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
Aug 1, 2022, 7:53 am
#3436
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 282
Is my math right? better to fly with a partner airline vs. AA??
I was thinking of flying to Asia for a MRish thing. but then I totally forgot to take into account the loyalty points...
So the flight I found was bw JFK to SIN for $1K on AA (JL operated w NRT and SIN), if I understand it correctly if I fly with AA and have Platinum status 8 miles per dollar spent. so for this trip, I only get 8K of miles if I fly with AA?
Given JFK to SIN is 19K miles, wouldn't it be better for me to fly with a partner airline?
I tried calculating on Loyalty Points Calculator, it seems to validate: Loyalty Point Calculator
Is the math right? it doesn't seem to make logical sense to me...
So the flight I found was bw JFK to SIN for $1K on AA (JL operated w NRT and SIN), if I understand it correctly if I fly with AA and have Platinum status 8 miles per dollar spent. so for this trip, I only get 8K of miles if I fly with AA?
Given JFK to SIN is 19K miles, wouldn't it be better for me to fly with a partner airline?
I tried calculating on Loyalty Points Calculator, it seems to validate: Loyalty Point Calculator
Is the math right? it doesn't seem to make logical sense to me...
Aug 1, 2022, 8:11 am
#3437
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
I was thinking of flying to Asia for a MRish thing. but then I totally forgot to take into account the loyalty points...
So the flight I found was bw JFK to SIN for $1K on AA (JL operated w NRT and SIN), if I understand it correctly if I fly with AA and have Platinum status 8 miles per dollar spent. so for this trip, I only get 8K of miles if I fly with AA?
Given JFK to SIN is 19K miles, wouldn't it be better for me to fly with a partner airline?
I tried calculating on Loyalty Points Calculator, it seems to validate: Loyalty Point Calculator
Is the math right? it doesn't seem to make logical sense to me...
So the flight I found was bw JFK to SIN for $1K on AA (JL operated w NRT and SIN), if I understand it correctly if I fly with AA and have Platinum status 8 miles per dollar spent. so for this trip, I only get 8K of miles if I fly with AA?
Given JFK to SIN is 19K miles, wouldn't it be better for me to fly with a partner airline?
I tried calculating on Loyalty Points Calculator, it seems to validate: Loyalty Point Calculator
Is the math right? it doesn't seem to make logical sense to me...
If booked as AA flight numbers you would earn 8 LP per $, so roughly 8k LP.
If booked as JL flight numbers then your LP earnings are based on distance and your fare code. In the cheapest economy fare buckets (30% earn) you would get 19k x 30% = 5,700 base LP, plus your PLT bonus of 19k x 60% = 11,400 LP, for a grand total of 17,100 LP.
As is usually the case the long & cheap flights tend to earn more LP when booked as the partner flight numbers, but you really have to do the math for each and every scenario.
Aug 1, 2022, 8:25 am
#3438
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,028
Yes, and just to be clear it doesn't matter who you "fly" with but rather what flight numbers it's booked as.
If booked as AA flight numbers you would earn 8 LP per $, so roughly 8k LP.
If booked as JL flight numbers then your LP earnings are based on distance and your fare code. In the cheapest economy fare buckets (30% earn) you would get 19k x 30% = 5,700 base LP, plus your PLT bonus of 19k x 60% = 11,400 LP, for a grand total of 17,100 LP.
As is usually the case the long & cheap flights tend to earn more LP when booked as the partner flight numbers, but you really have to do the math for each and every scenario.
If booked as AA flight numbers you would earn 8 LP per $, so roughly 8k LP.
If booked as JL flight numbers then your LP earnings are based on distance and your fare code. In the cheapest economy fare buckets (30% earn) you would get 19k x 30% = 5,700 base LP, plus your PLT bonus of 19k x 60% = 11,400 LP, for a grand total of 17,100 LP.
