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, 2:14 pm
#256
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Gold (prev. Ex Plat for 10 years); DL Plat; UA Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,339
Still thinking through how this will impact me, assuming some return to pre-COVID travel patterns. I'm contemplating going full free agent and shifting my loyalty to AmEx (for Plat card benefits) and Alaska for mileage earning. AmEx Plat benefits are actually pretty rewarding (for me at least), and I appreciate the value of both the FHR program and the flight discounts available. Upgrades through EXP status had become something of a rarity for me (I assume because many of my pre-COVID routes were A319, just by luck). Either I was left to pay $$ for premium cabins or remained in Y, albeit extra legroom seats. I've been flying w/UA a lot more during COVID just based on their route network and have actually come to appreciate some of the improvements they have made. I'm not sure I'll be striving for EXP on AA any longer. Some years it was a genuine stretch for me. I let my Admirals Club membership lapse during COVID and don't see renewing that, either.
It's not that AA have done anything specific to lose my loyalty, it's just not worth what it used to be to me. Oh and BTW their premium cabin product, at the moment, is not exactly world class (not that UA and DL have much more room to brag, there). And it's also more complex to maintain status now.
It's not that AA have done anything specific to lose my loyalty, it's just not worth what it used to be to me. Oh and BTW their premium cabin product, at the moment, is not exactly world class (not that UA and DL have much more room to brag, there). And it's also more complex to maintain status now.
Oct 26, 2021, 2:19 pm
#257
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Delta Silver Medallion, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 14,108
Yes, I have both the Citi Advantage Exec and the Delta Amex Plat. Live in NYC, moving to Scottsdale. Have been flying Delta almost exclusively. Next year, will be shifting spend and flightsf to AA. They say it's simpler now. We'll see.
Oct 26, 2021, 2:24 pm
#258
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
Oct 26, 2021, 2:25 pm
#259
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: TX
Programs: Alaska, AA, Marriott
Posts: 943
Almost to the point of confirmation bias, folks here are focused on EXP. Look at the impact on Gold and Platinum (not PPro): It will be MUCH harder for the everyday joe to reach Gold on limited travel, and Joe isn't putting enough on a CC on a regular basis to reach a tier. This bolsters the value of the credit card "Group 5" benefits, baggage allowances, etc. and allows AA to continue to market those benefits to infrequent flyers.
The benefits of gold to the slightly-more-frequent traveler are access to MCE seats, baggage allowances, etc.
It also sets a true threshold for Platinum, where a more frequent traveler starts to see benefits like lounge access,, etc. at that level, and gets the business traveler to consider using an AA credit card in their daily life to augment their business travel and hit that level.
This is all about incenting credit card spend... and I predict you'll see FEWER folks with AA status in two years... reducing AA's "cost" of supporting that now smaller number of elites.
Also: 30 segment requirement for EXP for hub-captive elites flying paid J or F? Ouch.
The benefits of gold to the slightly-more-frequent traveler are access to MCE seats, baggage allowances, etc.
It also sets a true threshold for Platinum, where a more frequent traveler starts to see benefits like lounge access,, etc. at that level, and gets the business traveler to consider using an AA credit card in their daily life to augment their business travel and hit that level.
This is all about incenting credit card spend... and I predict you'll see FEWER folks with AA status in two years... reducing AA's "cost" of supporting that now smaller number of elites.
Also: 30 segment requirement for EXP for hub-captive elites flying paid J or F? Ouch.
Oct 26, 2021, 2:25 pm
#260
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Miami Beach FL, Philadelphia PA, and Oxfordshire UK
Programs: BA Gold, AA Executive Platinum, PriorityPass, Global Entry, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 737
Say I buy a TATL ticket in business that costs $2000. LHR-MIA return. As an EXP.
On AA that would earn $2k x 11 = 22000 LP’s
On BA that would earn 8850 miles + 2206.25 (25% cabin bonus for J) + 10590 LP’s (120% EXP bonus) so a total of 21646 LP’s so there is actually very little in it.
In this example AA win’s but only by 350 or so LP’s so enough to choose one over the other?
