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 20, 2022, 4:16 pm
#3061
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Not sure what happened... I was certainly bracing myself for getting them clawed back, and was sort of kicking myself for having gone in so quick.
But I have seen other comments that suggest I was not alone in getting everything. This leads me to think that Motley Fool may have figured that they could get 80% of the savings (discouraging others from doing this) at virtually no cost (a couple of emails, and then letting the internet do its thing).
I would like to cancel the subscription -- the inane emails harm the beauty of my Gmail inbox.
But I have seen other comments that suggest I was not alone in getting everything. This leads me to think that Motley Fool may have figured that they could get 80% of the savings (discouraging others from doing this) at virtually no cost (a couple of emails, and then letting the internet do its thing).
I would like to cancel the subscription -- the inane emails harm the beauty of my Gmail inbox.
Apr 20, 2022, 6:14 pm
#3062
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,313
It's very unlikely that double dipping will work. In the past MF has refused to pay both (which makes sense -- why pay to acquire the same customer twice?)
Most likely you will get your amex credit but MF will refuse to pay Cartera, who won't give you any miles. Buried in the terms there is a clause that the offer cannot be combined with any other offer.
One if the bloggers (I don't remember which one) wrote an article about this. If you search you can probably find it.
On the good side MF has a fairly generous cancellation policy with full refund. So if you've already done this you haven't just wasted $50.
Most likely you will get your amex credit but MF will refuse to pay Cartera, who won't give you any miles. Buried in the terms there is a clause that the offer cannot be combined with any other offer.
One if the bloggers (I don't remember which one) wrote an article about this. If you search you can probably find it.
On the good side MF has a fairly generous cancellation policy with full refund. So if you've already done this you haven't just wasted $50.
Apr 20, 2022, 6:25 pm
#3063
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
MF is also on the simplymiles site for earning 2325 miles on $99 purchase...that's just tied to using a credit card registered with simplymiles. I have a hard time imagining that wouldn't kick in along with the eshopping miles, and get a total of 6200+2325=8525 miles and 8525 LPs, assuming you click thru properly on aa eshopping to buy the MF deal and use a ccard registered with simplymiles
Apparently they have done exactly this in previous years. Also apparently people have double dipped successfully this year, with no clawbacks yet. So maybe it will work. Then again maybe it won't. Any time you violate the terms of an offer that's the risk you are taking.
Apr 20, 2022, 7:52 pm
#3064
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,313
Why do you have a hard time imagining that it wouldn't work? The terms say that you can't combine with other offers. If you combine with other offers they are within their rights to not pay Cartera. If they do not pay Cartera, Cartera does not pay you. Also if they do pay, they are within their rights to claw it back, in which case Cartera will claw it back from you. You won't have a valid complaint since you violated the terms.
Apparently they have done exactly this in previous years. Also apparently people have double dipped successfully this year, with no clawbacks yet. So maybe it will work. Then again maybe it won't. Any time you violate the terms of an offer that's the risk you are taking.
Apparently they have done exactly this in previous years. Also apparently people have double dipped successfully this year, with no clawbacks yet. So maybe it will work. Then again maybe it won't. Any time you violate the terms of an offer that's the risk you are taking.
I can indeed READ, I'm saying I have a hard time imagining how they'd know, but that's because I don't fully understand what happens behind the scenes. Are the miles pre-allocated or do they get cross-referenced somehow back at MotleyFool and then MF decides what to do?
Apr 20, 2022, 8:02 pm
#3065
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Wondering if it'd work because it's 2 completely different companies doling the mileage (or amex credit). One comes from Cartera, but how does Cartera know your card is registered at SimplyMiles, or that your Amex Card is registered for the Amex rebate. I don't know how this works, hence the question.
I can indeed READ, I'm saying I have a hard time imagining how they'd know, but that's because I don't fully understand what happens behind the scenes. Are the miles pre-allocated or do they get cross-referenced somehow back at MotleyFool and then MF decides what to do?
