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
Oct 26, 2021, 9:03 am
#61
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,701
The 30 segments thing is interesting. Back when I did lots of (paid, premium) International travel, I think there were several years where I qualified for EXP with fewer than 30 segments. It seems super easy to spend >$600 per segment with long-haul flight patterns; but now AA is encouraging me to change the mix to give them more short-haul travel just to keep my segment count up. Not sure the incentives really make sense on that one.
Oct 26, 2021, 9:03 am
#62
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ELP
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLAT, Marriott Titanium/LT PLAT
Posts: 4,126
If I read the article correctly, the elite multiplier doesn’t apply to credit card spend. You still earn 1 loyalty point per dollar spent (not counting bonus spend categories). The multiplier only comes to play when you buy tickets on American or its partners.
I spent something like 9k (not including the 3k given to me by AA) on AA last year which would equate to 99k loyalty points. I only had 23 segments. I will probably spend 15k this year because ticket prices have gone up, therefore I would earn 165k loyalty points and would still need to spend 40k on the card to earn EXP. I could probably hit the 30 segment mark to unlock the rewards since almost all my flights are J long haul. I am guessing EQMs don’t count for anything anymore. Is it just going to be EQDs, EQS and loyalty points?
Would it be possible for some of my friends to earn platinum status just by spending 75k on the card in their businesses without having to do any actual flying?
Huge positive — award charts not going away — YAY !!!!
I spent something like 9k (not including the 3k given to me by AA) on AA last year which would equate to 99k loyalty points. I only had 23 segments. I will probably spend 15k this year because ticket prices have gone up, therefore I would earn 165k loyalty points and would still need to spend 40k on the card to earn EXP. I could probably hit the 30 segment mark to unlock the rewards since almost all my flights are J long haul. I am guessing EQMs don’t count for anything anymore. Is it just going to be EQDs, EQS and loyalty points?
Would it be possible for some of my friends to earn platinum status just by spending 75k on the card in their businesses without having to do any actual flying?
Huge positive — award charts not going away — YAY !!!!
Last edited by anaggie; Oct 26, 2021 at 9:12 am
Oct 26, 2021, 9:05 am
#63
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: St. Louis, MO
Programs: Hyatt. Marriott. AA. National. Avis.
Posts: 155
Everyone has acknowledged CC spend being the big winner here. But just know that if Costco ever accepts Mastercard...that's when you'll have a flood of new elites. With my family's grocery bill, I'd probably hit some level of status just off of my grocery bills.
Oct 26, 2021, 9:05 am
#64
Moderator, Amtrak & Spirit Airlines
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: EWR :rolleyes:
Programs: AC 50K, AS MVP, AA Plat Pro, DL Plat, UA Silver, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 9,889
So, back of the envelope math here that means Finnair J is now the best way to fly (in C and D class)?
With the 100% per mile plus the 100% cabin bonus turning into loyalty points?
That is 18,066 miles flown on a JFK-HEL-BKK round trip.
Meaning you'd get 36,132 loyalty points as a base member and and another 43,358 if you were EXP?
That is 79,490 points for what can be flown for ~3k. I must be missing something though.
Plus, I guess another ~3k if booked on your AA card.
With the 100% per mile plus the 100% cabin bonus turning into loyalty points?
That is 18,066 miles flown on a JFK-HEL-BKK round trip.
Meaning you'd get 36,132 loyalty points as a base member and and another 43,358 if you were EXP?
That is 79,490 points for what can be flown for ~3k. I must be missing something though.
Plus, I guess another ~3k if booked on your AA card.
Oct 26, 2021, 9:06 am
#65
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, AA ExecPlat, Amtrak Select Exec, former WN apologist
Posts: 1,557
Did a quick check on the future status calculator at AA's website (under the loyalty program news link). I do a lot of multi-leg domestic trips through hubs. Looks like without CC spend/other spend AA has tidily booted me back from Platinum to Gold. In a huge way. I'm assuming they'll honor Platinum in 2022 but then I'm tossed. On top of all the other abuse this year I am seriously wondering if a concerted effort to switch to United might be worth it. Really feel valued by you, American! Not. : (
Edit: never mind, I looked at the wrong EQD threshold. Correct threshold should be $6k, making the math 6000* (5 + 5*.6) = 48,000. So still a little ways to go for requal
Last edited by Mr. BoH; Oct 26, 2021 at 9:16 am
Oct 26, 2021, 9:06 am
#66
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,590
In the air: All base miles earned from flying on Loyalty Point-qualifying airlines (flights marketed by American Airlines, oneworld® airlines, and JetBlue). This includes:
- Basic Economy tickets on American
- All status bonuses earned when flying on American Airlines and eligible partner airlines
Eligible AAdvantage® Miles include all base miles you earn, as well as elite bonus and cabin bonus miles you earn from flying. See FAQs for exclusions.
What this means is you also are encouraged to do one big push to earn status in Year 1 and then if you fly AA some it's much easier to maintain that status with lower levels of flying.
