Soft Landing on AA has gone - RIP

[openseat]

It seems that American is tightening up AAdvantage, perhaps with the onslaught of all the DM members from US. It has been confirmed by the official representative over at FT.

This could have a big impact on those who keep up a double status via alternative year crediting of flights.

To clarify, the Soft Landing policy will be going away at the end of the year.

However, this does not change how an AAdvantage member can earn Elite status. If you currently hold Executive Platinum status (through February 28, 2014), but only earn enough Elite qualifying miles to qualify for Gold status by December 31, 2013, then you will receive the status that you meet the criteria for (as opposed to receiving a soft landing exception to Platinum status), which would go into effect March 1, 2014.

Status earned as a result of Double EQM promotions and Elite status challenges will, of course, be honored. Additionally, customers who have earned AAdvantage Gold or Platinum status as a result of the Million Miler program will continue to receive their benefits for the lifetime of those programs

FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - "Your Elite Status" email from AA: No soft landing for 2014 [CONFIRMED]

 

[vitagen]

Ouch hope QF doesn't follow

 

[simongr]

Wow - that is a big devaluation.

It doesn't encourage long term loyalty either. If you have variable travel patterns and can go from super high to super low then AA wouldn't be the program to choose if seeking status.

 

[Grooba]

perhaps with the onslaught of all the DM members from US.

Agreed, and not surprising.

 

[futaris]

Additionally, customers who have earned AAdvantage Gold or Platinum status as a result of the Million Miler program will continue to receive their benefits for the lifetime of those programs

Thankfully this is still in place...

 

[Gold Member]

Soft landing still doable if you lift the nose and flare slightly more before touchdown

 

[drron]

Glad I made my run for LTP when i did.

 

[kempvet]

I am all for tightening up the system, AAdvantage by far give more value for the miles flown than just about any other airline, AA is giving more bonuses for over elite qualifying this year, if it means they have to drop some of the non performers to make this possible, then so be it.

 

[openseat]

Glad I made my run for LTP when i did.

You are certainly fortunate to have done so. I switched over flying one year too late to make it, due to drop in travel for work and then the new million-miler rules (which are, IMHO, unfair in not counting EQP to recognise higher fares - the sort of loyalty you think they would most want). This new change will make it hard to manage AA Plt for me and going to AA Gold with only a 25% bonus means missing out on those very useful AA miles.

 

[JohnK]

Ouch hope QF doesn't follow

It is destiny that QF will follow suit....

 

[farstar]

Not good if QF follow.

Luckily will get QF life time GOLD soon, by June I will have 400 SC to go so hopefully will make it before the end of the year.

 

[Hvr]

I would imagine this is part of clearing the decks of status prior to the imminent merger with United.

Can't see any reason why Qantas would need to follow suit.

 

[wandering_fred]

I would imagine this is part of clearing the decks of status prior to the imminent merger with United.
Can't see any reason why Qantas would need to follow suit.

Hopefully you mean the merger with US Airlines.

Yes am particularly peeved that there is no differential for ticketing in the higher cabins. Even if it is the Y+ cabin that sees my $$

Will be interesting in any case. And I am too old and started crediting too late to have ever considered lifetime PLT.

Fred

 

[kempvet]

I not against the loss of a soft landing, but would like to add that perhaps roll over miles are a good idea, the bloke that has 90,000 miles and didn't reach EXP should be able to roll over the 40,000 miles into the next qualifying year (think that DL has rollover miles)