Changes Coming to AA Frequent Flyer Program

[Danger]

It seems that, even with status, the redeemable mile earn may be worse that with Qantas under "Simpler and Fairer[SUP]TM[/SUP]".

And with the deteriorating Australian dollar Aussies will get even less bang for their buck.

 

[wandering_fred]

With the EQM multipliers I can see flyers getting their status the cheapest way possible each year and then crediting to a program that permits better redemptions / upgrades.

Will we see more of the - If you want lounge access with program XX, then the next flight must be credited to XX? If this happens will OneWorld slowly disintegrate?

Perhaps unhappily wandering

Fred

 

[Deleted member 26544]

It seems that, even with status, the redeemable mile earn may be worse that with Qantas under "Simpler and Fairer[SUP]TM[/SUP]".

As I understand that's only for travel on AA flights/AA (001) tickets. I'll be interested to see how they handle earn for OW flights on non-AA issued tickets e.g. BA (125).

Finally read through all 79 pages (as at 12:30pm AEDT) of the FT thread. Lots of teeth gnashing for US based EXPs.

 

[drron]

So if the new system was in place for 2015 I would now be EXP.Pity that this year almost wont be repeated in the next few so I remain just a plat.

 

[Turbo-g]

I'm interested in which executive from Qantas has recently moved to the US and landed a cream job in the AA Frequent Flyer Program?

 

[dfcatch]

I'm interested in which executive from Qantas has recently moved to the US and landed a cream job in the AA Frequent Flyer Program?

Funny but no.

OTOH - US Airways management (whom are now running AA) have never had any experience running a frequent flyer program that was highly regarded.

It's a shame that a management team who couldn't organise a root in a brothel (frequent flyer program speaking) are now getting their hands on North America's best program.

 

[exceladdict]

Funny but no.

US Airways management (whom are now running AA) have never had any experience running a frequent flyer program that was highly regarded.

I sure got my value out of USDM.

 

[dfcatch]

I sure got my value out of USDM.

That's not the same thing as the program being valued.

I'm yet to meet a status member of USDM who raves about it.

 

[serfty]

And the AAward changes have been announced: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....age-award-devaluation-bookings-mar-72185.html

 

[serfty]

EQM earn on AA and Partner Airlines:

American Airlines AAdvantage Airline Partners | aa.com

 

[serfty]

American Airlines oneworld partner – Qantas

Looks like EQM earn for Qantas travel will increase for the lower fares as it's based on per mile flown, not RDM earn * multiplier.

So:

O class will earn ¼ AAdvantage mile per mile flown and ½ EQM per mile flown. (Was ¼ & ⅛ [EQP]).
No real change to I class will earn 1¼ AAdvantage mile per mile flown and 1½ EQM per mile flown. (Was 1½ EQP).

500 minimum for Elites remains.

 

[dfcatch]

Sorry Serfty - how do you get 1/8 EQP?

They were 0.5 EQP, and are now 0.5 EQM - so same same.

No?

 

[serfty]

Sorry Serfty - how do you get 1/8 EQP?

They were 0.5 EQP, and are now 0.5 EQM - so same same.

No?

O class earns currently ¼ RDM per Mile travelled. EQP for O class are earned at ½ EQP per RDM earned. ¼ x ½ = ⅛

See here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-platinum-challenge-mileage-earning-8595.html
(scroll down a little)

 

[wandering_fred]

Sorry Serfty - how do you get 1/8 EQP?
They were 0.5 EQP, and are now 0.5 EQM - so same same.
No?

O class previously earned 25% of base miles flown - So if you flew 1000 you earned 250 EQM. PLTs and EXPs got 100% status bonus so 500 RDM earn.
EQP earned applied the EQP factor to the EQM earning so 250 times 0.5 or 125 EQP earn. One of the reasons I started credited those types of fares to QF.

Under the new arrangements, there are no EQPs. So you earn 500 EQM points from a 1000 mile trip at a 0.5 EQM hsvtpr. RDM earn will depend on the AA IT team completing the unspecified (but announced in principle) modifications during 2016 when it will change again. At least for a while the status factor will apply to the base miles (RDM) earned. QF O and Q have a 25% factor for base.

At least that's how I read it. :shock:

Without wandering

Fred

A new world of wandering

Fred

 

[dfcatch]

Sorry - I always read it that EQP was a separate calculation on "miles flown".

I always understood that EQM, RDM, and EQP were "independent" calculations.

But I trust you guys if that was the actual lived experience.

 

[exceladdict]

Wow. Just got the email. Not good for first redemptions.

Edit: http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/redeemMiles/all-partner-chart2016.jsp

Also unhappy about introduction of Australia to NZ category at 25000 miles for J.

 

[kamchatsky]

Wow. Just got the email. Not good for first redemptions.

Edit: http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/redeemMiles/all-partner-chart2016.jsp

Also unhappy about introduction of Australia to NZ category at 25000 miles for J.

Still cheaper than say QF though. AA has been very generous to us in the past.

 

[serfty]

Sorry - I always read it that EQP was a separate calculation on "miles flown".

I always understood that EQM, RDM, and EQP were "independent" calculations.

But I trust you guys if that was the actual lived experience.

Note that two levels of EQP are possible.

O class MEL-SYD on QF:

Currently AAdvantage elite gets a minimum 500 base earn, so they get 500 EQM and 250 EQP on 449 mile MEL-SYD on O class.
Non status gets 110 and 55 respectively.

 

[amaroo]

Still cheaper than say QF though. AA has been very generous to us in the past.

True. However, it all depends on how much those miles cost.

 

[Glider_]

I'm glad they didn't try to tell us the changes are 'enhancements'.