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 9, 2022, 6:35 am
#2866
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PP, DL PM
Posts: 2,086
Use an AA card 
On a personal note, my health and car insurance are 800 a year. That's it. Unfortunately don't have 10k in utilities like some of you!
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!
On a personal note, my health and car insurance are 800 a year. That's it. Unfortunately don't have 10k in utilities like some of you!
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!
Mar 9, 2022, 7:44 am
#2867
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
And now I just had another VCG purchase track at 4x the actual spend. This would be great if the miles would actually post 🤣
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?
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?
Cheers.
Mar 9, 2022, 7:59 am
#2868
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,389
And now I just had another VCG purchase track at 4x the actual spend. This would be great if the miles would actually post 🤣
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?
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?
Thanks for he update on this.I'm seeing that, in general, things that one might think of, objectively, as questionable for LP (like using cash to buy cash, for example) are appearing to be delayed more. Could be nothing. Could be a harbinger of changes. I'm going o monitor what happens to all y'all before I go for any more VGC attempts. Good luck!
Cheers.
Cheers.
Mar 9, 2022, 8:28 am
#2869
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669
I have a similar situation, with a smaller transaction that occurred after a larger transaction having already moved to pending...(Interestingly, the smaller transaction counted for the 1k bonus miles form the portal, but not the larger one). This tells me that they may be scrutinizing larger transactions...However, I have received the "your order has been tracked" confirmation email and it's only been a couple of days.
Mar 9, 2022, 8:35 am
#2870
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
250VGC - PENDING
250VGC - PENDING
500VGC (250x2) - tracked but not pending
350PetSmart - PENDING
Not sure why that one transaction isn't moving to PENDING.
Mar 9, 2022, 8:48 am
#2871
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669
Similar to mine...My suspicion is that any purchases of over $500 in VGCs are being delayed (or worse)....we have 3 data points so far...Possibly scrutinized for MS?
Last edited by nk15; Mar 9, 2022 at 9:28 am
Mar 9, 2022, 9:48 am
#2872
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
I actually purchased it all in one day, just different transactions.
1 250VGC
1 250VGC
2 250VGC's
So if we purchase them separately, we don't get flagged? I have no problem purchasing them separately each time if that's what's required but it would be good to know in advance.
Mar 9, 2022, 9:59 am
#2873
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Programs: AA, HH, UA, Amtrak
Posts: 270
giftcards.com is still offering 3 miles per dollar on the shopping portal. The fees are $6 for a $250 virtual VGC (only usable online and over the phone -- "card not present" transactions).
So you are paying $6 in fees for 768 miles; that's 128 miles per dollar, plus whatever you use to actually make the purchase. If you use these VGC for purchases that would others only earn you 1 mile or point per dollar then the 768 portal miles are just extra, in exchange for the $6 fee. The only issue is that it's $2k/month maximum.
I used them for my health insurance premiums, monthly utility bills, and to pay some medical bills last month. I plan on doing the same this month.
So you are paying $6 in fees for 768 miles; that's 128 miles per dollar, plus whatever you use to actually make the purchase. If you use these VGC for purchases that would others only earn you 1 mile or point per dollar then the 768 portal miles are just extra, in exchange for the $6 fee. The only issue is that it's $2k/month maximum.
I used them for my health insurance premiums, monthly utility bills, and to pay some medical bills last month. I plan on doing the same this month.
Mar 9, 2022, 10:01 am
#2874
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669
Which is so obnoxious.
I actually purchased it all in one day, just different transactions.
1 250VGC
1 250VGC
2 250VGC's
So if we purchase them separately, we don't get flagged? I have no problem purchasing them separately each time if that's what's required but it would be good to know in advance.
I actually purchased it all in one day, just different transactions.
1 250VGC
1 250VGC
2 250VGC's
So if we purchase them separately, we don't get flagged? I have no problem purchasing them separately each time if that's what's required but it would be good to know in advance.
But it is a guess based on limited data. Probably just a delay though...
Mar 9, 2022, 10:03 am
#2875
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
With certain purchases, you could potentially multiply this but only when you are sure and about to use it. That would be by going to the Shopping portal again, then visiting Groupon.com (5 miles or LPs/$). Once inside Groupon, you can buy certain restaurants, spa services, even certain electronics and some other purchases. ( I personally don't trust oil change stuff from groupon as it is only jiffy lube etc). I have only used Groupon directly from the shopping portal before but started buyingthe VGC just this month, have used it one restaurant purchase (a place that is not on dining) and one other local spa item purchase. Havent seen the LPs post yet. Worth checking it out.
High value items like getaways (which we've also done) are only 4LP/$.
Cheers.
