Help Desk: AAdvantage Elite Status Challenge (Gold and Platinum)
Help Desk: AAdvantage Elite Status Challenges (Gold and Platinum)
Elite Status Challenges are unpublished offers from American Airlines AAdvantage designed for those who want a shortcut to AAdvantage Gold or Platinum status because they will be flying American Airlines frequently and wish to enjoy elite benefits more quickly. These three month Challenges are subject to enrollment fees, have defined start and end dates that can affect how long your status lasts, and are based on elite-qualifying points, not miles. Status is conferred upon successful completion of a Challenge. Officially, there is no corresponding EXP Challenge, although a very small number of targeted frequent fliers with the highest status on another airline and/or influential travel-related work position may be invited to participate in an analogous offer. Direct elite status matches are offered only by invitation for a very small number of top fliers.
Please see the following resources for full details on Elite Status Challenges:
Additional Information on AAdvantage Elite Status:
There are three elite levels, Gold (GLD), Platinum (PLT), and Executive Platinum (EXP or EP), with increasing benefits at each level, including preferred seating, check-in, security lines, and boarding; bonus miles; and various free upgrade instruments, discounts, and fee waivers.
To assist members with questions about Elite Status Challenges that they have not been able to answer on their own using the above resources, the AA Moderator team has decided to try out a new type of thread in the forum, designated as "Help Desk". The previous thread on this topic has effectively worked this way for several years, and based on how things go with this first thread, we will consider similar threads on other commonly broached topics in the future.
New threads on this topic will be merged into this one and bumped by the moderators as necessary. As such, we do not expect that this thread will develop into a searchable database, but that it will nonetheless provide a valuable resource to members. As well, we may shed / pare down posts from time to time to a trailing thread or similar device.
Our goal is to provide a place where members can feel welcome to post such questions and expect helpful, accurate responses. In this way, we hope to accommodate the needs and desires of both new and veteran members - those who aren't sure they are interpreting the available resources correctly can ask for help without fear of snarky-appearing responses; those who do not wish to participate in such threads are invited and, indeed, encouraged, to ignore this thread.
Please be forewarned: This thread will be subject to heavy moderation. Posts that are incorrect will be subject to deletion without notice - DO NOT POST answers unless you are 100% sure your answer is complete and correct. Posts that are unhelpful or off-topic will also be subject to deletion without notice - DO NOT POST unless you can be friendly, helpful, concise, and salient.
Finally, a few guidelines for members posting queries to this thread:
• Please DO make an effort to review the above resources before posting here.
• Please DO try to give as much information as possible related to your Challenge plans, flights, etc.
• Please DO understand it could take some time for answers (especially on holidays and weekends.)
• Please DO thank helpful members volunteering to reply to your questions.
Sincerely,
The AA Moderator Team
P.S. Yes, this thread is intended to replace the unwieldy Challenge thread, and eventually it is likely more Help Desk threads will be deployed, linked to in the Wiki and the Sticky (rather than actually being stuck themselves.) This thread is temporarily "stuck" for members' familiarization and convenience.
Please use PM or RBP for comments, suggestions, recommendations, etc.
P.P.S. Our thanks to Moderator dstan, who did much of the conceptual and design work on this idea.
__________________ Lend a hand up with Kiva; far more than a hand out.
"Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu" (Isizulu)
Last edited by dstan; Jul 31, 09 at 11:39 am.
Reason: minor edits
okay, so I've decided to throw in my $200 and sign up for the platinum challenge.
before I call AA, I just wanted to confirm a few things:
(1) my AAdvantage acct was opened in the US and I have always maintained
a US mailing address on record. is this enough to sign up for platinum challenge?
I'm asking because my primary actual residence is outside of the US. The ticket
was also paid for in foreign currency. AA can clearly see that I'm beginning my
trip from Argentina. Prior to the trip, I'm flying on UA to Argentina first.
(2) is it safe to say that I won't get my $200 back if for some reason I had to
cancel my entire trip at the very last minute? Is it safer for me to wait and call
AA to sign up for the challenge only a week before the start of my trip? Is that enough
to get the ball rolling?
