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)
#91
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: AA EXPLT, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), HHonors Gold, AMEX PLT, UA Silver, National EXC
Posts: 1,059
NOPE!! NOPE!! NOPE!!
YOU DO NOT GET STATUS BONUS RDM ON THE FLIGHT THAT COMPLETES THE CHALLENGE.
Was told this from multiple AAgents after my Dubai trip. Others here reported it as being the case, but I tried multiple times to get credited it - and got nada.
Also reminder to everyone: Call in after March 1st to get partial 500-mile upgrades credited to your accounts!
#93
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: used to be PER, now it's nowhere/eveywhere
Programs: QFF NB, AA GLD
Posts: 3,464
NOPE!! NOPE!! NOPE!!
YOU DO NOT GET STATUS BONUS RDM ON THE FLIGHT THAT COMPLETES THE CHALLENGE.
Was told this from multiple AAgents after my Dubai trip. Others here reported it as being the case, but I tried multiple times to get credited it - and got nada.
Also reminder to everyone: Call in after March 1st to get partial 500-mile upgrades credited to your accounts!
YOU DO NOT GET STATUS BONUS RDM ON THE FLIGHT THAT COMPLETES THE CHALLENGE.
Was told this from multiple AAgents after my Dubai trip. Others here reported it as being the case, but I tried multiple times to get credited it - and got nada.
Also reminder to everyone: Call in after March 1st to get partial 500-mile upgrades credited to your accounts!
We certainly got the bonus RDM on our SYD-JFK flights in 2008
and Mrs pandaperth got them on a LAX-MEL flight in 2012
#94
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: AA EXPLT, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), HHonors Gold, AMEX PLT, UA Silver, National EXC
Posts: 1,059
Yupp! It REALLY sucks. I would have earned a bunch more of 500 mile upgrades, and a ton more miles… oh well. I tried pretty hard too.
#95
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Oxford, UK
Programs: AA PLAT
Posts: 30
Hi
I'm flying BA Club LHR-MIA on 6th March. According to the mileage chart, I should get 6645 miles each leg so the return leg should get me through without any problems. I'm on AA no-body tier at the moment - did the challenge back in 2007-8 but couldn't retain the PLT (then Gold) due to work change etc.
My question is, would my return leg miles be calculated based on the impending status? Would be great if it's 2X miles on my return leg!
Also, in terms of signing up for the challenge, when would be the better time to do so? After 1st March and have it backdated to 1st March? or it doesn't matter?
Many thanks.
I'm flying BA Club LHR-MIA on 6th March. According to the mileage chart, I should get 6645 miles each leg so the return leg should get me through without any problems. I'm on AA no-body tier at the moment - did the challenge back in 2007-8 but couldn't retain the PLT (then Gold) due to work change etc.
My question is, would my return leg miles be calculated based on the impending status? Would be great if it's 2X miles on my return leg!
Also, in terms of signing up for the challenge, when would be the better time to do so? After 1st March and have it backdated to 1st March? or it doesn't matter?
Many thanks.
#96
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: used to be PER, now it's nowhere/eveywhere
Programs: QFF NB, AA GLD
Posts: 3,464
The rules have apparently changed, and the answer to your questions is now, sadly, "No" - see the few posts immediately before your's
Also, in terms of signing up for the challenge, when would be the better time to do so? After 1st March and have it backdated to 1st March? or it doesn't matter?
It shouldn't matter, but if I were you I would sign up now for a challenge commencing 1st March - just to be certain
Cheerspandaperth
BNC 1968
#97
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Washington, D.C. / Miami, FL
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, HHonors Gold, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 113
#98
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CUR
Posts: 2,170
AA does sometimes give partial credit if you call, so if you've only flown 2500 miles since achieving Plat, they might still give you one. Don't expect anything if you've flown much less than that.
#99
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SNA
Posts: 410
I was given gold at the start of my challenge in Jan. and have since flown about 11k miles (sadly, far fewer eqp...). Should I have received stickers?
#100
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
At this point aa.com is not showing stickers, so you may have to call to see if you have any available at this point.
#101
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 10
Quick question. I started a Plat challenge today with enough non-refundable flights booked in March to cover the 9976 of the required 10k eqp. I was denied temporary Gold status though, and I was hoping to get it, because getting bumped up to Gold would give me the 500 minimum on one of the flights, which would put me over.
I was just wondering if anyone had been successful calling after the fact and getting bumped up to Gold for the duration of the challenge?
E(duh)T: turns out I'm dumb, and AA did away with 500 minimum EQP, so I guess it doesn't matter. Looks like I'll be upfaring the one economy segment I've got booked. I'd still like the status in the meantime though, so if anyone has input on getting temporary GLD, I'm all ears.
I was just wondering if anyone had been successful calling after the fact and getting bumped up to Gold for the duration of the challenge?
E(duh)T: turns out I'm dumb, and AA did away with 500 minimum EQP, so I guess it doesn't matter. Looks like I'll be upfaring the one economy segment I've got booked. I'd still like the status in the meantime though, so if anyone has input on getting temporary GLD, I'm all ears.
Last edited by missbehave; Feb 18, 2014 at 1:25 am Reason: I'm not a smart (wo)man.
#102
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SNA
Posts: 410
Are you sure? Just tallying up the EQP I've earned over the past couple of months, it's consistent with getting the 500 minimum (of course since they don't itemize it, I have to reverse-engineer the total, but it adds up).
#103
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,342
There is only a 500 EQM minimum, and all EQP are calculated based on EQM (base miles) and fare class multiplier.
#104
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SNA
Posts: 410
Hmm. Ok. My EQP total definitely only adds up correctly if I use the 500 mile minimum (well, I'd say "correctly" -- my calculation ends up 3 miles lower than what's on the web site, so I assume they're rounding differently somewhere). I've tinkered with other adjustments, and that's the only way it reconciles. Maybe an error or a glitch?
#105
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CUR
Posts: 2,170
Hmm. Ok. My EQP total definitely only adds up correctly if I use the 500 mile minimum (well, I'd say "correctly" -- my calculation ends up 3 miles lower than what's on the web site, so I assume they're rounding differently somewhere). I've tinkered with other adjustments, and that's the only way it reconciles. Maybe an error or a glitch?
The minimum EQP earned is based on the EQM earned. So if you're on a deep discount 0.5, discount 1.0 or Full fare/F/J 1.5 point per mile fare, you'll get 250EQP, 500EQP, 750EQP minimum, respectively.
Last edited by Djokison; Feb 18, 2014 at 1:14 pm