I can indeed READ, I'm saying I have a hard time imagining how they'd know, but that's because I don't fully understand what happens behind the scenes. Are the miles pre-allocated or do they get cross-referenced somehow back at MotleyFool and then MF decides what to do?
Basically on their end they are going to see two customer acquisition costs for one customer. So what they may do is pay the first one and not the 2nd one. They may also pay both, catch it later in an audit, and claw one back (which is apparently what happened in previous years). Or they may pay both and never notice.
FWIW I've had miles clawed back (correctly) and much to my surprise, the LP stuck. I'm uncertain whether AA will eventually notice and reduce the LP. These were also "promotional" LP (pre-March) so I'm certainly not suggesting that a clawback for a post-March transaction would work the same way.
Apr 21, 2022, 12:17 am
#3066
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
I recently completed a Viking cruise booked through AA cruises. The flights were on AA. I received loyalty points equal to the total cost of the cruise, however I did not get any loyalty points for the flight. I was expecting loyalty points equal to the flight cost times the EXP multiplier. My AA cruises concierge informs me that even though they were AA flights, they were actually purchased by the cruise line and therefore I will not get loyalty points for the flight cost.
Is the concierge correct that I am not entitled to loyalty points for the flight because it was actually purchased by the cruise line? Not earning the expected 50,000 loyalty points probably means the end of my EXP status.
If she is not correct, who would I contact to get the points? I can't find anything at AA.com that addresses this.
If she is correct, then let this serve as notice to anyone whose flights are booked by a cruise line. If you want the loyalty points, you must book and pay for the flights yourself. Also, if you are willing to forgo the loyalty points for the convenience of having the cruise line make the flight arrangements, then you might as well pick whatever airline provides the best experience/value.
Is the concierge correct that I am not entitled to loyalty points for the flight because it was actually purchased by the cruise line? Not earning the expected 50,000 loyalty points probably means the end of my EXP status.
If she is not correct, who would I contact to get the points? I can't find anything at AA.com that addresses this.
If she is correct, then let this serve as notice to anyone whose flights are booked by a cruise line. If you want the loyalty points, you must book and pay for the flights yourself. Also, if you are willing to forgo the loyalty points for the convenience of having the cruise line make the flight arrangements, then you might as well pick whatever airline provides the best experience/value.
How do the flights show up on your AAdvantage activity? The ticket is there with zero points? Or it's not there at all? (If it's not there, you might just need to submit a missing mileage claim via AA.)
Apr 21, 2022, 12:27 am
#3067
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I recently completed a Viking cruise booked through AA cruises. The flights were on AA. I received loyalty points equal to the total cost of the cruise, however I did not get any loyalty points for the flight. I was expecting loyalty points equal to the flight cost times the EXP multiplier.
Last edited by VegasGambler; Apr 21, 2022 at 12:41 am
Apr 21, 2022, 5:47 am
#3068
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NY, NY
Programs: AA EP, UA 1K
Posts: 124
On the 75k max per ticket, does anyone else have experience hitting the maximum? I thought "per ticket" would mean if there are two flights each with their own ticket number in an itinerary, each flight has a 75k max, not the entire itinerary. I just finished an international roundtrip, the outbound leg A-B shows as having maxed out at 75k loyalty points; the return leg B-A has posted and shows 0 award miles or loyalty points earned. So I guess "ticket" actually means "itinerary" or "round trip"?
I haven't been taking these trips since pre-Covid, but I don't remember it working that way in the old days, I think I remember earning for each segment, but my memory isn't great so I could just be imaging that. If that's the way the system works now then I guess anything over $6.8k for an itinerary will earn nothing?
I haven't been taking these trips since pre-Covid, but I don't remember it working that way in the old days, I think I remember earning for each segment, but my memory isn't great so I could just be imaging that. If that's the way the system works now then I guess anything over $6.8k for an itinerary will earn nothing?
