Dec 17, 2021, 11:25 am
Last edit by: jbeckett
American Airlines announced that starting in 2022, the way to earn Elite status has changed. No more Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM), Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS), or Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD)!
Now, you can get AA Elite status by earning Loyalty Points (LPs): https://aadvantagestatus.com/?anchor...=newaadvantage
How many LPs do I need for elite status?
How do I earn LPs?
Flying
What you get for redeemable miles (RDM) is what you'll get for LPs.
AA and B6 flights:
No status: 5 LPs per $ spent in base fare plus fees (excludes taxes)
Gold: 7 LPs per $
Platinum: 8 LPs per $
Plat Pro: 9 LPs per $
EXP: 11 LPs per $
Partner flights (other than B6):
Distance flown x accrual rate* x (1 + cabin bonus + elite bonus**)
* Certain discount fares earn less than 100% of miles flown. In those cases, the discounted accrual rate (0% to 75% depending on the partner and the fare class) should be applied to the flown miles. Otherwise, the accrual rate is 100%. If there is a cabin bonus, it should not be added to the accrual rate; it is applied separately within the parentheses. The accrual rate can never be more than 100%.
** 40% for GLD, 60% for PLT, 80% for PRO, 120% for EXP.
So for example, an EXP on a 5000-mile flight on QR booked in J would earn 5000 x 100% x (1 + 25% + 120%) = 5000 x 1 x 2.45 = 12250 LPs.
A PLT on the same flight booked in P would earn 5000 x 75% x (1 + 0% + 60%) = 5000 x .75 x 1.6 = 6000 LPs.
Earning chart for QR
Here's a great online LP calculator:
https://lpcalculator.com/#/calculator/
AAdvantage non-flying partners:
Generally, 1 LP per base mile earned. But in many cases you can earn large bonuses that post as base miles; see link here: https://exploreamerican.com/newaadva...nloyaltypoints
There are differences among how these programs work, ranging from minor to significant, in terms of awarding LPs. You will need to skim through the thread as there are too many different promo offers to address here. But here are the popular ones:
BookAAHotels and RocketMiles: You can earn large mileage bonuses here, separated into "base" miles and "promo" miles by the portals. For now they are all posting as base miles on aa.com, but there is a suspicion that the "promo" miles may start posting as bonus miles (and so would not count as LP). You don't even have to actually check in or stay at the hotel as long as you pay for the stay.
SimplyMiles: You must link a MasterCard to the account. Then you can add their promos to your card by activating the offers. When you accept one of their offers and then pay for it using your linked card, you will get the associated miles which currently post as base miles on aa.com.
AAdvantage eShopping: Once you click through the AAdvantage eShopping portal to a vendor offer and make a purchase, you will eventually get the associated miles posted to your AAdvantage account as both redeemable miles and Loyalty Points. If the merchant advertises an increase in the miles per dollar spent, you'll earn the higher amount in both redeemable miles and an equal number of Loyalty Points. The same applies if a merchant advertises a higher fixed amount per purchase, rather than a per dollar amount. Examples of this would appear on the portal as, "Extra miles. Was 1 mile/$. Now earn 3 miles/$" or "Extra miles. Was up to 3700 miles. Now up to 6200 miles." However, if the website advertises a "Limited-time bonus offer" for "bonus miles" after meeting a spending threshold, that bonus will only post as redeemable miles and not Loyalty Points. If a bonus is offered for some site-wide activity such as 1000 miles for installing an extension, or 500 miles for enrolling in the portal, or 2000 miles for meeting a spending threshold across multiple merchants, the bonus will only post as redeemable miles and not Loyalty Points.
(If a vendor has offers with both SimplyMiles and eShopping, activate the offer on SimplyMiles first and then make the purchase through eShopping with the MasterCard linked to your SimplyMiles account. Apparently that you can get a double-dip. You can also get a double-dip by stacking the promos with discount offers from your credit card issuers, basically reducing the cost to you.
