FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- American
Airlines is taking the first step in the evolution of its
award-winning AAdvantage® loyalty program. In the second
half of 2016, the program will shift how customers earn award miles
from distance flown to dollars spent. Award redemption rates will
be adjusted with some award levels increasing, while others will be
decreasing. Additionally, American will offer the best
elite-qualifying mile multipliers in the industry and simplify the
elite qualification process to better reward customers.
"American Airlines has spent the last two years being singularly
focused on integration. Now we're at a point where we can begin to
look ahead and lay the foundation for the future of the AAdvantage
program to ensure we're rewarding our most loyal customers with the
benefits they value the most," said Suzanne
Rubin, President of AAdvantage. "We seamlessly integrated
our programs in 2015, and we're excited about the opportunities
that the program will offer our customers in the years to
come."
Earning Award Miles
In the second half of 2016, when
traveling on flights marketed by American, members will begin
earning award miles based on the price of the ticket purchased
(base fare plus carrier-imposed fees, excluding government-imposed
taxes and fees) and that member's elite status level.
AAdvantage members will receive five miles for every U.S. dollar
spent on the base fare and carrier-imposed fees. Gold members will
receive seven miles, Platinum members will receive eight and
Executive Platinum members will receive 11 miles per dollar
spent.
AAdvantage Member
Level
|
AAdvantage
Member
|
Gold
|
Platinum
|
Executive
Platinum
|
Miles /
USD
|
5
|
7
|
8
|
11
|
Example
Calculation Future*
|
9,470
|
13,258
|
15,152
|
20,834
|
Example
Calculation Current**
|
9,502
|
11,878
|
19,004
|
19,004
|
*Calculation based on an AAdvantage member flying
round-trip on an American marketed flight from Dallas (DFW) to London-Heathrow (LHR). Base fare plus carrier-imposed
fees - $1,894.
**Calculation based on an AAdvantage member flying round-trip on an
American marketed flight from Dallas (DFW) to London-Heathrow (LHR). Flight distance – 9,502 miles
round-trip.
Award miles for travel on most flights marketed by partner
airlines will be based on a percentage of the flight distance and
the booking code purchased. More details will be announced in
2016.
Until the new award mile earning structure takes effect, members
will still earn award miles based on the distance flown. American
is extending its bonus miles promotion that allows members to earn
even more on purchased First or Business class tickets. More
information can be found at aa.com/moremiles.
Award Redemption Levels
In March 2016, some award redemption levels will be
reduced by as much as 40 percent, and AAdvantage members will
continue to book award travel on any day of the year without any
blackout dates. For tickets booked on or after March 22, award redemption levels to popular
destinations in Mexico, the
Caribbean and Central America will be reduced, and
MileSAAver awards for flights 500 miles or less in the U.S. and
Canada will be redeemable for as
low as 7,500 miles one way (plus any applicable taxes and
carrier-imposed fees). Award redemption levels on other routes,
such as some flights to Europe and
Asia will increase due to changes
to market pricing and demand.
"A significant percentage of our flights are less than 500
miles, so offering a lower MileSAAver option only makes sense for
our customers," said Rubin. "Other routes will be adjusted to match
increased customer demand, including routes that feature our
world-class A321T and 777-300ER aircraft."
AAdvantage Elite Qualification
Beginning January 2016, the AAdvantage program will offer
two simple ways to qualify for elite status – Elite Qualifying
Miles (EQMs) or Elite Qualifying Segments (EQSs) at the same
thresholds as today. Elite-qualifying points will be discontinued.
Members will earn more EQMs for purchasing higher fares, and EQSs
will still be awarded for each eligible flight segment flown.
American will offer the most generous multipliers in the
industry.
EQMs Earned On
Carrier-Marketed Flights
|
Booking code
purchased
|
EQM / mile
American
|
EQM /
mile
Delta
|
EQM /
mile
United
|
Full-Fare
First/Business
|
3
|
2
|
1.5
|
Discount
First/Business
|
2
|
1.5
|
1.5
|
Full-Fare
Economy
|
1.5
|
1.5
|
1.5
|
Discount
Economy
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
The rates at which members earn EQMs on eligible partner
airlines can be found on aa.com.
Beginning with the 2017 membership year, elite status will be
valid through January 31 of the
following year.
Upgrade Programs
The AAdvantage program provides
complimentary, auto-requested upgrades for all elite members on
domestic flights 500 miles or less, and AAdvantage Executive
Platinum members receive complimentary, auto-requested upgrades on
all domestic flights regardless of length.
With the higher EQM earn rates in 2016, beginning March 1, Gold and Platinum members will earn four
500-mile upgrades for every 12,500 EQMs earned during the
membership year. The cost of a 500-mile upgrade will be
40 dollars when purchased online, at
the airport or from an agent.
Beginning January 1, 2016,
Executive Platinum members will receive four systemwide upgrades
upon qualification for the 2017 membership year, with the
opportunity to earn up to four more based on flight activity – two
for every 50,000 EQMs earned above the 100,000 EQM threshold up to
200,000 EQMs.
The AAdvantage program was the first loyalty program in the
industry, created in 1981. It has seen several changes over the
decades and will continue to evolve to offer the best program for
its members based on the access and rewards they desire most. As
the initial phases roll out in 2016, American is committed to
sharing its plans with customers as clearly and as soon as
practicable. Additional details about the 2016 AAdvantage program
are available at aa.com/aadvantage2016.
About American Airlines Group
American Airlines Group
(NASDAQ: AAL) is the holding company for American Airlines.
Together with regional partners operating as American Eagle,
American offers an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to
nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries. American is a
founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members
and members-elect serve nearly 1,000 destinations with 14,250 daily
flights to 150 countries. This year American Airlines Group Inc.
topped Fortune Magazine's list of best business turnarounds and its
stock joined the S&P 500 index. Connect with American on
Twitter @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.
Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130208/DA56847LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-airlines-introduces-the-2016-aadvantage-program-300180197.html
SOURCE American Airlines