Mar 9, 2022, 11:18 am
#2876
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Programs: AA, HH, UA, Amtrak
Posts: 270
General suggestion for VGC (Virtual gift cards, I assume?): I use a password manager service to store them as "Payment cards". You could also add these cards (give them unique nicknames) to paypal wallet and then use the paypal to pay for things online. I also track the actual value on giftcards.com with an account I created. I don't plan on doing it too much as I feel like my mental battery drains faster doing all this back and forth balance tracking. Those "subscription" cooking models with a proper google calendar reminder to cancel could be a decent way to net a few thou LPs. Using services like Google password, or Lastpass, or Norton vault etc can help managing these securely for a the short time we hold it.
Otherwise, I am hoping to earn most of my LPs from flights + hotels ( I think the high value hotel LPs if they stick around for sometime maybe the decent way to earn non-flight LPs but part of the same travel experience). Main reason I became active again on FT is because I enjoyed flying JAL-J from DEL-HND-JFK (I absolutely did not enjoy flying coach JFK-DEL 3 weeks prior on AA) and wanted to figure out how to fly business more while not throwing money around. I do enjoy flying (and trains but thats another topic) so hope to fly more and fly in comfort when possible
Otherwise, I am hoping to earn most of my LPs from flights + hotels ( I think the high value hotel LPs if they stick around for sometime maybe the decent way to earn non-flight LPs but part of the same travel experience). Main reason I became active again on FT is because I enjoyed flying JAL-J from DEL-HND-JFK (I absolutely did not enjoy flying coach JFK-DEL 3 weeks prior on AA) and wanted to figure out how to fly business more while not throwing money around. I do enjoy flying (and trains but thats another topic) so hope to fly more and fly in comfort when possible
Mar 9, 2022, 11:39 am
#2877
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Still, I'll try buying my next ones 1 at a time and see if that fixes the tracking issue. I'm a little surprised that no one else is seeing this issue though.
EDIT: Ok now I see the pattern; I don't know how I missed this before.
The orders where I bought 1 VGC tracked properly. The orders where I bought 2 tracked at 2x total spend (as if I bought 4). The order where I bought 3 VGC tracked at 3x spend (as if I bought 9). The order where I bought 4 tracked at 4x (as if I bought 16). So, 1x going forward...
This is not scrutiny on their end; it's stupidity. Someone wrote some bad code.
Is no one else seeing this? Go to your store visits and look at the dollar amount of the purchase.
Last edited by VegasGambler; Mar 9, 2022 at 11:50 am
Mar 9, 2022, 12:07 pm
#2878
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669
Mine are not being flagged; they are tracking for the wrong amount. That is preventing them from posting. The ones that tracked with the right amount were fine.
Still, I'll try buying my next ones 1 at a time and see if that fixes the tracking issue. I'm a little surprised that no one else is seeing this issue though.
EDIT: Ok now I see the pattern; I don't know how I missed this before.
The orders where I bought 1 VGC tracked properly. The orders where I bought 2 tracked at 2x total spend (as if I bought 4). The order where I bought 3 VGC tracked at 3x spend (as if I bought 9). The order where I bought 4 tracked at 4x (as if I bought 16). So, 1x going forward...
This is not scrutiny on their end; it's stupidity. Someone wrote some bad code.
Is no one else seeing this? Go to your store visits and look at the dollar amount of the purchase.
Still, I'll try buying my next ones 1 at a time and see if that fixes the tracking issue. I'm a little surprised that no one else is seeing this issue though.
EDIT: Ok now I see the pattern; I don't know how I missed this before.
The orders where I bought 1 VGC tracked properly. The orders where I bought 2 tracked at 2x total spend (as if I bought 4). The order where I bought 3 VGC tracked at 3x spend (as if I bought 9). The order where I bought 4 tracked at 4x (as if I bought 16). So, 1x going forward...
This is not scrutiny on their end; it's stupidity. Someone wrote some bad code.
Is no one else seeing this? Go to your store visits and look at the dollar amount of the purchase.
But you are correct that the issue may be with purchasing more than 1 card at the time, and not the actual amount (but these issues just correlate/coincide, as two cards together will probably push you over $500). It may make more sense also that it is a bad code issue, rather than flagging for scrutiny.
Last edited by nk15; Mar 9, 2022 at 12:13 pm
Mar 9, 2022, 12:56 pm
#2879
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
Completing a stay is not relevant, since you would have no interaction with either BookAAHotels or RocketMiles once you've made the reservation, except in the event of a problem. I also went through a cancellation with BookAAHotels and the experience was a lot smoother than with RocketMiles with the rep seemingly more knowledgeable and helpful. Of course it's a very small sample and it may well be that both "companies" use the same group of agents, given that they're under the same ownership.
Regards
Mar 9, 2022, 1:03 pm
#2880
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Is there a way to "add" cards to your account so you can have a list of them and check your balances without having to type in the card number every time?
Right now I have a list of them on the back of an envelope (super high tech)