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
Mar 6, 2022, 9:33 am
#2806
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,037
Mar 7, 2022, 10:46 am
#2807
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,017
A word of warning for those using RocketMiles. I just had mine post from a recent booking where I earned 4,000 but was then given the opportunity to buy up an additional 2,000 AA miles through RocketMiles at checkout. I thought I would receive LPs for the full 6,000 RDMs I was getting through RM, but it turned out I only received 4,000 LPs, and the 2,000 I upgraded to at checkout was treated as a "bonus," for which no LPs were given.
Mar 7, 2022, 11:13 am
#2808
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669
So I have found the sweet spot and likely the primary strategy for LPs in the new program. It is the booster miles options in the AA hotels. The most effective option is likely to find a hotel for around $100 or less that offers some LPs, like1k LPs (for hotel nights you actually plan to use), and then apply BOTH LP boosters of 2k+2k miles for $40+$40 (per day) at booking check out. This means a minimum of 5k LPs for every single hotel night. This is 2cpm for each LP and RDM. Translates to $4k for EXP and 200k RDMs, if the only strategy (which it won't be). Practically speaking, it is one of the easier ways to rack a few dozen thousands LPs to top up your account and reach a certain desirable elite level.
For example, someone could reach Platinum (75k LPs) very easily every year as follows: 10k LPs from spending an AA card, 20k LPs from portal shopping, 10-20k LPs from flying, and 25-35k LPs from hotel LP boosters (from 5-7 hotel nights), or similar mix.
From my quick observation so far, those hotels that offer LPs on the AA hotel portal do not seem to charge more on other OTAs.
If you book a hotel that you would not have used anyway, just to get the LPs, the cost usually rises to 3cpm and higher...
For example, someone could reach Platinum (75k LPs) very easily every year as follows: 10k LPs from spending an AA card, 20k LPs from portal shopping, 10-20k LPs from flying, and 25-35k LPs from hotel LP boosters (from 5-7 hotel nights), or similar mix.
From my quick observation so far, those hotels that offer LPs on the AA hotel portal do not seem to charge more on other OTAs.
If you book a hotel that you would not have used anyway, just to get the LPs, the cost usually rises to 3cpm and higher...
Last edited by nk15; Mar 7, 2022 at 11:36 am
Mar 7, 2022, 11:25 am
#2809
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: TBD
Posts: 840
So I have found the sweet spot and likely the primary strategy for LPs in the new program. It is the booster miles options in the AA hotels. The most effective option is likely to find a hotel for around $100 or less that offers some LPs, like1k LPs (for hotel nights you actually plan to use), and then apply BOTH LP boosters of 2k+2k miles for $40+$40 (per day) at booking check out. This means a minimum of 5k LPs for every single hotel night. This is 2cpm for each LP and RDM. Translates to $4k for EXP and 200k RDMs, if the only strategy (which it won't be). Practically speaking, it is one of the easier ways to rack a few dozen thousands LPs to top up your account and reach a certain desirable elite level.
For example, someone could reach Platinum (75k LPs) very easily every year as follows: 10k LPs from spending an AA card, 20k LPs from portal shopping, 10-20k LPs from flying, and 25-35k LPs from hotel LP boosters (from 5-7 hotel nights), or similar mix.
From my quick observation so far, those hotels that offer LPs on the AA hotel portal do not seem to charge more than on other OTAs.
If you book a hotel that you would not have used anyway, just to get the LPs, the costs usually rises to 3cpm and higher...
For example, someone could reach Platinum (75k LPs) very easily every year as follows: 10k LPs from spending an AA card, 20k LPs from portal shopping, 10-20k LPs from flying, and 25-35k LPs from hotel LP boosters (from 5-7 hotel nights), or similar mix.
From my quick observation so far, those hotels that offer LPs on the AA hotel portal do not seem to charge more than on other OTAs.
If you book a hotel that you would not have used anyway, just to get the LPs, the costs usually rises to 3cpm and higher...
A word of warning for those using RocketMiles. I just had mine post from a recent booking where I earned 4,000 but was then given the opportunity to buy up an additional 2,000 AA miles through RocketMiles at checkout. I thought I would receive LPs for the full 6,000 RDMs I was getting through RM, but it turned out I only received 4,000 LPs, and the 2,000 I upgraded to at checkout was treated as a "bonus," for which no LPs were given.
