Clarification of 'value' of points
 

Newbie here with a question about 'value' of points...

I was checking out the AA website and found flight US/Europe that yield an extra 4000 AAdvantage Bonus points but under T/C it says:

"Bonus miles do not count toward elite status qualification. Registration prior to travel is required."

So what good are they?? And while I'm at it - do the points accrued from cc purchases have a different 'value' than points accrued when one actually flies to earn them?

Thanks for the clarification!
DD

Welcome to FT Daringdoo :)

There are generally 2 types of miles. Unfortunately they have different names in the various programs.

1) miles for purpose of elite status
2) miles for purpose of awards (the so called free tickets and upgrades)

Typically some promo bonuses, flying on non-alliance airlines and miles earned from non-flying activity (eg credit card spend) fall into the second category. However some programs will count some or all of these examples in the first category.

In most programs, all miles earned in the first category automatically count for awards as well. But some programs have points or credits instead of miles to determine status.

So in the example you posted, the 4000 bonus miles fall into the second category. I am not familiar with all the rules of AAdvantage but credit card spend does count for the various lifetime statuses.

Kiwi, thanks for the welcome and the quick response!

So, what does Elite status mean? Is that the status that provides access to the airport clubs?

Sorry for being so thick, but I usually just use my points without thinking about what they mean (usually for a free trip) ... Now having discovered the "Wonderful World of FlyerTalk", I'd like to start learning the intricacies and making better use of the points I do accrue! ;)

DD

Elite status means more perks from your program. These perks vary by program and also be level of elite status within each program (typically 3 or 4 or more levels as well as the "no status" level).

Some examples of status perks (not necessarily relevant to AAdvantage or any specific program and status level).

Access to lounge.
Extra baggage allowance.
Special check-in queue.
Priority waitlist.
Priority for upgrades.
Vouchers for upgrades, awards, hotel stays, car rentals, etc.
Preferential seating.
etc, etc.

Thanks again Kiwi.

You might want to check out the American website for specifics. HOwever in the US on American elite status will not get you lounge access. It will let you accrue award miles faster depending on your status and some upgrade stickers. If you fly 100K for EXP you get free domestic upgrades.

Credit card miles do not count for elite status

The American site will give you all the details

Or check the AA forum on FT.

Every program is different so I didnt want to give too much specifics here, especially as I am not totally familiar with AAdvantage.

Typical benefits of elite status have already been mentioned. The point is that one usually earn elite status by flying a lot. On AA, they measure this by adding up your miles. You need to fly 25,000 miles in a calendar year to earn the lowest level of status (or two other options that are less relevant here). Some people add up the miles they earn, including miles from bonus promotions, sending flowers, using an AA Visa and the rest, and when they hit 25,000 wonder why they didn't get a gold AAdvantage ID card and the stated benefits. The statement you read is an attempt to clarify that bonus miles from this promotion do not count toward the 25,000. Only BIS ("butt in seat") miles do.

Miles for status qualification are often called "Q-miles" here when it's important to clarify which kind of miles someone is referring to.

O.k., so what I'm hearing is that even though one can earn miles from say, using a credit card and making lots of purchases, the really desireable points come from BIS - which are the points that will garner the great upgrades, lounge access et al. The points earned from purchases are really only good for what, basic free travel (at least that's what I've used them for in the past - in coach).

(Is it just me, or are these programs waaaayyyy too complicated? Or, perhaps I'm just so new to the concepts?) :o

DD

You are correct. (And yes, it's just you.) :D