Mar 21, 2013, 3:13 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
HELP DESK: AAdvantage Elite Status Challenge (Gold and Platinum)
Challenges may no longer be enrolled in as of 6 Oct; hard end date 23 Dec 2015 -
but some reporting success 6 Oct backdating to 23 Sep by supervisors
This is the archived thread about the now defunct AAdvantage elite Gold and Platinum status challenge. The current thread can be read here.
Challenges may no longer be enrolled in as of 6 Oct; hard end date 23 Dec 2015 -
but some reporting success 6 Oct backdating to 23 Sep by supervisors
This is the archived thread about the now defunct AAdvantage elite Gold and Platinum status challenge. The current thread can be read here.
NOTE: Challenges were closed off September 23 2015, at least for the remainder of 2015 - some have succeeded in enrolling and backdating to 23 Sep.
It is possible a new, remodeled challenge will be announced in or for 2016. That discussion is here: Original Gold / Platinum Challenge Ended 23 Sep '15. New program to come?
This thread is now dedicated to requests for assistance and responses to clarify challenge requirements for those members currently engaged in challenges and related issues. To discuss the potential and form of any future challenge, please use the link provided above.
NOTE: The rules for the Challenge at the time of closure are preserved below. The date by which the last person would have completed this challenge would be 23 December 2015.
It is possible a new, remodeled challenge will be announced in or for 2016. That discussion is here: Original Gold / Platinum Challenge Ended 23 Sep '15. New program to come?
This thread is now dedicated to requests for assistance and responses to clarify challenge requirements for those members currently engaged in challenges and related issues. To discuss the potential and form of any future challenge, please use the link provided above.
NOTE: The rules for the Challenge at the time of closure are preserved below. The date by which the last person would have completed this challenge would be 23 December 2015.
Note: The four AA segment minimum required for regular status qualification does not apply to completing the challenge.
Class of service, status or other bonus miles are redeemable miles and thus do not count for the challenge. Class of service is the reigning factor in calculating the points earned per mile flown: the base points per mile charts for the various fare buckets on qualifying airlines are here.
Note: The "Reach elite status faster" promotion awarding 2 or even 3 EQ Points per mile for flying premium fares through 2015 does not apply to the challenge; challenge flyers will only have a maximum of 1.5 base EQP per base EQ Mile considered for challenge-earned status. The extra points are considered bonus points and are only applicable for earning "normal", non-challenge status.
Though one earned status bonus miles on the qualifying flight at one time, that is no longer possible. Status bonus miles will accrue on the next eligible flight after your status qualifying flight.
Also see (FT) Help Understanding Status, Points / Miles & Segments: EQM vs EQP (merged thread) for further assistance with the miles-EQMiles-points issue.
For miles calculations, many use the Great Circle Mapper tool
*for Platinum, Jan-Jun $200, Jul - Dec $240 - presumably for the max nine months of status vs. the max of 20 months $240 of status. Occasionally, there are "sales" reductions; they seem to be about 10%.
Challenges begun before June 16 of a given year earn status for the remainder of that year and the first two months of the following year (8-14 months total); challenges begun on or after June 16 grant status for the remainder of that year, the following year, and the first two months of the year after (14-20 months total). Challenges can begin anytime (not previously the case) and can even be backdated up to two weeks as far as we know (as of Nov 2013).
To sign up for a challenge, call AAdvantage Customer Service at +1-800-882-8880.
Link to cyclingpilot post about being granted a back-dated challenge (2 weeks)
You cannot use a challenge to requalify for status. There is no longer a "soft landing" to the next lower level of status. The flight on which the challenge is completed no longer earns the redeemable miles bonus for the new status level.
Some have been granted Gold status whilst flying a Platinum challenge, particularly those with current elite status (any level) on an airline of a competing alliance, but this is not a given.
Based on multiple reports from FT members, as of mid-2015 AA is only allowing one status challenge over a five year period.
August 2014 e-mail received by a Challenger, shared by ashill:
Thank you for registering for an AAdvantage® challenge.
To enjoy AAdvantage PLATINUM status through February 2016, please earn 10,000 elite qualifying points between now and [redacted]. Qualifying flights on American Airlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection®, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas, US Airways and their eligible codeshare flights count toward your challenge.
Since the number of elite qualifying points you earn is based on the fare you purchase and the miles you earn, you can view these details for each airline:We wish you every success in attaining the elite status level you desire.
Sincerely,
Janet L F[redacted]
Director
AAdvantage Customer Service
Thank you for registering for an AAdvantage® challenge.
To enjoy AAdvantage PLATINUM status through February 2016, please earn 10,000 elite qualifying points between now and [redacted]. Qualifying flights on American Airlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection®, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas, US Airways and their eligible codeshare flights count toward your challenge.