(3) is it enough that my JL flights have my AAdvantage listed on them when
I'm viewing my reservation on AA? Or will I need to give the number to JL at
check-in again? Do JL flights(paid J class) count towards the platinum challenge?
(4) do I accumulate 100% mileage bonus as soon as I pass the 10,000 QP
requirement? if so, does it include the flight that crosses over the threshold?
(5) how long after I reach 10,000 points can I expect to receive my platinum card?
okay, so I've decided to throw in my $200 and sign up for the platinum challenge.
before I call AA, I just wanted to confirm a few things:
(1) my AAdvantage acct was opened in the US and I have always maintained
a US mailing address on record. is this enough to sign up for platinum challenge?
I'm asking because my primary actual residence is outside of the US. The ticket
was also paid for in foreign currency. AA can clearly see that I'm beginning my
trip from Argentina. Prior to the trip, I'm flying on UA to Argentina first.
I have used only one address in my entire AA life, so I am no expert, but it should not even come up. You sign up with your AAdvantage number. They communicate with you via email. BTW, why are you flying UA? If there is an AA option, take it!
Quote:
(2) is it safe to say that I won't get my $200 back if for some reason I had to
cancel my entire trip at the very last minute? Is it safer for me to wait and call AA to sign up for the challenge only a week before the start of my trip? Is that enough to get the ball rolling?
You can read the fine print, but I would think the $200 would be non-refundable. Challenges can begin on the 1st or 16th of any month. So if your flight begins on Nov 2, you should enroll before Oct 16.
Quote:
(3) is it enough that my JL flights have my AAdvantage listed on them when
I'm viewing my reservation on AA? Or will I need to give the number to JL at
check-in again? Do JL flights(paid J class) count towards the platinum challenge?
If you bought tickets from AA, they would have communicated to JL. If from a TA, well double-check with JL. Actually you should double-check with JL anyway. JL flights will give you EQ Miles/Points, maybe fewer than AA would have and as dstan explains below they won't count towards the challenge, but it wouldn't change the game for you: I think you'd have successfully completed the challenge before your first JL flight. These JL EQ Miles/Points will count towards future requalification or EXP level.
Quote:
(4) do I accumulate 100% mileage bonus as soon as I pass the 10,000 QP requirement? if so, does it include the flight that crosses over the threshold?
Yes, and yes.
(5) how long after I reach 10,000 points can I expect to receive my platinum card?
A few weeks? However, your boarding passes should start showing your status immediately and you should be able to access One World lounges too (when departing internationally on One World flights). The card will be mailed to your address on record, I hope someone would collect it for you?
(3) is it enough that my JL flights have my AAdvantage listed on them when I'm viewing my reservation on AA? Or will I need to give the number to JL at check-in again? Do JL flights(paid J class) count towards the platinum challenge?
As long as your AAdvantage number is in the reservation, you should not need to reiterate at check-in, but just check your ticket stub.
However, while your JL flights will earn AA miles/points according to the normal rules [AA.com; wiki], unfortunately, those EQP will NOT count toward your Challenge UNLESS you booked the flights as an AA codeshare with an AA flight number on your ticket.
This is stated explicitly on the wiki Challenge page:
Quote:
As of January 2007, only flights marketed by AA (with an AA flight number) are eligible for earning points that count towards the completion of a Challenge. You can still fly on a non-AA metal flight operated by a partner, but you must make sure that you have booked it with an AA codeshare flight number. (Previously, points earned on partner-marketed flights were eligible, but that is no longer the case).
[If Argen_Tina's post was duplicate then mine must have been too. Deleted pending clarification.]
no my browswer was acting strange and I thought I had submitted a duplicate post... but apparently I didn't... but oh well....
I also just checked my AAdvantage acct but nothing shows that I'm signed up for the platinum challenge. Is this normal? I noticed there's also a elite rewards promotion for elite members. (the one below the double elite qualifying miles promotion) It won't let me register for the promotion... probably because I'm not elite yet. But since I'm doing the platinum challenge, will I be able to register once I go past the 5000 or 10000 points mark?
