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
Apr 3, 2022, 10:31 am
#3001
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,551
There may be issues using them to buy money orders. I say "may be" because there were definitely issues about 2-3 years ago, and I strongly suspect there still are but I have no first-hand experience.
However, otherwise they generally work just fine. I have mostly used them so far to pay my heath insurance premium, with no issues. Of course there's a difference between the physical cards and the virtual cards. Of course it's a question of who accepts credit cards, period, and also whether you want to deal with small bills, thus having to track the balance on each card and ending with cards with small values.
I think the cards can be coded as debit cards by setting a PIN. In that case, they MIGHT work with services such as Cashapp and Venmo. I may give that a try.
However, otherwise they generally work just fine. I have mostly used them so far to pay my heath insurance premium, with no issues. Of course there's a difference between the physical cards and the virtual cards. Of course it's a question of who accepts credit cards, period, and also whether you want to deal with small bills, thus having to track the balance on each card and ending with cards with small values.
I think the cards can be coded as debit cards by setting a PIN. In that case, they MIGHT work with services such as Cashapp and Venmo. I may give that a try.
Apr 3, 2022, 10:50 am
#3002
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,314
for you guys who want to get into manufactured spending using gift cards, look in the manufactured spending forum. there's a lot more info there, and full of ideas, lessons learned, etc.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manu...-spending-719/
way better posting there for this instead of reinventing the wheel here.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manu...-spending-719/
way better posting there for this instead of reinventing the wheel here.
Apr 3, 2022, 11:19 am
#3003
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
There may be issues using them to buy money orders. I say "may be" because there were definitely issues about 2-3 years ago, and I strongly suspect there still are but I have no first-hand experience.
However, otherwise they generally work just fine. I have mostly used them so far to pay my heath insurance premium, with no issues. Of course there's a difference between the physical cards and the virtual cards. Of course it's a question of who accepts credit cards, period, and also whether you want to deal with small bills, thus having to track the balance on each card and ending with cards with small values.
I think the cards can be coded as debit cards by setting a PIN. In that case, they MIGHT work with services such as Cashapp and Venmo. I may give that a try.
However, otherwise they generally work just fine. I have mostly used them so far to pay my heath insurance premium, with no issues. Of course there's a difference between the physical cards and the virtual cards. Of course it's a question of who accepts credit cards, period, and also whether you want to deal with small bills, thus having to track the balance on each card and ending with cards with small values.
I think the cards can be coded as debit cards by setting a PIN. In that case, they MIGHT work with services such as Cashapp and Venmo. I may give that a try.
Someone else reported trying to use them for Venmo (I think) and being declined. The payment processor can tell that they are prepaid
Apr 3, 2022, 11:23 am
#3004
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: NYC
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, GHA Titanium, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 283
Correct
See the IATA Ticketing Handbook or ATPCO glossary of industry terms. The carrier whose code appears on the flight coupon is the marketing carrier.
BA-issued tickets for AA-coded flights would still be "AA marketed". Whether AA intends to extend the segment qualification to partner issued awards still remains to be seen.
See the IATA Ticketing Handbook or ATPCO glossary of industry terms. The carrier whose code appears on the flight coupon is the marketing carrier.
BA-issued tickets for AA-coded flights would still be "AA marketed". Whether AA intends to extend the segment qualification to partner issued awards still remains to be seen.
I booked an AA-operated US domestic flight just now using BA Avios. Ticket stock begins with 125. Has there been a consensus as to whether an AA-operated flight segment booked as a partner award will count towards the 30 qualifying flight segments?
Apr 3, 2022, 2:13 pm
#3005
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
1-Awarding segments for tickets issued on OA ticket stock involves greater complexity vs. simply tracking AA/001 tickets. I don't think AA has the desire or intiative to extend the accounting of these segments to OA-issued awards.
2-IIRC, the stated rules suggest that benefits flying AA are limited to those one is entitled based on status in the issuing partner's program. Of course, I am sure there are plenty of examples on FT where an AAdvantage number was entered instead of the issuing carrier's, and AAdvantage elite benefits were extended.
Last edited by NYC Flyer; Apr 3, 2022 at 2:19 pm Reason: amplification
Apr 3, 2022, 2:28 pm
#3006
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I am not chasing LPs, so I will suggest others chime in too. However, I suspect "American-marketed" here is limited to AAdvantage program award tickets for two reasons:
1-Awarding segments for tickets issued on OA ticket stock involves greater complexity vs. simply tracking AA/001 tickets. I don't think AA has the desire or intiative to extend the accounting of these segments to OA-issued awards.
