Major revisions to AAdvantage frequent flyer program
 

American Airlines has announced major revisions to its AAdvantage frequent flyer program, including changed rules for elite status qualification, different mileage accrual rates and a revised award table, and too many other changes to list in one post. Here's the announcement: http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/pr...antage2016.jsp and here's the main discussion thread on Flyertalk: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...announced.html

I guess the general consensus is "it could have been worse" and there may even be some loopholes as yet unidentified. But it's too early to draw any big conclusions.

I was just reading about this on AA's web site. I was going to post that they are tightening the screws but I'm glad you beat me to it. At least they are giving us warning.

Received the email on it this afternoon. As a Platinum member who mostly travel on discount economy tickets for work and am interested in international travel with lounge access and the occasional upgrades, this is bad although not unexpected news. Fingers crossed I will be able to book award travel for my next trip to Australia before the March devaluation.

Thank you, Gardyloo. It doesn't look too awful, certainly not as terrible as all the angst over at Flyertalk would lead you to believe. (And that is why I'd rather read about such things at THIS board. ;) )

The undisclosed side of booking AAdvantage award travel these days, has been for some time, is the awful routing one is shown when trying to book milesaver off-peak flights. After months of trying to put something together I found that if I searched using a much greater number of miles (45,000 & 50,000 instead of 20,000) perfect itineraries became available. I suppose it's common sense that would be the case, but it is a change from past years, in my experience, and one they don't need to announce. So, across the board, things aren't what they once were. But, as mentioned, could be worse.

One thing I didn't see mentioned was inter'l flight upgrades which is what we have always done. Request upgrade and get on waiting list. If granted, then you pay $$ plus miles each way.

I'm not aware of any changes to the upgrade requirements or procedures.

Since I rarely pay for flights on American, acquire all my miles on my Citi credit card, and haven't been close to elite eligibility since I retired, all that I really care about is the redemption chart. Doesn't look too bad. However, does anyone know what the current status of OneWorld awards is? I have done three RTWs in biz on miles using a One World award and would like to do another.

<i>However, does anyone know what the current status of OneWorld awards is?</i>

They were discontinued a couple of years ago. You'd have to go point-to-point for a lot more miles.

Thanks Gardyloo - I'll start spending them on somehing else.