As is usually the case the long & cheap flights tend to earn more LP when booked as the partner flight numbers, but you really have to do the math for each and every scenario.
Confusing.
Aug 1, 2022, 9:13 am
#3440
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 282
It's a bit counter-intuitive to know that I can earn more miles on JL econ fares, vs AA (and possibly upgrade to Business)
Yes, and just to be clear it doesn't matter who you "fly" with but rather what flight numbers it's booked as.
If booked as AA flight numbers you would earn 8 LP per $, so roughly 8k LP.
If booked as JL flight numbers then your LP earnings are based on distance and your fare code. In the cheapest economy fare buckets (30% earn) you would get 19k x 30% = 5,700 base LP, plus your PLT bonus of 19k x 60% = 11,400 LP, for a grand total of 17,100 LP.
As is usually the case the long & cheap flights tend to earn more LP when booked as the partner flight numbers, but you really have to do the math for each and every scenario.
If booked as AA flight numbers you would earn 8 LP per $, so roughly 8k LP.
If booked as JL flight numbers then your LP earnings are based on distance and your fare code. In the cheapest economy fare buckets (30% earn) you would get 19k x 30% = 5,700 base LP, plus your PLT bonus of 19k x 60% = 11,400 LP, for a grand total of 17,100 LP.
As is usually the case the long & cheap flights tend to earn more LP when booked as the partner flight numbers, but you really have to do the math for each and every scenario.
Last edited by Microwave; Aug 2, 2022 at 6:11 am Reason: Merged consecutive posts for readability
Aug 1, 2022, 9:48 am
#3441
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Aug 1, 2022, 10:26 am
#3442
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: BOS & SFO
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 675
We had this come up on a last-minute QR-marketed and operated BOS-DOH-BLR-DOH-BOS in M fare, where my family crediting to AA (2 plats, 1 gold) earned ~8400 LP on a ~$2300 ticket - a far worse deal than if we were able to book as AA-marketed flights. I earned ~8400 Alaska EQM, which is closer to requalification for AS MVP Gold (40,000 EQM) vs their ~8400 LP towards AA Platinum (75,000 LP).
Aug 1, 2022, 11:44 am
#3443
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
This has been true for just about every US-based airline since revenue-based models were introduced. UA made some changes to mitigate it but it's still true there, just to a lesser degree.
You earn more miles / status qualifying miles / LP / whatever on cheap tickets by flying with partners. This has nothing to do with AA, it's true on DL and also true on UA (though less so since they capped partner earnings) and it has nothing to do with the LP system. It's been true for years and will not change while they continue to give distance-based credit for partners.
FWIW you can earn 30+ miles per dollar spent on good premium economy fares.
You earn more miles / status qualifying miles / LP / whatever on cheap tickets by flying with partners. This has nothing to do with AA, it's true on DL and also true on UA (though less so since they capped partner earnings) and it has nothing to do with the LP system. It's been true for years and will not change while they continue to give distance-based credit for partners.
FWIW you can earn 30+ miles per dollar spent on good premium economy fares.
Aug 1, 2022, 1:33 pm
#3444
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 282
This has been true for just about every US-based airline since revenue-based models were introduced. UA made some changes to mitigate it but it's still true there, just to a lesser degree.
You earn more miles / status qualifying miles / LP / whatever on cheap tickets by flying with partners. This has nothing to do with AA, it's true on DL and also true on UA (though less so since they capped partner earnings) and it has nothing to do with the LP system. It's been true for years and will not change while they continue to give distance-based credit for partners.
FWIW you can earn 30+ miles per dollar spent on good premium economy fares.
You earn more miles / status qualifying miles / LP / whatever on cheap tickets by flying with partners. This has nothing to do with AA, it's true on DL and also true on UA (though less so since they capped partner earnings) and it has nothing to do with the LP system. It's been true for years and will not change while they continue to give distance-based credit for partners.
FWIW you can earn 30+ miles per dollar spent on good premium economy fares.
