Originally Posted by MiamiBill (Post 33675833)

I don't think anyone spending $200k per year on a credit card spend wants to steal an upgrade as they will probably just pay for FC tickets and not play the game

Originally Posted by Mr. BoH (Post 33675878)

Are you claiming that flying thousands of miles for no purpose other than elite status is good for the environment? I'll grant you it is way way (way) down on the list of problems. But in no way a good thing at the margin.

Originally Posted by enviroian (Post 33676003)

where does it state you get 11 loyalty points per dollar spent on flights as an EXP?

Originally Posted by ijgordon (Post 33675954)

I mean the incentive to fly the premium cabin is...to fly the premium cabin. :idea:
And for AA marketed vs. partners, you have to do the math. Deep discount J will generally earn more on partners, but that was always the same before this as it related to RDMs and EQDs. A $5k+ J ticket will earn much more via AA.
This new system is essentially just like RDMs when flying.

Originally Posted by aaupgrade (Post 33675960)

Go to Earn Miles | Partner Airlines | American Airlines to see earning on American Airlines (I know it's stupid). Shortcut here: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...n-airlines.jsp

Originally Posted by enviroian (Post 33676003)

where does it state you get 11 loyalty points per dollar spent on flights as an EXP?

Originally Posted by obunewbie17 (Post 33675652)

Everyone has acknowledged CC spend being the big winner here. But just know that if Costco ever accepts Mastercard...that's when you'll have a flood of new elites. With my family's grocery bill, I'd probably hit some level of status just off of my grocery bills.

Originally Posted by LovePrunes (Post 33676002)

Karen shouldn't really be deciding If someone's trip is worthwhile

Originally Posted by olouie (Post 33675511)

That’s only if you are current EXP. For new member it’s $27000 EQD ish. So if you fall of the wagon it’s going to be rough if earning by flying. But yeah the CC spend counting helps but takes away from any illusion that this is a FFP. It’s just a cash gray program for spenders now.

Originally Posted by carlosdca (Post 33675936)

For most non-US flyers, it really does not make much sense to chase elite status with a US based FF program for several reasons.
Sure, there are some non-US based folks that have elite status with AA but their numbers are probably a very very small fraction of the elite universe.
(I myself am US based but got BA status one year, just because it made sense then due to a number of particular circumstances)

I don't think the reason is to get them out of elite status. The AA cards abroad are issued by different entities or subsidiaries of Citi for example, not the same bank.
There are behind the scene agreements between Citi and AA that probably don't apply to the subsidiaries in other countries and AA does not care anyway about abroad elites because there are not a lot and don't impact much the bottom line.

Originally Posted by hmv (Post 33676068)

While initially being a bit skeptic, I am finding some sweet spots now in the new program. As Platinum I would need 3 annual trips of 12.500 miles flying per trip on for instance BA, in premium economy, to make it to my new platinum status. Flying J would give me 25% more earnings, however, tickets in J are costing more than 25% compared to premium economy. Am I correct with these calculations?