Last edited by Microwave; Oct 26, 2021 at 2:57 pm Reason: Replaced term deemed offensive in the US
Oct 26, 2021, 2:26 pm
#261
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
I'm contemplating going full free agent and shifting my loyalty to AmEx (for Plat card benefits) and Alaska for mileage earning. AmEx Plat benefits are actually pretty rewarding (for me at least), and I appreciate the value of both the FHR program and the flight discounts available.
Oct 26, 2021, 2:27 pm
#262
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Gold (prev. Ex Plat for 10 years); DL Plat; UA Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,339
Pre-COVID I would frequently buy F fares if they were less than 2x the Y fare. It reduced the amount of actual flying I needed to take, and I didn't otherwise have EQD challenges. AA earned a good amount of $ for those choices.
Oct 26, 2021, 2:33 pm
#263
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
https://aadvantagestatus.com/?anchor...=newaadvantage
Still digesting it. The big change is that miles flown don't matter (much), rather the focus is on flight spend and CC spend. At least nobody will blame AA for copying others this time.
I am sure many on here will hate it, but I see what AA is trying to do.
Still digesting it. The big change is that miles flown don't matter (much), rather the focus is on flight spend and CC spend. At least nobody will blame AA for copying others this time.
I am sure many on here will hate it, but I see what AA is trying to do.
1
Lost Cash Back 2.625% = 200k spend = 200,000×2.625= $5125
Value of AA mile never above 1c nowadays except partner awards (most conservative estimate)
So real cost is 5125 less 2000 = $3125 for 2 yrs if you do it by MS before March 2023 - over 14 months
About 150 a month for free upgrades and a free drink on AA while in economy
hhmmm…….
I think if they cared for partners spend, they would have given a lower value to miles on free or low cost AA cards and more value on miles from Citi Exec– and raised the fee on exec to 1000$ to account for the free lounge – but I am giving too much thought
Instead they are giving 10k boost in points for 40k spend on Citi Exec and 15k boost in points for 50k spend on Barclays; so it really takes only 175k spend total
With no fee cards = cost of EXP = 200k spend = lost cash 5125 - $2000 value = $3125
With AA Exec card cost of EXP = 190k spend +10k LP boost = lost cash 4987.50 +500 = 5500 less 1900 = about 3600$
With Barclays Silver Aviator card = 185k spend + 15k boost = lost cash 4856.25 + 195 fees = 5050 less 1850 = 3200$ net
With Both Citi and Barclays cards = 175k spend + 25k boost = lost cash 4595+ fees of 195+450 = 5250 less 1750 = 3500$ net cost
2
Overall not much different from DL process but a bit cheaper
There it takes 250k spend + 2 reserve cards @ 600 each gets DM = 125k MQM
250k spend = lost cash $6562+1200 for 2 cards = $7762
Less 2500$ in value of DL miles (max value at pay with miles) = $5262 for 2 yrs of DM
However DL also gives Choice benefits at PM and DM that you do not get on AA - easy value minimum 1000$ (just choosing 20k miles and 25k milesx3)
I get value much more using their global upgrades.
So real net cost on DL is about 4200 for DM but that is a higher target than AA
Last edited by ffI; Oct 26, 2021 at 3:21 pm Reason: Added clarity in cost of various methods
Oct 26, 2021, 2:37 pm
#264
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
Not too hard for who? Spending $100k or even just $60k on credit cards in a year is hardly a trivial matter. BTW, someone who earns the 60k LP points each year will be ahead of the Plat LTers anyway unless that LTer earns the 60k because LP is the tiebreaker instead of EQD now, they don't need Platinum Pro for that.
Oct 26, 2021, 2:42 pm
#265
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 551
As someone who is usually in between Gold and Plat, this pretty much keeps me at gold even if I will probably end up Plat for 2022 due to the extra months to qualify and the lowered 2021 requirements. As someone who often qualified on segments though I do look forward to not needing to sneak in extra connections to guarantee I hit the EQS requirements.
If the category bonuses counted from the AA card that would make it more compelling but I can't see giving up 3x UR points for 1x AA points and LP for most categories like dining or travel. I understand why the signup bonuses don't count, but the exclusion of 2x miles for spending on AA seems silly.
If the category bonuses counted from the AA card that would make it more compelling but I can't see giving up 3x UR points for 1x AA points and LP for most categories like dining or travel. I understand why the signup bonuses don't count, but the exclusion of 2x miles for spending on AA seems silly.