Booking directly with hotels, car rental companies, etc.: The picture here is a bit unclear but it appears that if you book with a hotel that offers 5x miles, only 1 mile will post as base and the rest as bonus.
Credit card spend:
1 LP per $ spent on an AA branded card (except for one card which earns 0.50 LP per $ and several non-US cards which earn 2 LP per $). See the list of cards, and a lot more small print here: https://creditcards.aa.com/aadvantag...hange_ExecCard
What about spending bonuses?
E.g., your card gives 2x miles for hotels, or 3x for AA purchases, etc etc. These do NOT count.
These bonuses count:
Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard (the $450 annual fee card that gives Admirals Club access): 10K LP bonus when hitting $40K spend for the year.
AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard: 5K LP bonus when hitting $20K spend, another 5K LP bonus when hitting $40K spend, and another 5K LP bonus when hitting $50K spend for the year.
Do miles earned at Bask Bank count?
No.
Will Loyalty Points count toward Million Miler℠ status?
No, Million Miler℠ status will still be earned the same way as today, based on miles earned from flying with American and its partners.
Now, you can get AA Elite status by earning Loyalty Points (LPs): https://aadvantagestatus.com/?anchor...=newaadvantage
How many LPs do I need for elite status?
Code:
Gold: 40K Platinum: 75K Plat Pro: 125K EXP: 200K
Flying
What you get for redeemable miles (RDM) is what you'll get for LPs.
AA and B6 flights:
No status: 5 LPs per $ spent in base fare plus fees (excludes taxes)
Gold: 7 LPs per $
Platinum: 8 LPs per $
Plat Pro: 9 LPs per $
EXP: 11 LPs per $
Partner flights (other than B6):
Distance flown x accrual rate* x (1 + cabin bonus + elite bonus**)
* Certain discount fares earn less than 100% of miles flown. In those cases, the discounted accrual rate (0% to 75% depending on the partner and the fare class) should be applied to the flown miles. Otherwise, the accrual rate is 100%. If there is a cabin bonus, it should not be added to the accrual rate; it is applied separately within the parentheses. The accrual rate can never be more than 100%.
** 40% for GLD, 60% for PLT, 80% for PRO, 120% for EXP.
So for example, an EXP on a 5000-mile flight on QR booked in J would earn 5000 x 100% x (1 + 25% + 120%) = 5000 x 1 x 2.45 = 12250 LPs.
A PLT on the same flight booked in P would earn 5000 x 75% x (1 + 0% + 60%) = 5000 x .75 x 1.6 = 6000 LPs.
Earning chart for QR
Here's a great online LP calculator:
https://lpcalculator.com/#/calculator/
AAdvantage non-flying partners:
Generally, 1 LP per base mile earned. But in many cases you can earn large bonuses that post as base miles; see link here: https://exploreamerican.com/newaadva...nloyaltypoints
There are differences among how these programs work, ranging from minor to significant, in terms of awarding LPs. You will need to skim through the thread as there are too many different promo offers to address here. But here are the popular ones:
BookAAHotels and RocketMiles: You can earn large mileage bonuses here, separated into "base" miles and "promo" miles by the portals. For now they are all posting as base miles on aa.com, but there is a suspicion that the "promo" miles may start posting as bonus miles (and so would not count as LP). You don't even have to actually check in or stay at the hotel as long as you pay for the stay.
SimplyMiles: You must link a MasterCard to the account. Then you can add their promos to your card by activating the offers. When you accept one of their offers and then pay for it using your linked card, you will get the associated miles which currently post as base miles on aa.com.
AAdvantage eShopping: Once you click through the AAdvantage eShopping portal to a vendor offer and make a purchase, you will eventually get the associated miles posted to your AAdvantage account as both redeemable miles and Loyalty Points. If the merchant advertises an increase in the miles per dollar spent, you'll earn the higher amount in both redeemable miles and an equal number of Loyalty Points. The same applies if a merchant advertises a higher fixed amount per purchase, rather than a per dollar amount. Examples of this would appear on the portal as, "Extra miles. Was 1 mile/$. Now earn 3 miles/$" or "Extra miles. Was up to 3700 miles. Now up to 6200 miles." However, if the website advertises a "Limited-time bonus offer" for "bonus miles" after meeting a spending threshold, that bonus will only post as redeemable miles and not Loyalty Points. If a bonus is offered for some site-wide activity such as 1000 miles for installing an extension, or 500 miles for enrolling in the portal, or 2000 miles for meeting a spending threshold across multiple merchants, the bonus will only post as redeemable miles and not Loyalty Points.