Since the number of elite qualifying points you earn is based on the fare you purchase and the miles you earn, you can view these details for each airline:We wish you every success in attaining the elite status level you desire.
Sincerely,
Janet L F[redacted]
Director
AAdvantage Customer Service
ARCHIVE: HELP DESK: AA Elite Status Challenge (CLOSED: "hard end" 23 Dec 2015)
Jan 26, 2015, 6:46 pm
#646
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
I note in the Wiki post on this thread that you cannot requalify with a challenge, but I'm not sure what this means exactly--it seems like many FTers use challenges to requalify if they aren't going to hit status before year-end. Am I misunderstanding? Does it just mean you cannot requalify with a challenge if your previous qualification was from a challenge?
It's been suggested that the rules on repeat challenges have been tightened up even further recently. I don't think we have enough data here yet to expound on what might have changed.
Jan 26, 2015, 6:49 pm
#647
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: LHR
Programs: AA
Posts: 773
You can't use a challenge to requalify for the status your currently hold. If currently PLT, regardless of how that status was earned, one would need to drop to gold or general member before doing a PLT challenge.
It's been suggested that the rules on repeat challenges have been tightened up even further recently. I don't think we have enough data here yet to expound on what might have changed.
It's been suggested that the rules on repeat challenges have been tightened up even further recently. I don't think we have enough data here yet to expound on what might have changed.
Jan 28, 2015, 11:28 am
#648
Moderator, Amtrak & Spirit Airlines
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: EWR :rolleyes:
Programs: AC 50K, AS MVP, AA Plat Pro, DL Plat, UA Silver, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 9,608
Question for those that have completed the challenge recently. My flights posted yesterday that put me over the threshold for the Plat challenge, the only indication of this is when I log on to my AA account online or on my mobile. Do you eventually get an email? How long until your card showed up in the mail?
Thanks
Thanks
Jan 28, 2015, 12:23 pm
#649
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I am not a frequent enough flier to be 100% certain I will achieve status (I never have before), but I think this year it is likely. However in March I have some paid F travel coming up that would easily clear a Gold challenge and put me well on my way to hitting Platinum with a couple more flights within the 90 days. Of course if I do a challenge starting in March, it will expire next February, rather than in 2017, and my bigger concern is that it will lock me out of challenges in the future.
I have no idea if next year will be another likely status-attainer for me, so I wouldn't like to lock myself out of doing a challenge in the not-too-distant future. If I do a challenge this year, is that what I should expect? I have read that AA will often not grant challenges to those who have done them within the last few years.
I note in the Wiki post on this thread that you cannot requalify with a challenge, but I'm not sure what this means exactly--it seems like many FTers use challenges to requalify if they aren't going to hit status before year-end. Am I misunderstanding? Does it just mean you cannot requalify with a challenge if your previous qualification was from a challenge?
Essentially, if I do the challenge, I will likely hit Platinum but then be out of luck if I need a challenge in the future. If I don't do the challenge, I will almost certainly only hit Gold, and it will take me most of the year to achieve. I know I have to ultimately make the call, I'm just trying to understand the factors involved.
I have no idea if next year will be another likely status-attainer for me, so I wouldn't like to lock myself out of doing a challenge in the not-too-distant future. If I do a challenge this year, is that what I should expect? I have read that AA will often not grant challenges to those who have done them within the last few years.
I note in the Wiki post on this thread that you cannot requalify with a challenge, but I'm not sure what this means exactly--it seems like many FTers use challenges to requalify if they aren't going to hit status before year-end. Am I misunderstanding? Does it just mean you cannot requalify with a challenge if your previous qualification was from a challenge?
Essentially, if I do the challenge, I will likely hit Platinum but then be out of luck if I need a challenge in the future. If I don't do the challenge, I will almost certainly only hit Gold, and it will take me most of the year to achieve. I know I have to ultimately make the call, I'm just trying to understand the factors involved.
But you can not re qualify for status using a Challenge when / if you lose that status - AA is willing to let you buy it back, however. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ov-2014-a.html
Jan 28, 2015, 12:26 pm
#650
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: DL GM, AA PLT.
Posts: 537
Newbie questions
Sorry if these are really basic. I have just signed up to a PLT challenge. They gave me temp GLD status, on the basis of of being a UA silver. Booked TA flights on US metal, but via AA.
In paying for the challenge, I was told I could select preferred seats on US flights. However, having bought the flights, those lovely litle yellow/orange seats that were present pre-payment are now blanked out.
Am I out of luck as a temporary AA GLD, or is there some way to get into those (marginally) better seats?
Thanks.
In paying for the challenge, I was told I could select preferred seats on US flights. However, having bought the flights, those lovely litle yellow/orange seats that were present pre-payment are now blanked out.
