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
May 27, 2022, 8:33 am
#3241
formerly DreAAmliner
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 419
For me, at first, it was discerning the difference between RDMs that were "Bonus" (not LPs). These threads have given me a lot of confidence in understanding that now.
Otherwise, as i see it, If you get an RDM, it is likely an LP.
With the biggest caveats being:
-credit card welcome bonus
-credit card category multiplier
-anything that specifically says "Bonus" on AA Eshopping
May 31, 2022, 4:09 pm
#3242
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PHL / NYC / PSA-BLQ
Programs: AA PPRO, Marriott/Hilton Gold, AMX-Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 3,110
My I ask what has been troubling you the most?
For me, at first, it was discerning the difference between RDMs that were "Bonus" (not LPs). These threads have given me a lot of confidence in understanding that now.
Otherwise, as i see it, If you get an RDM, it is likely an LP.
With the biggest caveats being:
-credit card welcome bonus
-credit card category multiplier
-anything that specifically says "Bonus" on AA Eshopping
For me, at first, it was discerning the difference between RDMs that were "Bonus" (not LPs). These threads have given me a lot of confidence in understanding that now.
Otherwise, as i see it, If you get an RDM, it is likely an LP.
With the biggest caveats being:
-credit card welcome bonus
-credit card category multiplier
-anything that specifically says "Bonus" on AA Eshopping
But even putting those issues aside. My upcoming flights are 1) JFK-LHR 001 ticket stock/ AA flight # / BA metal and 2) LHR-NCE 001 ticket stock / BA flight # / BA flight. What LPs should I expect? My guess:
1) JFK-LHR will be based on ticket value and as PPRO I will get 9x that value. While it is a PE ticket in W class I don't believe cabin bonuses exist for LPs that are calc'd from ticket price (I guess they figure what you paid is the "bonus").
2) LHR-NCE will be based on miles and for that I get Miles (~647 base) and an 80% status bonus so appx. 1,164 miles--> LPs. (ticket is B as there is no PE cabin).
Alternatively, as it's all on AA ticket stock, I guess they could do both 1 & 2 on spend.
Just not very clear to me. Of course, I haven't been flying a ton so all this is relatively new. Just a pain to figure out.
May 31, 2022, 4:23 pm
#3243
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I'll chime in on this. Partner airlines and mixed tickets for example. My specific one is in June, I fly JFK-LHR-NCE on 001 ticket stock. It's the back end of a RT I had to change in March (MXP-JFK was the start) as I got food poisoning. That change changed the fare a LOT and in typical AA fashion, how it splits across segments is muddy as hell.
But even putting those issues aside. My upcoming flights are 1) JFK-LHR 001 ticket stock/ AA flight # / BA metal and 2) LHR-NCE 001 ticket stock / BA flight # / BA flight. What LPs should I expect? My guess:
1) JFK-LHR will be based on ticket value and as PPRO I will get 9x that value. While it is a PE ticket in W class I don't believe cabin bonuses exist for LPs that are calc'd from ticket price (I guess they figure what you paid is the "bonus").
2) LHR-NCE will be based on miles and for that I get Miles (~647 base) and an 80% status bonus so appx. 1,164 miles--> LPs. (ticket is B as there is no PE cabin).
Alternatively, as it's all on AA ticket stock, I guess they could do both 1 & 2 on spend.
Just not very clear to me. Of course, I haven't been flying a ton so all this is relatively new. Just a pain to figure out.
But even putting those issues aside. My upcoming flights are 1) JFK-LHR 001 ticket stock/ AA flight # / BA metal and 2) LHR-NCE 001 ticket stock / BA flight # / BA flight. What LPs should I expect? My guess:
1) JFK-LHR will be based on ticket value and as PPRO I will get 9x that value. While it is a PE ticket in W class I don't believe cabin bonuses exist for LPs that are calc'd from ticket price (I guess they figure what you paid is the "bonus").
2) LHR-NCE will be based on miles and for that I get Miles (~647 base) and an 80% status bonus so appx. 1,164 miles--> LPs. (ticket is B as there is no PE cabin).