I also just checked my AAdvantage acct but nothing shows that I'm signed up for the platinum challenge. Is this normal?
Nothing will show on your AAdvantage acct. IIRC they send you a confirmation email - but maybe you needed to request it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Argen_Tina
I noticed there's also a elite rewards promotion for elite members. (the one below the double elite qualifying miles promotion) It won't let me register for the promotion... probably because I'm not elite yet. But since I'm doing the platinum challenge, will I be able to register once I go past the 5000 or 10000 points mark?
Thanks!
Tina
If you have registered for the Platinum Challenge, then nothing special happens when you pass the 5,000EQP that would satisfy the Gold Challenge. You have to wait until you reach the 10,000EQP that satisfies your Platinum Challenge. Your status will then change to Platinum as soon as the EQPs post.
no my browswer was acting strange and I thought I had submitted a duplicate post... but apparently I didn't... but oh well....
In any event, best to leave that detailed story deleted. I was probably one of the very few who read it.
Quote:
I also just checked my AAdvantage acct but nothing shows that I'm signed up for the platinum challenge. Is this normal?
Yes. (I tend to be over-careful about such matters, so I'd save the confirmation email and also make sure that my credit card was actually charged for $200. In case of any deviation, call again, or email since that is cheaper.)
Quote:
I noticed there's also a elite rewards promotion...It won't let me register for the promotion... probably because I'm not elite yet. But since I'm doing the platinum challenge, will I be able to register once I go past the 5000 or 10000 points mark?
I am surprised as the T&C state: "...AAdvantage members who are AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Gold members as of December 31, 2009." Anyway, don't worry about it for now. Once you have earned your 10K points, you'd be able to register for it. Do it ASAP then, although in principle you have until Dec 15. (You are not registered for Gold, so nothing special happens at 5K.)
It is also the lesser of the two benefits. If you can, you should go for EXP, rather than a consolation "reward" for having missed EXP. Well depends on how close you will be to EXP. But register anyway, no harm in getting what you can.
Very off topic here, but I'd recommend the OP look into a VOIP service like Skype to call USA numbers (and elsewhere) if she does so with any degree of regularity. My Skype program allows me to call any (cell or landline) phone in the USA and Canada unlimited by time for about USD $9.95 monthly, from anywhere in the world.
Back on topic, I'd also preserve the e-mail confirming the Challenge, and note the charge as it shows up in my credit card report, in case there is any difficulty, but we've not heard about any problems once someone has been accepted - even though not all receive the confirming e-mail.
It all probably seems more complicated than it actually is, but it will soon be over. Earn the 10,000 Elite-Qualifying Points, they post, you're Platinum / Sapphire. ¡Y ya!
__________________ Lend a hand up with Kiva; far more than a hand out.
Check the miles on Great Circle Mapper, multiply miles by points per mile on given fare, and there you have it: link - 10,065 by GC reckoning, and they are pretty close (even AA often varies month to month by a mile or two.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by skit53
I am about to sign up for the platinum challenge later this year and I just wanted to double check that I did my math right and that I'll qualify.
Route and class I'm going to be flying:
etc. <redacted>
I think I'll end up with 10066 points. Can anyone confirm this for me?
Thanks.
__________________ Lend a hand up with Kiva; far more than a hand out.
"Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu" (Isizulu)
Last edited by JDiver; Oct 2, 09 at 3:54 pm.
Reason: redact itinerary
Check the miles on Great Circle Mapper, multiply miles by points per mile on given fare, and there you have it: link - 10,065 by GC reckoning, and they are pretty close (even AA often varies month to month by a mile or two.)
Thanks, that's exactly what I did. I just wanted to double check I didn't screw up somewhere along the line. Thanks!
Help Desk: AAdvantage Elite Status Challenge (Gold and Platinum)
Is it safer for me to wait and call
Deleted pending clarification.]