Am I out of luck as a temporary AA GLD, or is there some way to get into those (marginally) better seats?
Thanks.
Jan 28, 2015, 1:16 pm
#651
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YYZ, NYC
Programs: Marriott Gold, JGC, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, AC 25K
Posts: 1,025
I have 3 MRs on AA this year going YYZ-DFW-HKG-DFW-YYZ. I currently have no status with AA (I have AS MVP) and would like to get some feedback on whether I should get a challenge. All tickets are Q fare, for a total of 2000 CAD.
I want to know what are the RDM that will be credited after each flight segment is flown. My calculation below shows the total mileage, assuming that I'll qualify after one and half full trip for the PLT status. Am I correct to assume that, for the PLT challenge (with Gold to start) that I'll earn 125% until I qualify (including the qualifying segment) and then 200% afterward the qualifying segment?
Also, I'm flying in March-May, how long would my PLT status be valid until after the 3 trips? Am I right to think it's going to be until Feb 2017 since the 3 trips exceed the 50,000 EQM regular threshold in 2015?
Will I also get the 500 mile upgrades during the challenge for every 10,000 miles flown (if starting as Gold in the PLT challenge)
I'm looking to go for PLT if I can get the RDM as per my calculation, given the possible upgrades in subsequent flights and lounge access. Otherwise AS MVP still gives me much more miles at 150% over AA gold.
No Status
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 18600=18600
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 9300+9300x1.25=20925
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz (9300+8100)x1.25+1200x2=24150
Total miles:63675
Cost:0+2000, 3.12cpm
Gold Challenge
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 9300+8100+1200x1.25=18900
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 18600x1.25=23250
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz (9300+8100)x1.25+1200x2=24150
Total miles:66300
Cost:125+2000, 3.19cpm
Platinum Challenge (based on instant Gold)
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 18600x1.25=23250
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 9300x1.25+9300x2=30225
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 18600x2=37200
Total miles:90675
Cost:250+2000, 2.47cpm
On AS MVP
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 18600x1.5=27900
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 18600x1.5=27900
(yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw)-yyz (9300+8100)x1.5+1200x2=28500
Total miles:84300
Cost:0+2000, 2.36cpm
I want to know what are the RDM that will be credited after each flight segment is flown. My calculation below shows the total mileage, assuming that I'll qualify after one and half full trip for the PLT status. Am I correct to assume that, for the PLT challenge (with Gold to start) that I'll earn 125% until I qualify (including the qualifying segment) and then 200% afterward the qualifying segment?
Also, I'm flying in March-May, how long would my PLT status be valid until after the 3 trips? Am I right to think it's going to be until Feb 2017 since the 3 trips exceed the 50,000 EQM regular threshold in 2015?
Will I also get the 500 mile upgrades during the challenge for every 10,000 miles flown (if starting as Gold in the PLT challenge)
I'm looking to go for PLT if I can get the RDM as per my calculation, given the possible upgrades in subsequent flights and lounge access. Otherwise AS MVP still gives me much more miles at 150% over AA gold.
No Status
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 18600=18600
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 9300+9300x1.25=20925
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz (9300+8100)x1.25+1200x2=24150
Total miles:63675
Cost:0+2000, 3.12cpm
Gold Challenge
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 9300+8100+1200x1.25=18900
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 18600x1.25=23250
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz (9300+8100)x1.25+1200x2=24150
Total miles:66300
Cost:125+2000, 3.19cpm
Platinum Challenge (based on instant Gold)
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 18600x1.25=23250
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 9300x1.25+9300x2=30225
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 18600x2=37200
Total miles:90675
Cost:250+2000, 2.47cpm
On AS MVP
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 18600x1.5=27900
yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw-yyz 18600x1.5=27900
(yyz-dfw-hkg-dfw)-yyz (9300+8100)x1.5+1200x2=28500
Total miles:84300
Cost:0+2000, 2.36cpm
Last edited by jix; Jan 28, 2015 at 2:16 pm
Jan 28, 2015, 1:24 pm
#652
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
Sorry if these are really basic. I have just signed up to a PLT challenge. They gave me temp GLD status, on the basis of of being a UA silver. Booked TA flights on US metal, but via AA.
In paying for the challenge, I was told I could select preferred seats on US flights. However, having bought the flights, those lovely litle yellow/orange seats that were present pre-payment are now blanked out.
Am I out of luck as a temporary AA GLD, or is there some way to get into those (marginally) better seats?
Thanks.
In paying for the challenge, I was told I could select preferred seats on US flights. However, having bought the flights, those lovely litle yellow/orange seats that were present pre-payment are now blanked out.
Am I out of luck as a temporary AA GLD, or is there some way to get into those (marginally) better seats?
Thanks.
Jan 28, 2015, 1:38 pm
#653
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: DL GM, AA PLT.
