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
Nov 8, 2021, 4:46 pm
#991
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: D/FW, TX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 428
I’ll withhold my real judgment until the changes are up and running but… I see this as a negative for me. I don’t have a lot of credit card spend and most of my flights are in Y because my employer will not allow travel in first.
Nov 8, 2021, 9:25 pm
#992
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
it is going to make it easier for me to earn EXP now.
Before (Covid) the EQD was $15K - $3K Barclay EQD = $12K requirement.
I am spending this fall to move back to EXP from Plat Pro - to get the 1.2% bonus LP on tickets.
I always spend $100K on the two credit cards - so that puts me at 125K LP to start. That leaves 75K to go.
For EXP - 75K/11 = $6,818 ticket spend.
I plan to start using some of the portals - since there are stores I buy from now.
Plus I could shift additional spend from other CC to AA cards (I think this is what they want you to do) and make the Ticket spend less.
So I figure likely $5K spend for EXP - obtainable - where as $12K was not unless I bought lots of F tickets.
So new program allows me to keep EXP (versus Plat Pro).
Before (Covid) the EQD was $15K - $3K Barclay EQD = $12K requirement.
I am spending this fall to move back to EXP from Plat Pro - to get the 1.2% bonus LP on tickets.
I always spend $100K on the two credit cards - so that puts me at 125K LP to start. That leaves 75K to go.
For EXP - 75K/11 = $6,818 ticket spend.
I plan to start using some of the portals - since there are stores I buy from now.
Plus I could shift additional spend from other CC to AA cards (I think this is what they want you to do) and make the Ticket spend less.
So I figure likely $5K spend for EXP - obtainable - where as $12K was not unless I bought lots of F tickets.
So new program allows me to keep EXP (versus Plat Pro).
Nov 9, 2021, 12:28 am
#993
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
Double Dip/Earnings Year
I'm a bit confused here.
I am presently EXP and have already qualified for EXP for "next year" with the $2000 EQD requirement, but I think AA is extending all status anyway.
Is the following true?
The 2022 "Status Year" will be April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023.
You will qualify for status for that based on your EQM/EQD/EQS from January 1, 2021 - February 28, 2022.
Eligibility for the choice rewards or whatever they are calling them are based on activity from January 1, 2021 - February 28, 2022.
The 2023 Status Year will be April 1, 2023 - March 31, 2024
You will qualify for that status and associated choice rewards based on loyalty points accumulated from January 1, 2022 - February 28, 2023
The 2024 Status Year will be April 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025
You will qualify for that status and associated choice rewards based on loyalty points accumulated from March 1, 2023 - February 28, 2024
I am presently EXP and have already qualified for EXP for "next year" with the $2000 EQD requirement, but I think AA is extending all status anyway.
Is the following true?
The 2022 "Status Year" will be April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023.
You will qualify for status for that based on your EQM/EQD/EQS from January 1, 2021 - February 28, 2022.
Eligibility for the choice rewards or whatever they are calling them are based on activity from January 1, 2021 - February 28, 2022.
The 2023 Status Year will be April 1, 2023 - March 31, 2024
You will qualify for that status and associated choice rewards based on loyalty points accumulated from January 1, 2022 - February 28, 2023
The 2024 Status Year will be April 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025
You will qualify for that status and associated choice rewards based on loyalty points accumulated from March 1, 2023 - February 28, 2024
Nov 9, 2021, 6:48 am
#994
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,821
So this is an interesting development for me. I usually have a heavy earn on AA cards and moderate flying. Typically about $60k to $80k in credit spend and about 50,000 in EQMs with about 50 or 60 segments. Certainly with the $60k in spend, I can expect about 15,000 or 20,000 in boost points. I guess 40,000 points in flying. It will be a close brush with Plat Pro.
I -could- put more spend on my card (college tuition for example), but paying 3% in card fees for that is not appetizing.
I -could- put more spend on my card (college tuition for example), but paying 3% in card fees for that is not appetizing.
Nov 9, 2021, 7:02 am
#995
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: SoCal,
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro
Posts: 771
That’s the breaking point for me. With my business I put about 100K, spread on a couple of cards. I’ve loved being EP the last 7 years. But if increasing my spend while being held hostage to only AA branded cards and potentially accumulating fees is the way I need to help maintain EP going forward? They just aren’t worth it. And there’s no guarantee that AA’s value proposition won’t fall further if they devalue LP’s. I can easily maintain Emerald status on BA. As of now, BA chooses to continue to operate like a full service airline.
Nov 9, 2021, 8:22 am
#996
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: 16,579
So this is an interesting development for me. I usually have a heavy earn on AA cards and moderate flying. Typically about $60k to $80k in credit spend and about 50,000 in EQMs with about 50 or 60 segments. Certainly with the $60k in spend, I can expect about 15,000 or 20,000 in boost points. I guess 40,000 points in flying. It will be a close brush with Plat Pro.
I -could- put more spend on my card (college tuition for example), but paying 3% in card fees for that is not appetizing.