- A separate thread exists to discuss the AAdvantage eShopping portal
- Another thread exists to discuss using the portal for a particular merchant, giftcards.com
- For additional questions about buying and using gift cards, refer to the separate Manufactured Spending forum.
(If a vendor has offers with both SimplyMiles and eShopping, activate the offer on SimplyMiles first and then make the purchase through eShopping with the MasterCard linked to your SimplyMiles account. Apparently that you can get a double-dip. You can also get a double-dip by stacking the promos with discount offers from your credit card issuers, basically reducing the cost to you.
Booking directly with hotels, car rental companies, etc.: The picture here is a bit unclear but it appears that if you book with a hotel that offers 5x miles, only 1 mile will post as base and the rest as bonus.
Credit card spend:
1 LP per $ spent on an AA branded card (except for one card which earns 0.50 LP per $ and several non-US cards which earn 2 LP per $). See the list of cards, and a lot more small print here: https://creditcards.aa.com/aadvantag...hange_ExecCard
What about spending bonuses?
E.g., your card gives 2x miles for hotels, or 3x for AA purchases, etc etc. These do NOT count.
These bonuses count:
Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard (the $450 annual fee card that gives Admirals Club access): 10K LP bonus when hitting $40K spend for the year.
AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard: 5K LP bonus when hitting $20K spend, another 5K LP bonus when hitting $40K spend, and another 5K LP bonus when hitting $50K spend for the year.
Do miles earned at Bask Bank count?
No.
Will Loyalty Points count toward Million Miler℠ status?
No, Million Miler℠ status will still be earned the same way as today, based on miles earned from flying with American and its partners.
Loyalty Points discussion/questions - From 2022 now used for determining elite status
Mar 7, 2022, 6:06 pm
#2851
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,389
Same card. Went through fine the second time and I downloaded the GCs.
Mar 8, 2022, 8:05 am
#2852
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
Thanks for the excellent summary vasantn, very helpful.
I am a little curious how you reached this particularly conclusion, re: customer service, given that it seems you haven't actually completed a stay with RM? Is your conclusion that BAAH has better customer service than RM based solely on the cancellation process with RM? (it seems that would be the only direct customer experience you'd have with them if you didn't complete a stay, correct?)
It is. Thank you.
Regards
It is. Thank you.
Regards
Mar 8, 2022, 9:12 am
#2853
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 1,335
On that note, historically we’ve put elite miles on a pedestal with valuations close to 3 cpm. However at this point with the recent changes, I’m inclined to value RDM at 1 cpp and LP at 0 cpp. AA can shove it! lol
Mar 8, 2022, 9:56 am
#2854
Join Date: Sep 2020
Programs: AA EXP, BA Gold, VS Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,947
That’s great of if you want UR points. But it doesn’t help much for Loyalty Points?
Mar 8, 2022, 10:16 am
#2855
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I think y’all are crazy. I would only consider this deal if the fee was waived! As others found out, eGC are hard to liquidate. I’d much rather do the Staples/OD GC deals (no fee) and go to FD/WM.
On that note, historically we’ve put elite miles on a pedestal with valuations close to 3 cpm. However at this point with the recent changes, I’m inclined to value RDM at 1 cpp and LP at 0 cpp. AA can shove it! lol
On that note, historically we’ve put elite miles on a pedestal with valuations close to 3 cpm. However at this point with the recent changes, I’m inclined to value RDM at 1 cpp and LP at 0 cpp. AA can shove it! lol
If you don't put any value on LP that's fine. Enjoy flying without status. Personally I put a lot of value of the free upgrades and free MCE seats I get when I don't get upgraded (theoretically, since actually my upgrade success is 100% as EXP). But I'm sure you'll be happy with a back row non reclining middle seat.