Mar 7, 2022, 11:28 am
#2810
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669
There is at least on positive data point that it works, from Vasantn, posted above. But of course proceed incrementally on a trial basis, as usual.
Mar 7, 2022, 11:32 am
#2811
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I think the questions to be concerned about are (1) for how long will it work, and (2) if they fix it, will they reclassify previous earnings?
Mar 7, 2022, 11:34 am
#2812
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
So I have found the sweet spot and likely the primary strategy for LPs in the new program. It is the booster miles options in the AA hotels. The most effective option is likely to find a hotel for around $100 or less that offers some LPs, like1k LPs (for hotel nights you actually plan to use), and then apply BOTH LP boosters of 2k+2k miles for $40+$40 (per day) at booking check out. \..
So, even 3000 for $100 (if Boosters are suspect) is not too shabby. And do we know that no-shows count definitively?
Although, thinking about it, it was like 1000 for about $50, then "pay more for more miles." Perhaps that's the other Booster you were talking about?
Cheers.
Mar 7, 2022, 11:40 am
#2813
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669
(2) is unlikely, especially if the person has reached a status. However, this brings up a new possible issue with the new program, frequent LPs clawbacks for various reasons, which could make the program look even more ridiculous that already is.
Mar 7, 2022, 11:46 am
#2814
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669
I looked at a hotel in Vegas with 3000 miles for about $100. Then I saw a single 2K boost for $40, but not a second boost.
So, even 3000 for $100 (if Boosters are suspect) is not too shabby. And do we know that no-shows count definitively?
Although, thinking about it, it was like 1000 for about $50, then "pay more for more miles." Perhaps that's the other Booster you were talking about?
Cheers.
So, even 3000 for $100 (if Boosters are suspect) is not too shabby. And do we know that no-shows count definitively?
Although, thinking about it, it was like 1000 for about $50, then "pay more for more miles." Perhaps that's the other Booster you were talking about?
Cheers.
Tropicana or similar n Vegas for $35/night plus resort fee and 3k LPs (plus the two boosters for 4k LPs) is probably the best deal, you go there for a couple of weeks and you get this over with...100k LPs/RDMs for $2k or so...
Mar 7, 2022, 11:50 am
#2815
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
For a real Vegas trip I'd use my HGVC points or book via Hyatt using the MGM Gold match to waive resort fees. So this would on;y be for a phantom.
Cheers.
Mar 7, 2022, 11:57 am
#2816
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669
But that's 3K with the first booster, so like $75? Or is that 3K LPs at the base $35 rate? Also, if no-shows definitely post the miles then the resort fee won't matter as that is paid upon check-in. I've certainly booked throw-away hotels for AA Vacation packages and never paid the fee. Of course, I wasn't trying to get the no-show hotel to "count" for anything.
For a real Vegas trip I'd use my HGVC points or book via Hyatt using the MGM Gold match to waive resort fees. So this would on;y be for a phantom.
Cheers.
For a real Vegas trip I'd use my HGVC points or book via Hyatt using the MGM Gold match to waive resort fees. So this would on;y be for a phantom.
Cheers.
Mar 7, 2022, 12:08 pm
#2817
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
No, Tropicana has 3k LPs to start with, and with the two boosters goes to 7k LPs. The cost is probably $35 base rate, plus resort fee, plus $40+$40 for each booster, so well over $100 a night for 7k LPs/RDMs. If you "no show" I don't know what happens, it is a risk. If you can pull this off with a no show and no resort fee it will be a major hack....at 1.6 cpm and no travel costs.
Finding good rates at some places, but taxes and fees (even exclusive of resort fee) are a killer so far.
Gonna do just 1 night.
Cheers.
Last edited by brp; Mar 7, 2022 at 12:18 pm
Mar 7, 2022, 12:19 pm
#2818
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669
.the LPs change rapidly and by day, I think...
Mar 7, 2022, 12:22 pm
#2819
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
Cheers.
Mar 7, 2022, 12:27 pm
#2820
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669
I meant try the cheapest hotel available today that offers miles and has no weird fees at booking,...forget Tropicana...