Oct 26, 2021, 9:06 am
#67
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: CMH,BLR
Programs: AA Plat Pro, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Gold, HH Gold, Virgin Atlantic Gold, Taj Gold, Shangri-La Jade
Posts: 32
Is that essentially saying that regardless of which partner airline you fly or even AA, what matters is the Base Miles and Cabin bonus to count towards these Loyalty Points followed by any existing status Bonus? (Since EQMs and EQDs will be gone)
Oct 26, 2021, 9:08 am
#68
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 6,211
From a quick read, it seems like Business/First bonuses are gone past 2021 qualification. Partner flights will still be based on miles. But that's as far as new Program release goes --- at least on my very quick first read through.
We all breath a collective sigh of relief Partner miles aren't devalued. However isn't that only an assumption because the update is silent on Award Charts? Not sure anything in today's announcement actually precludes waking up tomorrow to Partner award devaluations, either earning or spending.
We all breath a collective sigh of relief Partner miles aren't devalued. However isn't that only an assumption because the update is silent on Award Charts? Not sure anything in today's announcement actually precludes waking up tomorrow to Partner award devaluations, either earning or spending.
Oct 26, 2021, 9:09 am
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,545
Sure, but what would be the point if they are not flying? And if they were to fly a couple J award trips a year, what additional benefits would they get from having Plat status? It might make people feel special, but the actual costs to AA and benefits from having status in such hypotheticals is marginal.
Oct 26, 2021, 9:10 am
#70
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, AA ExecPlat, Amtrak Select Exec, former WN apologist
Posts: 1,557
For example, what you quoted from the site:
Is terribly worded. They try to make it easy by distinguishing between miles and Loyalty Points to start, but then they conflate miles and Loyalty Points in their explanation, making it less clear. Yet in that statement they say all base miles, then say that base miles include bonus miles, and really what they mean is that all those miles are Loyalty Points. Elsewhere they have this wording:And then state that each of those equal one Loyalty Point, that is a little more clear, but is footnoted instead of more clearly stated.
Is terribly worded. They try to make it easy by distinguishing between miles and Loyalty Points to start, but then they conflate miles and Loyalty Points in their explanation, making it less clear. Yet in that statement they say all base miles, then say that base miles include bonus miles, and really what they mean is that all those miles are Loyalty Points. Elsewhere they have this wording:And then state that each of those equal one Loyalty Point, that is a little more clear, but is footnoted instead of more clearly stated.
Which AAdvantage® miles count toward earning Loyalty Points?
Which AAdvantage® miles count toward earning Loyalty Points?
In the air: All base miles earned from flying on Loyalty Point-qualifying airlines (flights marketed by American Airlines, oneworld® airlines, and JetBlue). This includes:
- Basic Economy tickets on American
- All status bonuses earned when flying on American Airlines and eligible partner airlines
Oct 26, 2021, 9:13 am
#71
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, IC Amb
Posts: 5,548
Jesus Christ.
Game Changer(ender), for sure....
Cannot believe AA actually implemented something original instead of copying DL/UA.
Might have to switch my program to Alaska since almost all of my EQDs were earned flying partner PE/J anyway..,,
Game Changer(ender), for sure....
Cannot believe AA actually implemented something original instead of copying DL/UA.
Might have to switch my program to Alaska since almost all of my EQDs were earned flying partner PE/J anyway..,,
Oct 26, 2021, 9:13 am
#72
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DL: Silver; AA: EX PLAT; UA: Silver; HY: DIA; HH: DIA; MR: TIT
Posts: 1,708
Oct 26, 2021, 9:13 am
#73
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,465
So, back of the envelope math here that means Finnair J is now the best way to fly (in C and D class)?
With the 100% per mile plus the 100% cabin bonus turning into loyalty points?
That is 18,066 miles flown on a JFK-HEL-BKK round trip.
Meaning you'd get 36,132 loyalty points as a base member and and another 43,358 if you were EXP?
That is 79,490 points for what can be flown for ~3k. I must be missing something though.
Plus, I guess another ~3k if booked on your AA card.
With the 100% per mile plus the 100% cabin bonus turning into loyalty points?
That is 18,066 miles flown on a JFK-HEL-BKK round trip.
Meaning you'd get 36,132 loyalty points as a base member and and another 43,358 if you were EXP?
That is 79,490 points for what can be flown for ~3k. I must be missing something though.
Plus, I guess another ~3k if booked on your AA card.
Last edited by skunker; Oct 26, 2021 at 10:06 am
Oct 26, 2021, 9:19 am
#74
Join Date: May 2013
Location: LHR
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,035
Am I right that there's now pretty much no downside to booking long-haul Basic Economy if you plan to use SWUs (and have fixed plans)?
-- BE tickets now count toward Loyalty Points the same as all others
-- BE tickets can be SWUed
-- BE tickets now count toward Loyalty Points the same as all others
-- BE tickets can be SWUed