Mar 8, 2022, 10:50 am
#2856
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,389
I am a little curious how you reached this particularly conclusion, re: customer service, given that it seems you haven't actually completed a stay with RM? Is your conclusion that BAAH has better customer service than RM based solely on the cancellation process with RM? (it seems that would be the only direct customer experience you'd have with them if you didn't complete a stay, correct?)
Mar 8, 2022, 11:49 am
#2858
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Remember that the earning period for this year runs from March 2022 to Feb 2023. LP earned in Jan and Feb 2022 are the result of the double dip promo, so they show up as a separate "promotion" line item. That's why you see EQM/EQD/EQS at the bottom, and not LP -- that line item is for the qualification year that ran through the end of Feb when those metrics were still a thing.
Mar 8, 2022, 2:31 pm
#2860
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Go to the Qatar parter page on the AA web site (earn miles -> partner airlines) and look at the chart. You will need to know your booking code and distance flown. Look at your total RDM (including your elite bonus of 120% of the base miles) and that's how many LP you will earn. 1 RDM = 1 LP.
Mar 8, 2022, 2:39 pm
#2861
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
LP = distance * accrual_rate * (1 + cabin + elite).
If there are different fare codes per segment, then do it by segment and add it up.
Cheers.
Last edited by brp; Mar 8, 2022 at 2:48 pm
Mar 8, 2022, 4:40 pm
#2862
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,389
Go to the Qatar parter page on the AA web site (earn miles -> partner airlines) and look at the chart. You will need to know your booking code and distance flown. Look at your total RDM (including your elite bonus of 120% of the base miles) and that's how many LP you will earn. 1 RDM = 1 LP.
The above is correct and the really simple way to apply it is to look at the aforementioned Qatar chart, get the accrual rate and cabin bonus for the fare and plug into the formula in the Wiki
LP = distance * accrual_rate * (1 + cabin + elite).
If there are different fare codes per segment, then do it by segment and add it up.
Cheers.
LP = distance * accrual_rate * (1 + cabin + elite).
If there are different fare codes per segment, then do it by segment and add it up.
Cheers.
Mar 9, 2022, 2:19 am
#2863
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I had one visit track with 3x the spend it should have, one get cancelled (and track with 3x the attempted spend for VGC and the correct attempted spend for the store GC, and one track with 2x the correct spend. None have posted. Of course the cancelled one should not post but the other two should.
I have no doubt that I'll get the miles eventually but this seems strange. My first VGC order worked fine; the other ones have all tracked with 2x, 3x, or 4x the actual spend and as a result have not posted. Has anyone else had this issue?
Mar 9, 2022, 6:22 am
#2864
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 1,335
The gift cards are easy to liquidate. The person who found it "hard" was trying to deposit them into a bank account. I pay my bills with them.
If you don't put any value on LP that's fine. Enjoy flying without status. Personally I put a lot of value of the free upgrades and free MCE seats I get when I don't get upgraded (theoretically, since actually my upgrade success is 100% as EXP). But I'm sure you'll be happy with a back row non reclining middle seat.
If you don't put any value on LP that's fine. Enjoy flying without status. Personally I put a lot of value of the free upgrades and free MCE seats I get when I don't get upgraded (theoretically, since actually my upgrade success is 100% as EXP). But I'm sure you'll be happy with a back row non reclining middle seat.
I currently have 29k LP so fingers crossed. I’m just ticked that AA took a crowbar to Gold last week. That wouldn’t have changed my behavior Jan-Feb but a little notice would’ve been nice. I’m one of those post-pandemic people who “only” books first (awards, rarely cash) and does zero revenue flying. So that’s why I was saying LPs have zero value to me. Obviously there are some perks. I do intend to earn at least Gold going forward since I can't earn status anywhere else without flying. YMMV!