credit card spend eliminating EQD for plat pro, I wouldn't have a prayer of making the spend requirement in the current virus infected environment.
Jan 3, 2021, 9:52 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,811
I think one of the best avenues to getting the most bang for you buck on EQD's is special/partner fares and premium economy. I am seeing fares of about $1200 for P from WAS to BKK which is about $4,000 calculated by distance (.20 x 20,000). I am assuming AA Vacations still post as special fares but that may have changed so the "special fares" avenue may have dried up. I will likely just fly business with some partners and stick with Plat Pro given that level gets Emerald status next year.
Jan 3, 2021, 11:32 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,528
FYI for Plat Pro and lower, in case you're unaware, AA is currently offering an EQD waiver if you spend $30,000 on a cobranded card.
Jan 3, 2021, 12:22 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,811
Jan 3, 2021, 4:17 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
I think one of the best avenues to getting the most bang for you buck on EQD's is special/partner fares and premium economy. I am seeing fares of about $1200 for P from WAS to BKK which is about $4,000 calculated by distance (.20 x 20,000). I am assuming AA Vacations still post as special fares but that may have changed so the "special fares" avenue may have dried up.
Last edited by NYC Flyer; Jan 3, 2021 at 4:18 pm Reason: clarification
Jan 3, 2021, 7:29 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Wanting First. Buying First.
Programs: Lifetime Executive Diamond Platinum VIP with Braniff, Eastern, Midway, National & Pan Am
Posts: 17,483
Of course, the other problem is assuming that air travel will recover in the second half of 2021. (I have already discounted much going on until June)
If that does not happen, options for obtaining $12K in spend is going to be very difficult given the current fares, and the limitations in international travel due to the infection.
What I am hoping for is a further relaxation in requirements for status as the year progresses.
If AA didn't have the exception of credit card spend eliminating EQD for plat pro, I wouldn't have a prayer of making the spend requirement in the current virus infected environment.
If that does not happen, options for obtaining $12K in spend is going to be very difficult given the current fares, and the limitations in international travel due to the infection.
What I am hoping for is a further relaxation in requirements for status as the year progresses.
If AA didn't have the exception of credit card spend eliminating EQD for plat pro, I wouldn't have a prayer of making the spend requirement in the current virus infected environment.
about not qualifying for a status you won't be able to use anyway?The lower qualification requirements + rollover from 4Q20 mean I very well might qualify for Plat Pro or EXP this year depending on how travel recovers. And I might not even notice or care about crossing those thresholds. If I make EXP the economy will have recovered enough to where demand is back and there's no guarantee of domestic upgrades thus I will still have to buy F when I want F. I will not sit in Y on a long-haul international flight under any circumstances so SWUs are of pretty limited value to me unless AA starts to make generous upgrade inventory available. And if they're smart, why would they?