I -could- put more spend on my card (college tuition for example), but paying 3% in card fees for that is not appetizing.
Nov 9, 2021, 8:33 am
#997
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/SFO & ORD
Programs: LT Gold/BA Executive Club/AS MP/Marriott
Posts: 1,646
I was thinking of a very simple poll/questionnaire. Maybe such as "do you view these changes as better or worse?" Or "have these changes been better or worse?" Maybe even "do you plan of flying more or less with these changes?". Etc.
I guess a poll/questionnaire would be better after 6 months to a year.
it is going to make it easier for me to earn EXP now.
Before (Covid) the EQD was $15K - $3K Barclay EQD = $12K requirement.
I am spending this fall to move back to EXP from Plat Pro - to get the 1.2% bonus LP on tickets.
I always spend $100K on the two credit cards - so that puts me at 125K LP to start. That leaves 75K to go.
For EXP - 75K/11 = $6,818 ticket spend.
I plan to start using some of the portals - since there are stores I buy from now.
Plus I could shift additional spend from other CC to AA cards (I think this is what they want you to do) and make the Ticket spend less.
So I figure likely $5K spend for EXP - obtainable - where as $12K was not unless I bought lots of F tickets.
So new program allows me to keep EXP (versus Plat Pro).
Before (Covid) the EQD was $15K - $3K Barclay EQD = $12K requirement.
I am spending this fall to move back to EXP from Plat Pro - to get the 1.2% bonus LP on tickets.
I always spend $100K on the two credit cards - so that puts me at 125K LP to start. That leaves 75K to go.
For EXP - 75K/11 = $6,818 ticket spend.
I plan to start using some of the portals - since there are stores I buy from now.
Plus I could shift additional spend from other CC to AA cards (I think this is what they want you to do) and make the Ticket spend less.
So I figure likely $5K spend for EXP - obtainable - where as $12K was not unless I bought lots of F tickets.
So new program allows me to keep EXP (versus Plat Pro).
Nov 9, 2021, 9:21 am
#998
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,537
After that, a possible scenario for us is to get AA PlatPro. This gives Emerald and there seems to be a "Platinum Pro line," although I'm not sure if it really is a separate line like EXP line. As we generally buy premium (or have coach on short flights where we don't care about F), EXP does not buy anything over Plat Pro except the EXP line (which we have found to be good).
Then we'd continue our BA Silver for domestic lounge and FL access. Since we are US-based and till fly mainly within the US, I don't see that BA Gold (and not getting the Plat Pro on AA) has any advantage to us. It's still Emerald like Plat Pro, but we lose out on some domestic support priority.
Cheers.
Nov 9, 2021, 9:49 am
#999
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: in the vicinity of SFO
Programs: AA 2MM (LT-PLT, PPro for this year)
Posts: 19,781
Nov 9, 2021, 9:56 am
#1000
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
It's unclear at this point. We know that transfers won't generate LPs (such as transferring a bunch of points from your account), but we don't know whether miles you might accrue on a per-stay basis would count (if you choose AA as the earning partner.)
Nov 9, 2021, 10:43 am
#1001
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
And because of the extra 2 months, we'll likely be able to get to EXP for the 2023 status year since we have 14 months to earn.
After that, a possible scenario for us is to get AA PlatPro. This gives Emerald and there seems to be a "Platinum Pro line," although I'm not sure if it really is a separate line like EXP line. As we generally buy premium (or have coach on short flights where we don't care about F), EXP does not buy anything over Plat Pro except the EXP line (which we have found to be good).
Then we'd continue our BA Silver for domestic lounge and FL access. Since we are US-based and till fly mainly within the US, I don't see that BA Gold (and not getting the Plat Pro on AA) has any advantage to us. It's still Emerald like Plat Pro, but we lose out on some domestic support priority.
Cheers.
After that, a possible scenario for us is to get AA PlatPro. This gives Emerald and there seems to be a "Platinum Pro line," although I'm not sure if it really is a separate line like EXP line. As we generally buy premium (or have coach on short flights where we don't care about F), EXP does not buy anything over Plat Pro except the EXP line (which we have found to be good).
Then we'd continue our BA Silver for domestic lounge and FL access. Since we are US-based and till fly mainly within the US, I don't see that BA Gold (and not getting the Plat Pro on AA) has any advantage to us. It's still Emerald like Plat Pro, but we lose out on some domestic support priority.
Cheers.
Nov 9, 2021, 10:53 am
#1002
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,537
As I mentioned, we buy premium for longer flights and don't care on things like SJC/SFO-LAX. THe one time we might use upgrades is buying PE to Europe and SWU to J. We will get fewer SWU this way, so we do have to factor that in. But domestic upgrades are not an issue in our case.
Edit: Oh, and I wouldn't receive the card I don't carry and the luggage tags I don't use each and every year as I just did today
Cheers.
Last edited by brp; Nov 9, 2021 at 2:02 pm
Nov 9, 2021, 11:07 am
#1003
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: 16,579
Nov 9, 2021, 11:21 am
#1005
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913