Wasn’t this always in place for BA and IB?

FFD - nice to see that, but I can foresee the offerings being “cheapened” given an influx of people (perhaps becoming similar to Polaris dining).

It is not an 18 month expiration for trip credits! It is 12 months for AAdvantage members and 6 months for non-members.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/customer-ser...vel-credit.jsp

I don't think anything but butt-in-seats miles count towards MM

CC miles used to count

Yes - an Emerald would need to be traveling international. Can be traveling in Coach and still get in QF F lounge as well as Flagship.
Only AA Emerald (PPro or higher) can use miles to get in the Flagship Dining. Others cannot buy access to FFD.

Appears any AA member (including non-Elite) can buy with $ access to Admirals or Flagship. I assume Flagship access is more $. Not clear if one would need to be non-Elite international to be able to buy Flagship access (as opposed to Admirals).

I think the Flagship Dining assumes that you have access to the Flagship Lounge and you are paying with miles to get in the Dining area as opposed to the buffet.
"Coming soon: Dine in luxury at the airport when you redeem miles for Flagship® First Dining passes, available once you reach AAdvantage Platinum Pro® status."

At LAX - the QF lounges are very convenient to AA gates, via the connector to TBIT. Just a level up once you enter TBIT - take the elevator up.
In fact - AA uses some of the gates in TBIT - for flights to AKL for example - so the QF lounges are more convenient then the LAX Flagship in Term 4.

Also the American Express Centurion Lounge - is in the basement under the QF F and J lounges - 3 levels down. You access the hallway which takes you to the down elevator for Centurion - by taking the down escaltor just after you enter TBIT from Term 4 connector.

Wow. That one little detail turns "6 more months for AAdvantage Members" around doesn't it. Nothing like sneaking in a stealth devaluation while making it sound like a new member benefit.

Nice catch on that...very shady!

Re-reading it I see what you're saying. I could be wrong, but given how sloppy AA always is with this kind of thing I'm not really worried at all that this is some kind of stealth reduction of the 5 day award hold. They're just talking about paid flights.

"24-hour trip hold:"
does a 24 hour hold have anything to do with award holds? no. there is no ambiguity here. there are two kinds of holds in the system. they are not talking about the one you are concerned with.

I'm wondering if some of this is to ensure AA flyers continue to credit miles to AAdvantage instead of Alaska, being that Alaska eliminated their requirement that a minimum number of segments be flown on their metal for MVP status. Given they still have distance-based elite qualification with tiers at 20k / 40k / 75k / 100k, AA flyers who usually fly discounted economy will likely have an easier time attaining Alaska status and enjoying all the Oneworld benefits on AA.

I find it odd that the verbiage here is "earn miles" rather than "earn miles and loyalty points". Though I certainly hope I am wrong and just reading way too into it.

"This new offering — 1,000 bonus Loyalty Points — is American's answer. "Call it a Loyalty Point headstart, if you will," Isaac said."

I did appreciate this not-so-sly reference to Delta having to come up with version 2.0 of their new program.

I for one appreciate the opportunity to now stand by for an earlier flight for free.