2-IIRC, the stated rules suggest that benefits flying AA are limited to those one is entitled based on status in the issuing partner's program. Of course, I am sure there are plenty of examples on FT where an AAdvantage number was entered instead of the issuing carrier's, and AAdvantage elite benefits were extended.
1-Awarding segments for tickets issued on OA ticket stock involves greater complexity vs. simply tracking AA/001 tickets. I don't think AA has the desire or intiative to extend the accounting of these segments to OA-issued awards.
2-IIRC, the stated rules suggest that benefits flying AA are limited to those one is entitled based on status in the issuing partner's program. Of course, I am sure there are plenty of examples on FT where an AAdvantage number was entered instead of the issuing carrier's, and AAdvantage elite benefits were extended.
Apr 3, 2022, 2:45 pm
#3007
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
I'll add that TPG reported the following after speaking with an AA managing director back in October. Whether this precise point was confirmed with AA is anyone's guess.
This only includes AAdvantage award segments for travel on American — partner-issued tickets or awards on partner airlines will not count towards this threshold. Note that you won’t earn any redeemable AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points from award tickets.
Last edited by NYC Flyer; Apr 3, 2022 at 2:49 pm Reason: correction
Apr 3, 2022, 4:51 pm
#3008
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: NYC
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, GHA Titanium, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 283
Thanks NYC Flyer ! Appreciate the layout. I'll need to look into how to enter my AA # instead of my BA. But on the segments, I suppose I'll exclude them from my planning for Plat Pro next year.
Apr 3, 2022, 7:30 pm
#3009
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
The the original roll-out website indicated that LP-qualifying segments counted, plus "American-marketed award travel".
I'll add that TPG reported the following after speaking with an AA managing director back in October. Whether this precise point was confirmed with AA is anyone's guess.
This only includes AAdvantage award segments for travel on American — partner-issued tickets or awards on partner airlines will not count towards this threshold. Note that you won’t earn any redeemable AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points from award tickets.
I'll add that TPG reported the following after speaking with an AA managing director back in October. Whether this precise point was confirmed with AA is anyone's guess.
This only includes AAdvantage award segments for travel on American — partner-issued tickets or awards on partner airlines will not count towards this threshold. Note that you won’t earn any redeemable AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points from award tickets.
Oh well, it was nice while it lasted! I was hoping to meet the segment threshold requirement just flying JL domestic flights, but at least I got a decent head start (assuming the 7 segments aren't clawed back at some point).
-FlyerBeek
Apr 5, 2022, 7:09 am
#3010
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, 1MM, Bonsai Plat-Pro, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 380
Status Term length question
Taken from the Advantage page
- "For example, in 2023, your counter will restart on March 1, 2023, and run through February 29, 2024.
- The membership year (when your status is valid) takes effect the date you qualify, or April 1 (whichever comes first) and will be valid through March 31."
Apr 5, 2022, 7:27 am
#3011
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Between ORD and MKE
Programs: AA ExecPlat; UA 1K
Posts: 147
Taken from the Advantage page
- "For example, in 2023, your counter will restart on March 1, 2023, and run through February 29, 2024.
- The membership year (when your status is valid) takes effect the date you qualify, or April 1 (whichever comes first) and will be valid through March 31."
Apr 5, 2022, 7:52 am
#3012
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Houston , TX
Programs: Platinum Pro. .Hilton Honors Gold,
Posts: 678
I’m projecting I’ll hit 88K LPs and be platinum in 2023. Is it even worth it ? Thinking 🤔
Outside of extra leg room in main cabin , decent upgrade chances on Europe or Asia flights. Being located in an out station I think platinum can still clear an upgrade at a really early hour or late night flights with no connections or people not wanting to land in Houston at midnight.
Outside of extra leg room in main cabin , decent upgrade chances on Europe or Asia flights. Being located in an out station I think platinum can still clear an upgrade at a really early hour or late night flights with no connections or people not wanting to land in Houston at midnight.
Apr 5, 2022, 8:06 am
#3013
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,389
Taken from the Advantage page
- "For example, in 2023, your counter will restart on March 1, 2023, and run through February 29, 2024.
- The membership year (when your status is valid) takes effect the date you qualify, or April 1 (whichever comes first) and will be valid through March 31."
Apr 5, 2022, 9:08 am
#3014
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, 1MM, Bonsai Plat-Pro, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 380
Apr 5, 2022, 9:13 am
#3015
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,816
I just crossed 40,000 miles - with a big slug of travel coming up. Given airfares, PPRO will be in easy reach and am now assessing if EXP is possible. I'm running 3 conferences this year and the credit card is being whipped out with frequency.