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American Airlines Details 2019 Partner Earning Rate Changes
JT Genter
Contributor
JT is a location-independent digital nomad traveling 250,000+ miles each year with his wife Katie.
Nov. 05, 2018
•
6 min read
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This morning, American Airlines announced changes to its AAdvantage program for 2019. The most-notable changes include increasing the Elite Qualifying Dollar (EQD) requirements for top-tier Executive Platinum elite status and adding benefits for extremely-frequent flyers. Meanwhile, the Special Fares shortcut to earning elite status was decimated.
The fourth element that AA announced were changes to the "amount of EQMs members will earn when flying on one of our transatlantic or transpacific joint business partners — British Airways, Iberia, Finnair and Japan Airlines." However, the changes weren't detailed until they went live online at 11am ET.
Now we've been able to digest the changes. From what we've seen so far, the Elite Qualifying Dollar and Elite Qualifying Segment rates for all partner fares will remain unchanged from 2018 to 2019. The only thing changing will be the rates at which you earn Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) on joint venture partners. And if you've been holding your breath, you can let it out now. Many of the earning rates are increasing, and none are decreasing.
Here are the details:
Expensive Economy Fares on Joint Venture Partners
In 2018, all American Airlines-marketed economy fares — except Basic Economy and full-fare Y fares — earn 1 Elite Qualifying Mile per flight mile. Meanwhile, most partner economy fares earn just 0.5 EQM per mile. Currently, you have to book a full-fare economy ticket on British Airways, Finnair, Iberia or Japan Airlines to get the same earning rate that you'd receive on AA fares. This doesn't make much sense, as American Airlines has joint ventures with these airlines and should (in theory) try to treat tickets purchased on these carriers somewhat consistently.
That penalty for flying on one of these joint-venture airlines is being lessened in 2019 — but only for the more expensive economy fare classes. Here's how these are changing:
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| Airline | Booking Code | 2018 EQM Rate | 2019 EQM Rate | EQD Rate (unchanged) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
British Airways | H,K,L,M,N,S,V | 0.5 | 1.0 | 10% |
Iberia | H,A,G,K,L,M,F,N,S,V,Z | 0.5 | 1.0 | 10% |
Finnair | H,K,L,M,P,V,T | 0.5 | 1.0 | 10% |
Japan Airlines | H,K,M | 0.5 | 1.0 | 14% |
Japan Airlines | L,V,S,G,O,R | 0.5 | 1.0 | 10% |
However, discount economy fares on these airlines will remain at just 0.5 EQM per mile:
| Airline | Booking Code | 2018 EQM Rate | 2019 EQM Rate | EQD Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
British Airways | G,O,Q | 0.5 | 0.5 | 5% |
Iberia | O,Q | 0.5 | 0.5 | 5% |
Finnair | A,G,N,O,Q,R,S,W,Z | 0.5 | 0.5 | 5% |
Japan Airlines | N,Q | 0.5 | 0.5 | 6% |
Business and First Class Fares on Joint Venture Partners
As with economy fares, American Airlines currently imposes an effective "EQM penalty" for choosing to book business and first class tickets with its joint venture partners instead of booking those tickets through AA. That's set to be rectified in 2019 to closely match how EQMs are earned on AA flights. Full-fare business class and first class fares will earn 3.0 EQMs per mile, while other business/first fares will earn 2.0 EQMs per mile. These are all increases from the current rate.
Here's how these fares are changing for American's joint venture partners:
| Airline | Booking Code | 2018 EQM Rate | 2019 EQM Rate | EQD Rate (unchanged) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
British Airways | J | 1.5 | 3.0 | 25% |
British Airways | C,D,I,R | 1.5 | 2.0 | 25% |
Iberia | J | 1.5 | 3.0 | 25% |
Iberia | C,D,I,R | 1.5 | 2.0 | 25% |
Finnair | J | 1.5 | 3.0 | 40% |
Finnair | D,C | 1.5 | 2.0 | 40% |
Finnair | I | 1.5 | 2.0 | 25% |
Japan Airlines | J | 1.5 | 3.0 | 25% |
Japan Airlines | C,D,X | 1.5 | 2.0 | 25% |
Japan Airlines | I | 1.5 | 2.0 | 14% |
Meanwhile, joint venture partner first class fares will use the following chart:
| Airline | Booking Code | 2018 EQM Rate | 2019 EQM Rate | EQD Rate (unchanged) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
British Airways | F | 1.5 | 3.0 | 30% |
British Airways | A | 1.5 | 2.0 | 30% |
Iberia | F | 1.5 | 3.0 | 30% |
Iberia | A | 1.5 | 2.0 | 30% |
Finnair | F | 1.5 | 3.0 | 60% |
Finnair | A | 1.5 | 2.0 | 30% |
Japan Airlines | F | 1.5 | 3.0 | 30% |
Japan Airlines | A | 1.5 | 2.0 | 30% |
Bottom Line
The changes AA announced this morning are a mixed bag; they are positive for the ultra-frequent flyers (who meet the higher spending requirement) but negative to those of us who love to fly on Special Fares. However, these changes to partner EQM rates are all positive. Expensive economy fares and business/first class fares will all earn EQMs at a higher rate than they currently do starting in 2019. In addition, there are no negative changes to discount economy flyers who book the cheapest fares on American's joint venture partners.
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Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$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
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
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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.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $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.