Method: Distance formula - where?
Jun 19, 2025 | 4:03 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: QDF
Programs: AA EXP (2MM), Marriott Plt
Posts: 1,071
Method: Distance formula - where?
I've searched all over, but I cannot find the details of how American calculates AAdvantage miles and loyalty points using the distance method.
Jun 19, 2025 | 4:04 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Airport Lounges (Usually in ORD and LHR)
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, AY Gold, QR Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,713
Jun 19, 2025 | 4:58 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: QDF
Programs: AA EXP (2MM), Marriott Plt
Posts: 1,071
Yes. The question is how do they calculate the number of AAdvantage miles and loyalty points earned for distance X, in class Y, on airline Z. The airline partner pages on aa.com (such as this) provide some of the information, but I can't find the exact formula anywhere.
Jun 19, 2025 | 5:01 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Airport Lounges (Usually in ORD and LHR)
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, AY Gold, QR Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,713
Yes. The question is how do they calculate the number of AAdvantage miles and loyalty points earned for distance X, in class Y, on airline Z. The airline partner pages on aa.com (such as this) provide some of the information, but I can't find the exact formula anywhere.
In your activity it is broken down by each bonus/multiplier.
Jun 19, 2025 | 7:11 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: QDF
Programs: AA EXP (2MM), Marriott Plt
Posts: 1,071
I assume that "Base Mile Multiplier" refers to the "Base miles" column. So that just leaves the "Status Bonus." Is that documented anywhere?
Also, it sure seems like this is something that should be documented somewhere on aa.com.
I haven't flown yet. I'm trying to compare the prospective earnings from booking directly with a partner vs. booking AA codeshares.
It's worth noting that the AA earning page says:
But they don't provide any information about how that calculation will be done. They don't even provide the base mile and cabin bonus multipliers for AA fare codes.
Also, it sure seems like this is something that should be documented somewhere on aa.com.
I haven't flown yet. I'm trying to compare the prospective earnings from booking directly with a partner vs. booking AA codeshares.
It's worth noting that the AA earning page says:
*Some exception fares and cases where the ticket / fare details aren't available at the time your flight is posted will earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points based on a percentage of the distance flown as determined by the booking code.
Last edited by PlatinumScum; Jun 19, 2025 at 7:41 pm
Jun 19, 2025 | 7:29 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott LT Plat | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 13,295
Jun 19, 2025 | 7:32 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Airport Lounges (Usually in ORD and LHR)
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, AY Gold, QR Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,713
I assume that "Base Mile Multiplier" refers to the "Base miles" column. So that just leaves the "Status Bonus." Is that documented anywhere?
Also, it sure seems like this is something that should be documented somewhere on aa.com.
I haven't flown yet. I'm trying to compare the prospective earnings from booking directly with a partner vs. booking AA codeshares.
Also, it sure seems like this is something that should be documented somewhere on aa.com.
I haven't flown yet. I'm trying to compare the prospective earnings from booking directly with a partner vs. booking AA codeshares.
Status Bonus is documented: https://www.aa.com/pubcontent//en_US...-statuses.html
There are calculators out there that do the hard work for you, including https://lpcalculator.com/#/calculator
Jun 20, 2025 | 9:36 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: KARB
Programs: DL 2MM
Posts: 26,977
https://www.aa.com/web/i18n/aadvanta...s-flights.html
Jun 20, 2025 | 9:49 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: QDF
Programs: AA EXP (2MM), Marriott Plt
Posts: 1,071
There is no class of service bonus for AA coded flights. It's purely based on dollar spend with base miles at 5 miles per dollar (2 miles per dollar for BE fares) plus status bonus miles.
https://www.aa.com/web/i18n/aadvanta...s-flights.html
https://www.aa.com/web/i18n/aadvanta...s-flights.html
Jun 20, 2025 | 9:51 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott LT Plat | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 13,295
Regardless, if it does happen and the result is not to your benefit, you can always call AAdvantage Customer Service and have them fix it.