Alternatively, as it's all on AA ticket stock, I guess they could do both 1 & 2 on spend.
Just not very clear to me. Of course, I haven't been flying a ton so all this is relatively new. Just a pain to figure out.
This year you do not have the additional step of figuring out EQM, EQS, and EQD. Once you have figured out RDM, the LP will be the same as the RDM. That is strictly simpler -- it's less stuff to figure out.
It is true that you need to figure out how to split the fare between the two segments, but that would have been required last year anyway in order to calculate EQD and RDM correctly.
May 31, 2022, 5:04 pm
#3244
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PHL / NYC / PSA-BLQ
Programs: AA PPRO, Marriott/Hilton Gold, AMX-Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 3,110
This has nothing to do with the change to LP though. The problem is that you are not sure how your flights will accrue RDM. You would have had the same problem last year (because, how your flights will accrue RDM has not changed).
This year you do not have the additional step of figuring out EQM, EQS, and EQD. Once you have figured out RDM, the LP will be the same as the RDM. That is strictly simpler -- it's less stuff to figure out.
It is true that you need to figure out how to split the fare between the two segments, but that would have been required last year anyway in order to calculate EQD and RDM correctly.
This year you do not have the additional step of figuring out EQM, EQS, and EQD. Once you have figured out RDM, the LP will be the same as the RDM. That is strictly simpler -- it's less stuff to figure out.
It is true that you need to figure out how to split the fare between the two segments, but that would have been required last year anyway in order to calculate EQD and RDM correctly.
That said, hotels on RM or AAHotels make it a lot easier to pick up LPs (I have a 4 day stay in June that will net 24,000 LPs on hotel) so, outside the pain of estimating them (which will drop with familiarity) I think it is easier to qualify now than before (certainly with less flying).
May 31, 2022, 5:54 pm
#3245
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Your problem is that one of the segments is going to post by fare and the other is going to post by distance. That would have lead to the exact same issue last year when calculating EQD and RDM.
So, while there is less to track, calculating the less is more complex.
I had a spreadsheet that easily calculated EQM, EQS & EQD going back, for flown segments, and forward for remaining trips that worked pretty well.
It makes no sense to say the figuring out RDM was easy last year and figuring out LP is hard this year. They are exactly the same.
Jun 2, 2022, 3:33 am
#3246
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Western PA
Programs: AA EXP/2MM
Posts: 441
Purchased a one-way Europe to US ticket for this past weekend... only available fares were flexible, so ended up paying about $2400 for coach.
Applied an SWU at time of ticketing (late March). Booking made via AA.com and agent.
About two days before departure, upgrade space finally opened on a routing with better timings... called & made the change.
Last night, credit posts to my account based on "distance" rather than fare -- meaning substantially fewer LP's.
(says flight was in "O" - although got 50% not 25% of distance, so not sure what they were doing).
Is there hope in calling to get it recalculated? If so, what should I say to agent?
Thanks,
Bill
Applied an SWU at time of ticketing (late March). Booking made via AA.com and agent.
About two days before departure, upgrade space finally opened on a routing with better timings... called & made the change.
Last night, credit posts to my account based on "distance" rather than fare -- meaning substantially fewer LP's.
(says flight was in "O" - although got 50% not 25% of distance, so not sure what they were doing).
Is there hope in calling to get it recalculated? If so, what should I say to agent?
Thanks,
Bill
Jun 2, 2022, 4:21 am
#3247
Join Date: Sep 2020
Programs: AA EXP, BA Gold, VS Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,947
Purchased a one-way Europe to US ticket for this past weekend... only available fares were flexible, so ended up paying about $2400 for coach.
Applied an SWU at time of ticketing (late March). Booking made via AA.com and agent.
About two days before departure, upgrade space finally opened on a routing with better timings... called & made the change.
Last night, credit posts to my account based on "distance" rather than fare -- meaning substantially fewer LP's.
(says flight was in "O" - although got 50% not 25% of distance, so not sure what they were doing).
Is there hope in calling to get it recalculated? If so, what should I say to agent?
Thanks,
Bill
Applied an SWU at time of ticketing (late March). Booking made via AA.com and agent.
