For those trying to get AA to match status. . .
I just called AA and gave the lady my story about being UA 1K/1P for 5 years, and fly ORD-GIG monthly normally on UA. Due to costs, I've gone AA for the past three trips, and was looking to see if she could either 1) match my 1P status or 2) give me retroactive credit for the Platinum Challenge. I also indicated that this would be a big factor in whether I use AA or UA for my upcoming trips as the international lounges are a big perk for me. Still the answer I got to both requests was a polite 'no', with seemingly no room for negotiating. And yes, there is now as $150 fee to start the Platinum Challenge. I declined - I'll get Platinum anyways if I keep flying them and now have Gold. But it was disappointing to see them not show any flexibility.