Posts: 537
That may be the issue then - I purchased the challenge, then bought the ticket maybe ten minutes later. Assume I call AA to fix the issue, or US?
Jan 28, 2015, 1:46 pm
#654
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: World
Posts: 1,647
Also, can AA gift cards be used to pay for the challenge fee?
Jan 28, 2015, 2:35 pm
#655
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,413
Moving this thread to the pre-consolidation forum to join the existing Help Desk thread on AA Challenges. Thanks. 
/Moderator
As AA is the one granting your status during your challenge, you'll want to call AA and ensure that your account has been "upgraded" to Gold properly. Then have AA refresh your AAdvantage number on your itinerary so that you can use your shiny Gold privileges to select seats.
/Moderator
Jan 28, 2015, 2:52 pm
#656
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: DL GM, AA PLT.
Posts: 537
Thanks for replying.
I called AA - The Agent's response was :-
1.) Preferred seats are "under airport control."
2.) Bizarrely, she then said "and anyway, preferred seats are only for PLT and above."
Is there anything on the AA site that specifically says GLD can have preferred seats on US metal? Much though I like my shiny new status, I'd rather not celebrate it from row 29 if possible
I called AA - The Agent's response was :-
1.) Preferred seats are "under airport control."
2.) Bizarrely, she then said "and anyway, preferred seats are only for PLT and above."
Is there anything on the AA site that specifically says GLD can have preferred seats on US metal? Much though I like my shiny new status, I'd rather not celebrate it from row 29 if possible
Jan 28, 2015, 3:12 pm
#657
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: DL GM, AA PLT.
Posts: 537
It then got worse. Tried another agent, who said she'd cancel the res, book another and submit the original ticket number into the AA refund part of the website. Didn't work, and the refund doesn't seem to recognise my first ticket number. Maybe it hadn't issued ?
Not a good start, though I accept in large part down to my general ineptitude
Not a good start, though I accept in large part down to my general ineptitude
Jan 28, 2015, 3:52 pm
#658
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: LHR
Programs: AA
Posts: 773
But you can not re qualify for status using a Challenge when / if you lose that status - AA is willing to let you buy it back, however. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ov-2014-a.html
Thanks for the reply!
Jan 28, 2015, 10:06 pm
#659
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 8
Backdating - is it possible?
So I read threads dating back a while and it seemed backdating a challenge was possible. Wondering if anyone knows if that is still the case. Below is an example of my travel. Right now I've got a total of 14,876. I mistakingly thought one had to be gold to due the platinum challenge, thus the reason for not acting earlier. I believe the first two flights accumulated 1.5x points (and miles) because the ticket was full fair business.
01/09/15 AMERICAN AIRLINES 6196 C ORD LHR 3,953 1,977 5,930
01/16/15 AMERICAN AIRLINES 6197 C LHR ORD 3,953 1,977 5,930
01/18/15 2015 Currency Promo 0 250 250
01/18/15 AMERICAN AIRLINES 1537 F ORD MCO 1,005 503 1,508
01/21/15 2015 Currency Promo 0 250 250
01/21/15 AMERICAN AIRLINES 0153 F MCO ORD 1,005 503 1,508
Anyone know if I can backdate, as to where I'm automatically qualify for plat?
Thank you,
01/09/15 AMERICAN AIRLINES 6196 C ORD LHR 3,953 1,977 5,930
01/16/15 AMERICAN AIRLINES 6197 C LHR ORD 3,953 1,977 5,930
01/18/15 2015 Currency Promo 0 250 250
01/18/15 AMERICAN AIRLINES 1537 F ORD MCO 1,005 503 1,508
01/21/15 2015 Currency Promo 0 250 250
01/21/15 AMERICAN AIRLINES 0153 F MCO ORD 1,005 503 1,508
Anyone know if I can backdate, as to where I'm automatically qualify for plat?
Thank you,
Jan 28, 2015, 10:12 pm
#660
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Welcome to FlyerTalk.
There is no need to have Gold to do a Platinum Challenge. Only base miles are multipliers for elite qualifying points: discounted economy fares earn as few as 50% points, business 1.5; bonus miles are redeemable, but do not generate elite qualifying points. You may know this, but I'll put it here for others who might read here. From the information you provided, it does appear you've earned 10,000 points.
And the best way to find out if they will backdate the Challenge is to call - soon.
There is no need to have Gold to do a Platinum Challenge. Only base miles are multipliers for elite qualifying points: discounted economy fares earn as few as 50% points, business 1.5; bonus miles are redeemable, but do not generate elite qualifying points. You may know this, but I'll put it here for others who might read here. From the information you provided, it does appear you've earned 10,000 points.
And the best way to find out if they will backdate the Challenge is to call - soon.