About two days before departure, upgrade space finally opened on a routing with better timings... called & made the change.
Last night, credit posts to my account based on "distance" rather than fare -- meaning substantially fewer LP's.
(says flight was in "O" - although got 50% not 25% of distance, so not sure what they were doing).
Is there hope in calling to get it recalculated? If so, what should I say to agent?
Thanks,
Bill
Surely a return would have been much cheaper, even if you ended up skipping the return leg?
You can send a request online via the “contact us” page and explain that it was an AA ticketed flight, state the amount you paid excl taxes and ask them to correct the posting.
Jun 2, 2022, 5:30 am
#3248
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DSM
Programs: UA 1K, AA EP, DL PL, HH Dia, Marriott Gld, National Exp
Posts: 722
Purchased a one-way Europe to US ticket for this past weekend... only available fares were flexible, so ended up paying about $2400 for coach.
Applied an SWU at time of ticketing (late March). Booking made via AA.com and agent.
About two days before departure, upgrade space finally opened on a routing with better timings... called & made the change.
Last night, credit posts to my account based on "distance" rather than fare -- meaning substantially fewer LP's.
(says flight was in "O" - although got 50% not 25% of distance, so not sure what they were doing).
Is there hope in calling to get it recalculated? If so, what should I say to agent?
Thanks,
Bill
Applied an SWU at time of ticketing (late March). Booking made via AA.com and agent.
About two days before departure, upgrade space finally opened on a routing with better timings... called & made the change.
Last night, credit posts to my account based on "distance" rather than fare -- meaning substantially fewer LP's.
(says flight was in "O" - although got 50% not 25% of distance, so not sure what they were doing).
Is there hope in calling to get it recalculated? If so, what should I say to agent?
Thanks,
Bill
The agent confirmed I'm still EXP in system and confirmed RIC-DSM calculated on fare, which turned out to be $215 (the "cheap" part of the ticket) - so was correct. She is the one who noticed the miscalculation based on distance for DSM-RIC, which of course is incorrect. She escalated to customer service to investigate and I was told I would get an email when corrected.
Still waiting ...
AA's 75k mileage / loyalty point cap
Jun 2, 2022, 3:46 pm
#3251
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: TX
Programs: Alaska, AA, Marriott
Posts: 943
Jun 2, 2022, 3:48 pm
#3252
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,024
My I ask what has been troubling you the most?
For me, at first, it was discerning the difference between RDMs that were "Bonus" (not LPs). These threads have given me a lot of confidence in understanding that now.
Otherwise, as i see it, If you get an RDM, it is likely an LP.
With the biggest caveats being:
-credit card welcome bonus
-credit card category multiplier
-anything that specifically says "Bonus" on AA Eshopping
For me, at first, it was discerning the difference between RDMs that were "Bonus" (not LPs). These threads have given me a lot of confidence in understanding that now.
Otherwise, as i see it, If you get an RDM, it is likely an LP.
With the biggest caveats being:
-credit card welcome bonus
-credit card category multiplier
-anything that specifically says "Bonus" on AA Eshopping
For my personal basis I use my citi AA exec card to buy everything. If I spend $5K on it in one month are those $5K USD's RDM and thus LP?
Jun 2, 2022, 4:07 pm
#3253
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Jun 3, 2022, 8:00 am
#3254
formerly DreAAmliner
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 419
To simplify, i would think in terms of what redeemable miles that i earn are NOT LPs. That list is short, but important. i would say the major items on that list are:
-co-brand credit card welcome bonus
-co-brand credit card category multipliers (you will only receive 1 LP/$ spent on the card, even if you receive 2 or 3 x RDMs for a multiplier)
-AA Shopping BONUS points - Meaning, RDMs awarded for "Spending X$ in the portal over Y timeframe will get you Z BONUS RDMs" are NOT LPs
-purchasing RDMs from AA
-anywhere else that says BONUS in relation to earning RDMs
Someone else can chime in, but i think that's a fairly exhaustive list of earned RDMs that do not = LPs.
Jun 3, 2022, 9:25 am
#3255
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,669