ARCHIVE: AAdvantage Gold & Platinum Elite Status Challenges 2004 - 2011
Nov 23, 2009, 2:07 pm
#4096
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
Seeing that I am so close to 10000, I have two choices: be satisfy with Gold or upfare the top half (which would give me 10305) for Platinum. Would the best number to call AA to upfare my ticket the same as the challenge line? I considered a MR but decided against it. Is platinum worth the extra cost? TIA
Whether it's worth it to upfare depends on the cost differential and what you expect your travel patterns to be like next year when you'll actually be taking advantage of status. Here's a good thread on GLD vs PLT: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
Nov 24, 2009, 3:37 pm
#4097
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 2
Welcome to FlyerTalk, m1k3! Whether it's worth it to upfare depends on the cost differential and what you expect your travel patterns to be like next year when you'll actually be taking advantage of status. Here's a good thread on GLD vs PLT:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
Whether it's worth it to upfare depends on the cost differential and what you expect your travel patterns to be like next year when you'll actually be taking advantage of status. Here's a good thread on GLD vs PLT: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
Nov 25, 2009, 7:34 am
#4098
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Home Airports: CAE/CLT
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, National Executive
Posts: 5,452
IMHO, the lounge access on int'l itneraries and double RDMs makes it worth it.
Will you be doing any international travel next year?
Will you be doing any international travel next year?
I’m getting ready to do my first challenge and wanted to run things by all you experts before I call in.
My itinerary:
GND – MIA (L) = 1537
MIA – SFO (L) = 2585
SFO – MIA (L) = 2585
MIA – GND (L) = 1537
Grand Total = 8244 EQP
Seeing that I am so close to 10000, I have two choices: be satisfy with Gold or upfare the top half (which would give me 10305) for Platinum. Would the best number to call AA to upfare my ticket the same as the challenge line? I considered a MR but decided against it. Is platinum worth the extra cost? TIA
My itinerary:
GND – MIA (L) = 1537
MIA – SFO (L) = 2585
SFO – MIA (L) = 2585
MIA – GND (L) = 1537
Grand Total = 8244 EQP
Seeing that I am so close to 10000, I have two choices: be satisfy with Gold or upfare the top half (which would give me 10305) for Platinum. Would the best number to call AA to upfare my ticket the same as the challenge line? I considered a MR but decided against it. Is platinum worth the extra cost? TIA
Nov 27, 2009, 11:54 am
#4099
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,637
Expiration of status when challenge stradles year end?
Here is the situation. Start a challenge on 1-Dec. One RT in December. Next trip starts at end of Dec and the return is in Jan of 2010. The return satisfies the challenge requirement. So is status until Feb 2011 or Feb 2012?
Nov 27, 2009, 12:18 pm
#4100
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
Feb 2011. The challenge would have to begin after June 15 of next year to earn status through Feb 2012.
Nov 28, 2009, 11:41 am
#4101
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SAN
Programs: AA - Gold, AS - MVPG, Marriott - Titanium
Posts: 5
Just Completed Plat Challenge
Hi All,
Just completed my platinum challenge! (It took a couple BOS-SAN flights in deep discount, I'm envious of everyone who was able to get their points in one long trip). I wanted to thank this board and FT in general for letting me know about this shortcut, and I look forward to my transition into a miles/points obsessed traveler.
Thanks,
Nate
Just completed my platinum challenge! (It took a couple BOS-SAN flights in deep discount, I'm envious of everyone who was able to get their points in one long trip). I wanted to thank this board and FT in general for letting me know about this shortcut, and I look forward to my transition into a miles/points obsessed traveler.
Thanks,
Nate
Nov 28, 2009, 11:59 am
#4102
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
Just completed my platinum challenge! (It took a couple BOS-SAN flights in deep discount, I'm envious of everyone who was able to get their points in one long trip). I wanted to thank this board and FT in general for letting me know about this shortcut, and I look forward to my transition into a miles/points obsessed traveler.
