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American Airlines Makes Drastic Change to Mileage Earning Rates on Partners
JT Genter
Contributor
JT is a location-independent digital nomad traveling 250,000+ miles each year with his wife Katie.
July 16, 2016
•
13 min read
American Airlines Makes Drastic Change to Mileage Earning Rates on Partners
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Back in June, American Airlines announced that it was switching to a revenue-based mileage program effective August 1. However, the carrier didn't clarify whether or not this change to earning award miles on AA flights would mean changes to earning award miles on partner airlines as well.
At the time, American Airlines' announcement only mentioned that earning award miles on partner airlines would still be calculated the same way: Flight Miles x Fare Class Rate
On most flights marketed by partner airlines, you'll earn award miles based on a percentage of the flight distance and the fare class of your ticket.
Last night, American Airlines made changes to the rates used to determine AAdvantage award mileage earnings on partner flights. These changes are drastic and affect almost every partner airline, but the changes come without any announcement or notice from American Airlines. Worst of all, the changes go into effect in just two weeks!
Positive Changes
There are a few positive changes as part of these unannounced modifications. No surprise, they're mostly for first and business-class flights. These rates apply to flights both operated and marketed by the airlines below, including those operated by partners. For example, a first-class flight ticketed by Finnair but operated by AA will earn 300% of the miles flown (Finnair does not offer a first-class cabin of its own).
Below are all of the positive changes we found. Note that the "Increase" and "Decrease" columns below represent a percentage of the flight distance, not a percentage increase from previous earning rates.
| Airline | Fare Class | Cabin | Previous Rate | New Rate | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Air Berlin | J | Business | 125% | 150% | 25% |
Air Berlin | T | Business | -- | 110% | |
Alaska Airlines | F | First | 150% | 175% | 25% |
Alaska Airlines | R | Economy | -- | 25% | |
Etihad Airways | P | First | -- | 400% | |
Etihad Airways | Z | Business | -- | 100% | |
Etihad Airways | G | Economy | -- | 25% | |
Fiji Airways | J, D | Business | 125% | 150% | 25% |
Finnair | F | First | -- | 300% | |
Finnair | A | First | -- | 150% | |
Finnair | J, D, C | Business | 125% | 200% | 75% |
Hawaiian Airlines | J, P | Business | 125% | 150% | 25% |
Hawaiian Airlines | K, L | Economy | 0% | 25% | 25% |
LAN Airlines | C | Business | -- | 125% | |
Royal Jordanian | J | Business | 125% | 150% | 25% |
Negative Changes
While there are some positive changes, there are many, many negative changes. Most of the negative changes are to economy flights, but some "discount" business class and premium economy classes are affected as well.
Here are all of the negative changes we found:
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| Airline | Fare Class | Cabin | Previous Rate | New Rate | Decrease |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
airberlin | H, K, M | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
airberlin | L, V, S | Economy | 100% | 25% | 75% |
Alaska Airlines | M, H | Economy | 100% | 75% | 25% |
Alaska Airlines | Q, L, V, K, G | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
Alaska Airlines | T | Economy | 100% | 25% | 75% |
Alaska Airlines | U | Economy | 100% | -- | |
British Airways | H | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
Cathay Pacific | R, E | Premium Economy | 110% | 100% | 10% |
Cathay Pacific | B, H | Economy | 100% | 75% | 25% |
Etihad Airways | W | Business | 125% | 100% | 25% |
Etihad Airways | B, H, K | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
Etihad Airways | M, Q, L, V, U, E | Economy | 100% | 25% | 75% |
Fiji Airways | I | Business | 125% | 100% | 25% |
Fiji Airways | B, H, L | Economy | 100% | 75% | 25% |
Fiji Airways | K, M, O, Q, S, W | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
Fiji Airways | G, V | Economy | 100% | 35% | 65% |
Fiji Airways | N, T | Economy | 75% | 35% | 40% |
Finnair | H, K, L, M, P, V, T | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
Finnair | A, G, N, O, Q, R, S, W, Z | Economy | 100% | 25% | 75% |
