ZenFlyer

While I agree that this change will benefit those who earn LPs primarily from CC spend, the 30-segment minimum was also a source of major complaints from long-time elites here who have historically earned status by flying TATL and TPAC flights in premium classes -- i.e. high spend but minimal segments. (I no longer have this flying pattern but used to many years ago, so had a lot of sympathy for that complaint . )

SteveinA2

This made me feel old.
I flew Round Trip in Business to Europe for 60,000 miles
Round trip on BA001 was only 100,000
Times change but like death and taxes...FF miles devalue

Acidity

I'm not making the 30 segments this year, despite having hit ExPlat almost entirely by flying (180k+ LPs from flying, and that's starting with no status this year). This means ExPlat isn't all that valuable to me outside of the 11x (this year), since I don't get the SWUs (or whatever else I decide to pick, which may well not be SWUs since I fly international J OPM anyways). Realistically this means that, outside of group 1 boarding (which matters a lot for my DFW-ORD-DFW trips in Y where everyone is elite and I have a carry-on), ExPlat provided very little value for me over PlatPro; which is why I was considering risking it by going for BA status as well and seeing if I could attain both (but being content with mid tier AA and mid tier BA as being better than high tier AA). Frankly, the big thing holding me back from doing that this year was BA's 4 segment rule, otherwise my single trip to SIN last month would have single handedly gotten me to Silver (OWS), so I instead just used it to move up from PlatPro to ExPlat.

The 75k limit also plays into this, since I regularly fly tickets more expensive than $7k; I *had* been planning on either doing a mixed itinerary to get around that, or crediting 2 different programs during the course of the single ticket (e.g. AA on the way out, BA on the way back), but now I don't need to worry about that now.

js1993

Right, but they can still earn status from a few long-haul flights. It's just the SWUs they didn't get (this year). I'm guessing AA still doesn't care about those people; they're just the lucky beneficiaries of AA wanting to incentivize more CC/partner spending by big spenders who don't hit 30 segments and are miffed about missing out on awards.

I don't, either. It's hard to imagine AA avoiding bankruptcy for too much longer. The LP scheme is a short-term money grab, but at some point, AA either has to fly a whole lot of people for free or, after enough devaluations, people will stop going out of their way to accumulate AA miles.

Now more than ever, anyone who isn't earning and burning is making a serious mistake.

JoeDTW

I have a dumb newbie question, but please bear with me.

I earn about 15K miles / year on credit card spend, but because I "earn and burn", I rarely pay for tickets.

Will I get the 15K tier just from CC spend on my AA Citi card, or do I have to earn 15K points through ticket purchases?

redtop43

I'm planning on cutting back my travel next year, but still plan to maintain EXP by gift card purchases. I'm glad to see the 30 segment threshold is gone. I was starting to plan travel for next year and was thinking I'd have to turn some nonstops into connections. Glad I don't have to do that.

EJRofChicago

We're all new to this latest development! You could get the 15K tier and rewards just from CC spend if you so choose.

Fly2Connect

Time to start burning my AA miles... I know partner award charts should be staying intact, but its only a matter of time before they fall apart too. Also will be interesting to see what happens to awards with a domestic AA leg and an international partner leg...

cova

This makes Elite level more about the benefits assoicated with Oneworld Elite - lounge, check in, baggage, etc.
Since upgrades and SWU priority are base on rolling LP balance - Elite level is less of a factor - could be based only on LP.
Not sure if eliminating the 30 segment requirement is a good idea - will put too many SWUs out there.

js1993

Is this true? I thought low-LP EXP still trumped a high-LP Plat Pro for upgrade priority or did that change?

bse118

It's not true. Upgrades are prioritized by elite levels first, then 12 month rolling LPs within the elite tiers. Now, in general a person's LP levels are what makes their status so it's somewhat of moot argument.

flying_geek

Has to be a choice - that and getting something like Avis status for everyone - don't see that

odie11

Mind sharing how you maintain ExPlat through GC purchases? So many ways to utilize GC purchases for large accumulations of Chase URs and Amex MRs, but how do you do it for ExPlat? My husband is shy of reaching ExPlat (he has the segments and very little travel through Feb 28) so am trying to get him there via other means.

Herb687

As posted in another thread here, AA is just following the drug dealer business model. Except unlike your friendly neighborhood drug dealer, what AA is giving away doesn't give you that great of a short-term buzz.

cova

Correct - that is what I meant - I tried to make a simple post - assuming all knew that. It is possible that a person could be a PlatPro with higher LP rolling than a EXP that earned it the year before but did not fly much the next year (nor spend).

Also corporate COMP'ed CK and EXPs would trump a PlatPro even though they don't spend or fly much.

Would be interesting to know what qualifies for CK - as ticket purchases or big CC spend just get merged together. Unless AA bases it on Flight spend only.