Apr 21, 2022, 6:25 am
#3069
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
On the 75k max per ticket, does anyone else have experience hitting the maximum? I thought "per ticket" would mean if there are two flights each with their own ticket number in an itinerary, each flight has a 75k max, not the entire itinerary. I just finished an international roundtrip, the outbound leg A-B shows as having maxed out at 75k loyalty points; the return leg B-A has posted and shows 0 award miles or loyalty points earned. So I guess "ticket" actually means "itinerary" or "round trip"?
I haven't been taking these trips since pre-Covid, but I don't remember it working that way in the old days, I think I remember earning for each segment, but my memory isn't great so I could just be imaging that. If that's the way the system works now then I guess anything over $6.8k for an itinerary will earn nothing?
I haven't been taking these trips since pre-Covid, but I don't remember it working that way in the old days, I think I remember earning for each segment, but my memory isn't great so I could just be imaging that. If that's the way the system works now then I guess anything over $6.8k for an itinerary will earn nothing?
But yeah if you have two ticket numbers then I think you have a legitimate gripe. The website clearly says that the limit is per ticket. If you have two ticket numbers then you have two tickets.
Apr 21, 2022, 6:36 am
#3070
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NY, NY
Programs: AA EP, UA 1K
Posts: 124
You actually have two different ticket numbers for your round trip? Even when I buy a "round trip" constructed from two one way fares I only get one ticket number.
But yeah if you have two ticket numbers then I think you have a legitimate gripe. The website clearly says that the limit is per ticket. If you have two ticket numbers then you have two tickets.
But yeah if you have two ticket numbers then I think you have a legitimate gripe. The website clearly says that the limit is per ticket. If you have two ticket numbers then you have two tickets.
Apr 21, 2022, 6:59 am
#3071
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Ah your'e right, my round trip has the same ticket number for both the outbound and return, don't know why I thought there were two different ticket numbers. So I guess I'm capped for the round trip. Wish they wouldn't do it that way, but oh well. Looks like United has a similar cap.
Apr 21, 2022, 7:21 am
#3072
Join Date: Sep 2020
Programs: AA EXP, BA Gold, VS Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,947
Ah your'e right, my round trip has the same ticket number for both the outbound and return, don't know why I thought there were two different ticket numbers. So I guess I'm capped for the round trip. Wish they wouldn't do it that way, but oh well. Looks like United has a similar cap.
Apr 21, 2022, 10:12 am
#3075
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Anywhere
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 674
I recently completed a Viking cruise booked through AA cruises. The flights were on AA. I received loyalty points equal to the total cost of the cruise, however I did not get any loyalty points for the flight. I was expecting loyalty points equal to the flight cost times the EXP multiplier. My AA cruises concierge informs me that even though they were AA flights, they were actually purchased by the cruise line and therefore I will not get loyalty points for the flight cost.
Is the concierge correct that I am not entitled to loyalty points for the flight because it was actually purchased by the cruise line? Not earning the expected 50,000 loyalty points probably means the end of my EXP status.
If she is not correct, who would I contact to get the points? I can't find anything at AA.com that addresses this.
If she is correct, then let this serve as notice to anyone whose flights are booked by a cruise line. If you want the loyalty points, you must book and pay for the flights yourself. Also, if you are willing to forgo the loyalty points for the convenience of having the cruise line make the flight arrangements, then you might as well pick whatever airline provides the best experience/value.
Is the concierge correct that I am not entitled to loyalty points for the flight because it was actually purchased by the cruise line? Not earning the expected 50,000 loyalty points probably means the end of my EXP status.
If she is not correct, who would I contact to get the points? I can't find anything at AA.com that addresses this.
If she is correct, then let this serve as notice to anyone whose flights are booked by a cruise line. If you want the loyalty points, you must book and pay for the flights yourself. Also, if you are willing to forgo the loyalty points for the convenience of having the cruise line make the flight arrangements, then you might as well pick whatever airline provides the best experience/value.
Expand the "Exceptions" section:
So unfortunately, I think the concierge is correct, and you won't get any miles or LPs for those flights bought by the cruise line.