Gulf Air | D, I | Business | 125% | 100% | 25% |
Gulf Air | B, H, K, L, M, X | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
Gulf Air | E, N, O, U, Q, V, S, W | Economy | 100% | 25% | 75% |
Hawaiian Airlines | V, B, S, N, M | Economy | 100% | 75% | 25% |
Hawaiian Airlines | I, H, G | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
Iberia | H | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
Japan Airlines | I | Business | 80% | 70% | 10% |
Jet Airways | J, Z, I, P | Business | 125% | 100% | 25% |
Jet Airways | M, T | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
Jet Airways | U | Economy | 100% | 25% | 75% |
Jet Airways | N, L, Q, S | Economy | 50% | 25% | 25% |
LAN Airlines | D, I, Z | Business | 125% | 100% | 25% |
LAN Airlines | W | Premium Economy | 125% | 110% | 15% |
LAN Airlines | P | Premium Economy | 125% | 100% | 25% |
LAN Airlines | H | Economy | 100% | 75% | 25% |
LAN Airlines | K, M, L, V | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
LAN Airlines | X | Economy | 100% | 25% | 75% |
LAN Airlines | S, N, Q, O, G, A | Economy | 100% | 25% | 75% |
Malaysia Airlines | Z | Business | 125% | 100% | 25% |
Malaysia Airlines | H | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
Malaysia Airlines | K | Economy | 70% | 50% | 20% |
Malaysia Airlines | M | Economy | 70% | 25% | 45% |
Malaysia Airlines | L, S, V | Economy | 50% | 25% | 25% |
Qatar | I, R | Business | 125% | 100% | 25% |
Qatar | B, H | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
Qatar | K, M, L, V | Economy | 75% | 50% | 25% |
Qatar | G, N, S, Q | Economy | 50% | 25% | 25% |
Royal Jordanian | I | Business | 125% | 100% | 25% |
Royal Jordanian | N | Economy | 100% | 0% | 100% |
Royal Jordanian | B, H, K, M, S, V | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
Royal Jordanian | Q | Economy | 50% | 25% | 25% |
SriLankan Airlines | D, I | Business | 125% | 100% | 25% |
SriLankan Airlines | B, P, H | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
SriLankan Airlines | K, W, M, E | Economy | 75% | 50% | 25% |
SriLankan Airlines | L, R, V, S, N, Q | Economy | 75% | 25% | 50% |
TAM Airlines | I, Z | Business | 125% | 100% | 25% |
TAM Airlines | B | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
TAM Airlines | X, B, K, M, N, Q, O, H | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
TAM Airlines | L, V, S, G, A | Economy | 100% | 25% | 75% |
WestJet | Q, L, M | Economy | 100% | 75% | 25% |
WestJet | P, G | Economy | 100% | 50% | 50% |
WestJet | X, D | Economy | 100% | 30% | 70% |
For those not counting, that's 180 partner fare classes that have been negatively adjusted.
What to do about the changes
To see confirm whether or not you're affected by these changes, check to see if you have any flights after August 1 that have an American Airlines' partner flight number. If so, check the fare class on your ticket and compare it to the chart of changes above to see if your ticket is impacted by these changes.
With past changes, American Airlines has been unwilling to "grandfather" the rates in effect when you booked your flights. However, considering the last-minute nature of these changes, you can certainly contact American Airlines to voice your displeasure with the changes.
If your flights have been drastically effected, you might want to consider crediting these flights to another airline's mileage program. The website Where To Credit is a great tool to review the possibilities. Make sure to double-check the rates on the airline's website, as Where To Credit may not have all recent changes updated.
Bottom Line
We're disappointed to see American Airlines devalue its AAdvantage earning rates yet again. However, it's especially disappointing that American Airlines made these negative changes without an announcement and just two weeks before the new rates go into effect. After all, most travelers don't wait until two weeks prior to a trip to book their flights.
Since American Airlines doesn't retroactively apply the award mileage rates in effect at booking, this means there will be many travelers who are adversely affected by these changes. While most travelers don't consider award mileage earning rates before booking a flight — unless you're doing a mileage run — slashing the award miles travelers would have otherwise earned is a very customer-unfriendly move.
Are you affected by these changes?
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.