Small correction: Silver cardholders can still earn 3,000 EQD after $50,000 in spend.
One of the benefits of the Barclays American Airlines cards is the ability to earn Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD’s). Cardholders that spend $25,000 in a calendar year receive 3,000 EQDs and Aviator silver cards can spend a further $25,000 and receive another 3,000 EQD (e.g $50,000 spend for a total of 6,000 EQD). Barclays is removing this benefit, when it’s removed will depend on when you signed up for the card.
- If you signed up before 1/1/2018 then starting 1/1/2019 it will no longer be possible to earn EQD
- If you signed up after 1/1/2018 but before 10/31/2018 then starting 1/1/2020 it will no longer be possible to earn EQD
Keep in mind it has already been announced that Barclays will be improving benefits on this card in 2019, we need to see what those improvements are before understanding this EQD change fully. Personally I’d never spend $25,000 on any of these cards anyway and I also don’t care about elite status – but I know some people did utilize this card benefit so it will be interesting to see what it is replaced with. Also worth remembering you can currently get a 60,500 mile bonus on the personal card and 60,000 mile bonus on the business card.