Nov 28, 2009, 1:08 pm
#4103
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
Dec 5, 2009, 1:10 pm
#4104
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: AA PP, DL Plat, IHG Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 54
I just signed up for a Platinum Challenge starting 1 January 2010. I'll be flying to the Persian Gulf for about a week, I figured I might as well get PLAT for making that trip!
Now the question. I arrive in Bahrain on March 13, I leave the 21st, will my status post by then? I might as well enjoy some of the benefits on my longest flight of the year on my way back.
My itinerary during those days is
IAD-LAX Feb 11 2288 Miles, 1144 EQM
LAX-DFW-DCA Feb 16 2427 Miles, 1213 EQM
DCA-DFW-LHR-BAH Mar 12 9111 Miles, 9111 EQM
BAH-LHR-DFW-DCA Mar 21 9111 EQM, 9111 EQM
I'll be at 11'468 EQM by the time I get to Bahrain.
Now the question. I arrive in Bahrain on March 13, I leave the 21st, will my status post by then? I might as well enjoy some of the benefits on my longest flight of the year on my way back.
My itinerary during those days is
IAD-LAX Feb 11 2288 Miles, 1144 EQM
LAX-DFW-DCA Feb 16 2427 Miles, 1213 EQM
DCA-DFW-LHR-BAH Mar 12 9111 Miles, 9111 EQM
BAH-LHR-DFW-DCA Mar 21 9111 EQM, 9111 EQM
I'll be at 11'468 EQM by the time I get to Bahrain.
Dec 5, 2009, 2:43 pm
#4105
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA EXP, 1 MM, AC, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver, Hertz 5*
Posts: 4,010
I just signed up for a Platinum Challenge starting 1 January 2010. I'll be flying to the Persian Gulf for about a week, I figured I might as well get PLAT for making that trip!
Now the question. I arrive in Bahrain on March 13, I leave the 21st, will my status post by then? I might as well enjoy some of the benefits on my longest flight of the year on my way back.
My itinerary during those days is
IAD-LAX Feb 11 2288 Miles, 1144 EQM
LAX-DFW-DCA Feb 16 2427 Miles, 1213 EQM
DCA-DFW-LHR-BAH Mar 12 9111 Miles, 9111 EQM
BAH-LHR-DFW-DCA Mar 21 9111 EQM, 9111 EQM
I'll be at 11'468 EQM by the time I get to Bahrain.
Now the question. I arrive in Bahrain on March 13, I leave the 21st, will my status post by then? I might as well enjoy some of the benefits on my longest flight of the year on my way back.
My itinerary during those days is
IAD-LAX Feb 11 2288 Miles, 1144 EQM
LAX-DFW-DCA Feb 16 2427 Miles, 1213 EQM
DCA-DFW-LHR-BAH Mar 12 9111 Miles, 9111 EQM
BAH-LHR-DFW-DCA Mar 21 9111 EQM, 9111 EQM
I'll be at 11'468 EQM by the time I get to Bahrain.
First, EQM doesn't matter, it's EQP. You probably have the correct EQP figures for IAD-LAX and LAX-DFW-DCA (0.5 EQP per mile on deep discount tickets). But if you're traveling in a deep discount fare class DCA-DFW-LHR-BAH, you'll only get 4556 EQP and would still be short of PLT.
If you're traveling on a fare where you get 1.0 EQP per mile flown on the Bahrain trip, then you'll make the PLT challenge and there's a good chance your status would update before the return.
Dec 5, 2009, 2:50 pm
#4106
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
You beat me to it, but I was going to post something very similar. Elmo may have some re-calculating to do.
Also, I'm wondering why the OP signed up for the challenge as of Jan 1 since it appears the first flight is not until March 13. Seems to me it would be better to wait until Mar 1 to begin the challenge.
Also, I'm wondering why the OP signed up for the challenge as of Jan 1 since it appears the first flight is not until March 13. Seems to me it would be better to wait until Mar 1 to begin the challenge.