Oct 26, 2021, 2:43 pm
#266
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SEA, ATL (wish it was still ORD)
Programs: AA EXP; DL Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist (marriage perk)
Posts: 514
It seems that the flights which will be penalized the most are long-haul business class tickets on partners. For example, I'm looking at a trip to Melbourne for June 2022 from Warsaw (hope they will open). Finnair I fare is about $3600 through HEL & TYO with 21048 miles. Under old system that would bring me 42096 MQMs and 5262 MQDs so 40%+ to EXP on miles and a 33+% on EQDs. If I'm calculating the LPs correctly that would give me 21048 (based on miles) + 5262 (cabin bonus) + 25258 (EXP bonus) so 51568 LPs which is only about 25% of the new requirement. This is a major devaluation. Prices are similar to SYD but to SYD I can also fly premium economy pretty much all the way for $2600 (through LHR and SIN). Skipping the WAW-LHR leg in economy this is 21334 miles which under old system would net 32000 MQMs and 4267 MQDs. Under new system it nets about 47000 LPs. Thus, catching reasonably priced PE ticket appears to be more optimal than promo business. You're still about a quarter of the way to EXP but the cost is approx 30% less. This is frustrating b/c I'd really prefer to fly business.
As even more extreme example, I've found some LAX-SYD JAL fares through HND. This books into R class and nets 20656 miles so for EXP 45443 LPs. At a price of 2400 you pretty much can be EXP for ~$10K which is actually a very good deal.
Also what is this 30 segments requirement for EXP? I have not seen this anywhere. This would be actually a bigger issue for me b/c I tend to fly less but long-haul.
As even more extreme example, I've found some LAX-SYD JAL fares through HND. This books into R class and nets 20656 miles so for EXP 45443 LPs. At a price of 2400 you pretty much can be EXP for ~$10K which is actually a very good deal.
Also what is this 30 segments requirement for EXP? I have not seen this anywhere. This would be actually a bigger issue for me b/c I tend to fly less but long-haul.
Last edited by outgoing; Oct 26, 2021 at 2:56 pm
Oct 26, 2021, 2:47 pm
#267
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
Maybe there is a sweet spot - but this is how I have calculated it - feel free to prove me wrong. Quick back of a cigarette packet stuff this.
Say I buy a TATL ticket in business that costs $2000. LHR-MIA return. As an EXP.
On AA that would earn $2k x 11 = 22000 LP’s
On BA that would earn 8850 miles + 2206.25 (25% cabin bonus for J) + 10590 LP’s (120% EXP bonus) so a total of 21646 LP’s so there is actually very little in it.
In this example AA win’s but only by 350 or so LP’s so enough to choose one over the other?
Say I buy a TATL ticket in business that costs $2000. LHR-MIA return. As an EXP.
On AA that would earn $2k x 11 = 22000 LP’s
On BA that would earn 8850 miles + 2206.25 (25% cabin bonus for J) + 10590 LP’s (120% EXP bonus) so a total of 21646 LP’s so there is actually very little in it.
In this example AA win’s but only by 350 or so LP’s so enough to choose one over the other?
my take way from everything I have seen is that, fly long haul on partner, May be like Asia and rack up on LPs.
I frequent to India, $2600 J ticket on BA, JFK-LhR-BLR RT. I would earn roughly 44K LPs as platinum exec.
If I were to fly the same thing as AA ticketed, it would be ~$2100 x 11= 23K LPs.
I hope my math is right.
Last edited by Microwave; Oct 26, 2021 at 2:58 pm Reason: Updated quote of edited post
Oct 26, 2021, 2:49 pm
#268
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NYC-BNA
Programs: Lifetime Plat/4mm miles, Starwood, HiltonHonors
Posts: 657
Email today "Introducing the new, simpler AAdvantage® program"
So, all EQDs, EQMs, and EQSs now = Loyalty Points. LP is easier on the keyboard and the tongue than those old TLAs, but the catchphrase " yes, it’s really that easy" makes me wonder... Let the gaming of the new system begin.
Oct 26, 2021, 2:54 pm
#270
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: TX
Programs: Alaska, AA, Marriott
Posts: 943