Seems like I either buy a more expensive AA flight and hope to get a business upgrade, and still earn less mileage, or go with a cheaper partner airline and get more points (and let go upgrade).
From cumulating miles perspective, the 2nd approach seems to make sense, but just more painful...
Aug 1, 2022, 1:48 pm
#3445
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Laguna Beach CA
Programs: AA EXP/4MM UA 1MM, HY Global, Bon Lft Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 720
Thanks, I don't know what I was thinking, being able to still do MR, but somewhat painlessly by booking reasonably priced AA operated and upgrading to business.
Seems like I either buy a more expensive AA flight and hope to get a business upgrade, and still earn less mileage, or go with a cheaper partner airline and get more points (and let go upgrade).
From cumulating miles perspective, the 2nd approach seems to make sense, but just more painful...
Seems like I either buy a more expensive AA flight and hope to get a business upgrade, and still earn less mileage, or go with a cheaper partner airline and get more points (and let go upgrade).
From cumulating miles perspective, the 2nd approach seems to make sense, but just more painful...
That being said, one doesn't have to completely give up on the idea of upgrades as Jal frequently sells day of departure upgrades, but only when the flight is sold and operated as Jal,
not on code share flights.
Aug 1, 2022, 1:49 pm
#3446
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
Also, if there is no option to book on partner flight #s when it would otherwise benefit you LP-wise (e.g. only option to book is AA operated and AA flight numbers), you can book through AMEX travel (and possibly other travel portals or OLTAs). That will trigger AA's Special Fare earning, and you'd earn based on distance according to the Special Fares earning chart, not ticket price.
Aug 1, 2022, 2:08 pm
#3447
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 282
One has to be careful especially with higher class JAL flights where discounted premium economy and discounted economy fares have no cabin bonus and only credit at 70%.
That being said, one doesn't have to completely give up on the idea of upgrades as Jal frequently sells day of departure upgrades, but only when the flight is sold and operated as Jal,
not on code share flights.
That being said, one doesn't have to completely give up on the idea of upgrades as Jal frequently sells day of departure upgrades, but only when the flight is sold and operated as Jal,
not on code share flights.
I'll keep in mind regarding the same-day upgrade, do you know how they are advertised? I'm assuming it's delta vs. almost full-priced upgrade $? Not as "cheap" as mile+copay with AA?
Also, if there is no option to book on partner flight #s when it would otherwise benefit you LP-wise (e.g. only option to book is AA operated and AA flight numbers), you can book through AMEX travel (and possibly other travel portals or OLTAs). That will trigger AA's Special Fare earning, and you'd earn based on distance according to the Special Fares earning chart, not ticket price.
Aug 1, 2022, 2:14 pm
#3448
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Also, if there is no option to book on partner flight #s when it would otherwise benefit you LP-wise (e.g. only option to book is AA operated and AA flight numbers), you can book through AMEX travel (and possibly other travel portals or OLTAs). That will trigger AA's Special Fare earning, and you'd earn based on distance according to the Special Fares earning chart, not ticket price.
Sometimes it does but it's not the norm. It never has for me. I suspect that the times that it does, they are selling you a bulk fare (rough that's just a guess on my part)
Aug 1, 2022, 11:02 pm
#3449
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAH
Programs: UA MM, AA almost MM
Posts: 1,164
Also, if there is no option to book on partner flight #s when it would otherwise benefit you LP-wise (e.g. only option to book is AA operated and AA flight numbers), you can book through AMEX travel (and possibly other travel portals or OLTAs). That will trigger AA's Special Fare earning, and you'd earn based on distance according to the Special Fares earning chart, not ticket price.
Aug 1, 2022, 11:56 pm
#3450
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
If you book through a traditional TA they should be able to tell you if they are selling you a bulk fare or not. But OTAs will obscure this; you will get a bundle but you won't know how it was put together. It could be a regular fare bundled with a good deal that a hotel sold them.