Apologies if thread is already started. I did not locate one. I wasn’t sure if the Challenge thread would be appropriate.
This site has been very helpful. Hopefully this post will provide information or benefit to others.

Purpose of Post:
1 - provide information on Email Promotional Offer for Free Upgrade to Gold for Select AAdvantage Members
2 - get feedback on is it possible to negotiate getting to Platinum?

This morning I received an email “Welcome to AAdvantage Gold Status”. My initial thought was AA determined that I had met my Gold Challenge which I began 01/16, even though my calculations show I would not meet it until next week.

I called AA. Turns out the promotional offer had nothing to do with my challenge. I was told this offer was only sent to select AAdvantage members – whether members had a current challenge underway was not a factor in their selection. (As far as me being selected, I’m not sure why but I have earned 14,655 Qualifying Elite Points since 10/26/2009 (just over 4 months), but I still have no elite status (I didn't know about challenges until recently). My understanding is that the benefits of this offer and the benefits of my Gold Challenge were the same – both would earn Gold status through Feb 2011. The promotion offer would take 2-3 weeks to process. Whereas my flight next Monday will complete my Gold Challenge, so my Gold status should be confirmed next week. So I am not planning on registering for the promotion.

I would think AA would be able to track and confirm what members were offered this and only process this for those members. It mentions that in the details.

Details and Information on the Promotion Offer –

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Email Title: Welcome to AAdvantage Gold Status
Email Date: 03/02/2010 10:00am

My Name, AAdvantage(R) Number: XXX9999

Dear My Name,

At American Airlines, we think you deserve to be rewarded for your travel. As a special thank you for your business, we’re turning your regular AAdvantage(R) card into gold, by giving you AAdvantage Gold(R) membership through February 2011.

We know you'll appreciate the privileges of AAdvantage Gold(R) status, including:
- waived checked baggage charges
- preferred seating and priority boarding
- same day standby privileges
- complimentary upgrades when flying on eligible full-fare tickets*
- mileage bonuses for qualifying flights
- exclusive access to a dedicated phone line
- discounts on Admirals Club(R) memberships

For complete details on all AAdvantage Gold(R) status benefits, visit aa.com

This is an exclusive offer only for members who receive this email, and you must register online to participate.

Simply register for this promotion using Promotion Code AANGL by March 25, 2010.

Had link to Register which converted to:
http://www.aa.com/AAdvantage/viewBonusOffers.do

Promotional Terms & Conditions:

Offer is valid for recipients of this email only.
Registration for the promotion is required by midnight on March 25, 2010.
AAdvantage Gold® membership obtained through this special offer will be valid through February 28, 2011. The benefits of AAdvantage Gold membership will take effect within 2 weeks of registering for this promotion. Your new AAdvantage Gold membership credentials will be mailed to you at the address on your AAdvantage account within 6 weeks after registration. You must re-qualify for AAdvantage Gold membership annually. Normal qualification criteria requires that you earn 25,000 elite-qualifying points or miles or fly 30 elite-qualifying segments annually.

For details regarding the AAdvantage® program, visit www.aa.com/aadvantage

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** Question 1 – Do have I any hopes of negotiating to get to Platinum? I will not have enough (10,000) Qualifying Elite Points during my (Gold) Challenge Period which began 01/16. My “case” is …

Point 1 –
I didn’t know about challenges until late January. If I would have known I would have enrolled earlier and I would have met a Platinum Challenge in 3 out of the last 4 periods. My Qualifying Elite Points for the following periods:
11/01-01/31 10,599 points
11/16-02/15 12,159 points
12/01-02/28 9,479 points
12/16-03/15 10,103 points (based upon flights already booked)
01/01-03/31 9,791 points (based upon current plans)
01/16-04/15 8,736 points (based upon current plans) **My Challenge Period**

Point 2 –
I paid $80 for a Gold Challenge which I have met, but now upgrade to Gold is available to me for free.

Point 3 –
I’m willing to pay the Upgrade Gold Challenge in Progress to a Platinum Challenge of $100, if AAdvantage will make be Platinum.

Do I have any chance??

** Question 2 – If I do have a chance to negotiate to Platinum, any strategy on timing or what to say? My thought was to do this after my status has been upgrade to Gold (I would still have about 1 month left in my Challenge period) and I would iterate the above points.

Thanks for any feedback, suggestions, or comments.