A LoyaltyLobby reader from Europe sent me two screenshots that illustrate how the changes that took effect on August 1, 2016 (read more here) have affected the number of award miles earned for partner flights when credited to AAdvantage.
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Here are the screenshots of Finnair flights on the same routes before and after:
VAA-HEL-MUC return in June:
VAA-HEL-MUC return in September:
I calculated and the number of award miles earned went down by 84%.
There are three reasons for this:
1. There are no longer 500 mile minimums on partner flights
2. The Platinum bonus went down from 100% to 60%
3. Finnair fares used to earn 100% of the miles flown (or minimum 500 miles) but now cheaper fares only earn 25%.
Conclusion
AAdvantage members that have credited partner flights into the programs should check if this still is the right choice. I have started to credit pretty much all my flight to other programs such as British Airways (may not work for all). I used to credit some flights to AAdvantage but see no reason any longer to do so.
