AA DEQM promo question
 

I wonder if someone can answer a few Qs I have; and perhaps double-check my math? I have been PLT for a few years, and was NOT planning to fly much this year. I had set my mind on dropping down to GLD after Feb 2010. But now I have some unexpected trips plus the DEQM promo, I'm trying to keep PLT.

Qs:
From T&C
1) <i>AAdvantage elite-qualifying double mile offer is valid only for travel on eligible purchased, published fare tickets on American Airlines, American Eagle or AmericanConnection® marketed and operated flights between September 2, 2009, and December 15, 2009, regardless of when the ticket was booked or ticketed. Flights operated by our codeshare partners or oneworldTM alliance carriers are not eligible for this promotion.</i>

The way I understand this, is that if it's NOT AA metal I'm flying, I don't get DEQM, even if the flight is sold with an AA flight #. Correct?

2) <i> Double elite-qualifying miles will be calculated at 100% of the elite-qualifying miles earned for each applicable flight </i>

If the flight is <500 miles, I still get 500 x 2 EQM?

3) Pls double check my calculations:

As of today, I have 18,340 EQM

I flew BOS/LHR r/t last week, those DEQM bonus miles (3265 miles per leg) have not been credited yet. Therefore, I should have 18,340 + 3265x2 = 24,870 miles

In early Dec, I will fly BOS/LAX r/t. BOS/LAX is 2611 miles. With DEQM, I should get 2611x4 = 10,444 miles

So I'll only end up with 35,314 miles, even with DEQM bonus.

Right now, I'm thinking of flying BOS/LHR; BCN/JFK/BOS in Nov (not booked yet; all AA/AE metal). BOS/LHR = 3265. BCN/JFK/BOS = 3832+500 = 4332 DEQM for this trip = 7579x2 = 15,194 miles

Therefore, if I go on this November trip, I'll end the year with 35,314 + 15,194 = 50,508?

Since I'm cutting it this close, I just want to make sure my math is right so I don't end the year just short of 50k. I don't want to spend $ on MR if I end up short. Thanks in advance.

yk, you need to fly AA metal to qualify for Double EQM. Even AA codeshare flights do not qualify.

What is really in question is whether you will get 500 miles x 2 for the JFK to BOS leg. Since you have elite status AA will give you a 500 mile credit, but I'd check with AA (send them an email) to make sure that you get 500 deqm and not the actual mileage flown which will be less. Why not play it safe and fly BOS-JFK-LHR on the outbound to get enough double eqms. Have you looked into this? Does it change the cost of the airfare significantly?

Also, if you haven't bought your BOS - LAX ticket you can earn some additional miles by connecting in DFW/JFK/SFO. (albeit, AA doesn't have many flights SFO - LAX).

In spring 2009 I participated in the double eqm promo for the first time, AA's calculations and my caluculations were totally different. Nevertheless, since I requalified for plt again, I didn't contact them to equire about the numbers.

A few years ago without any double eqm promos, I had requalifed for plt, but only just, I'd flown 212 miles more than 50000. Your current situation reminds me of my dilema at that time, a MR on a one hour flight did the trick for me.

1) Correct.
2) I don't think think this could be more clear. I read it the same way you do. If you normally earn 500 EQMs for any flight of 500 miles or less, then your DEQM amount will be 100% of that 500 EQMs - 1000 EQMs total.

I did the math and will revise:
1) Correct
2) Doesn't matter.

Your 35314 and 50508 numbers are correct (assuming your mileage numbers are correct, including the 500 minimum).

It doesn't matter what DEQM you get for that one BOS-JFK as long as you get the 500 normal EQMs. Even if you got ZERO bonus EQMs your total would still be 50,008!

mrwunrfl, thanks for double-checking my math. And you're right, the DEQM for BOS/JFK doesn't matter for this; though being just 8 miles above 50k may be too close for comfort.

justshootme, the BOS/LAX trip has been ticketed. I am not a MR person and prefer to fly nonstop to my destinations. I'm lucky that I qualify for PLT for the last 3-4 yrs by doing all leisure trips. I squeezed by for '07 & '08, flying on Dec 31st in both years in order to put myself over 50k with that last leisure flight.

Anyway, for the Nov trip, I'm now thinking of simply flying BOS/JFK/BCN roundtrip. BOS/JFK/BCN = 500+3832 = 4332 miles. So flying r/t with DEQM = 4332 x 4 = 17,328 miles.

I'll end the year with 52,642 miles then.