Dec 5, 2009, 4:49 pm
#4107
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
elmothehobo: Could you please post the airline and booking code for each of the four flights? If you don't know the booking codes, please call AA or your travel agent and find out. A reliable answer to your question will need this information.
Dec 6, 2009, 6:47 am
#4108
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Home Airports: CAE/CLT
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, National Executive
Posts: 5,452
Welcome Nate!
Hope to see you become a contributing member as your FF savvy grows!
Hope to see you become a contributing member as your FF savvy grows!
Hi All,
Just completed my platinum challenge! (It took a couple BOS-SAN flights in deep discount, I'm envious of everyone who was able to get their points in one long trip). I wanted to thank this board and FT in general for letting me know about this shortcut, and I look forward to my transition into a miles/points obsessed traveler.
Thanks,
Nate
Just completed my platinum challenge! (It took a couple BOS-SAN flights in deep discount, I'm envious of everyone who was able to get their points in one long trip). I wanted to thank this board and FT in general for letting me know about this shortcut, and I look forward to my transition into a miles/points obsessed traveler.
Thanks,
Nate
Dec 6, 2009, 6:49 am
#4109
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Home Airports: CAE/CLT
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, National Executive
Posts: 5,452
Are you flying AA codeshares to Bahrain?
I just signed up for a Platinum Challenge starting 1 January 2010. I'll be flying to the Persian Gulf for about a week, I figured I might as well get PLAT for making that trip!
Now the question. I arrive in Bahrain on March 13, I leave the 21st, will my status post by then? I might as well enjoy some of the benefits on my longest flight of the year on my way back.
My itinerary during those days is
IAD-LAX Feb 11 2288 Miles, 1144 EQM
LAX-DFW-DCA Feb 16 2427 Miles, 1213 EQM
DCA-DFW-LHR-BAH Mar 12 9111 Miles, 9111 EQM
BAH-LHR-DFW-DCA Mar 21 9111 EQM, 9111 EQM
I'll be at 11'468 EQM by the time I get to Bahrain.
Now the question. I arrive in Bahrain on March 13, I leave the 21st, will my status post by then? I might as well enjoy some of the benefits on my longest flight of the year on my way back.
My itinerary during those days is
IAD-LAX Feb 11 2288 Miles, 1144 EQM
LAX-DFW-DCA Feb 16 2427 Miles, 1213 EQM
DCA-DFW-LHR-BAH Mar 12 9111 Miles, 9111 EQM
BAH-LHR-DFW-DCA Mar 21 9111 EQM, 9111 EQM
I'll be at 11'468 EQM by the time I get to Bahrain.
Dec 6, 2009, 10:34 am
#4110
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: AA PP, DL Plat, IHG Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 54
I think your figures are mixed up.
First, EQM doesn't matter, it's EQP. You probably have the correct EQP figures for IAD-LAX and LAX-DFW-DCA (0.5 EQP per mile on deep discount tickets). But if you're traveling in a deep discount fare class DCA-DFW-LHR-BAH, you'll only get 4556 EQP and would still be short of PLT.
If you're traveling on a fare where you get 1.0 EQP per mile flown on the Bahrain trip, then you'll make the PLT challenge and there's a good chance your status would update before the return.
First, EQM doesn't matter, it's EQP. You probably have the correct EQP figures for IAD-LAX and LAX-DFW-DCA (0.5 EQP per mile on deep discount tickets). But if you're traveling in a deep discount fare class DCA-DFW-LHR-BAH, you'll only get 4556 EQP and would still be short of PLT.
If you're traveling on a fare where you get 1.0 EQP per mile flown on the Bahrain trip, then you'll make the PLT challenge and there's a good chance your status would update before the return.
DCA-DFW-LHR-BAH vv is booked in L, so it's 1.0 EQP, the trip to Los Angeles is in deep discount, so .5 EQP.
I'm also flying AA codeshare to Bahrain, on BA. Turns out American and Gulf Airways don't codeshare anymore, which is too bad, I was looking forward to trying them out.