Originally Posted by
jbrummbrumm
...I decided to do a Platinum Challenge, which I completed the first week of January 2010...One question I have now that I rec'd my membership card is why is my PLT status going to expire in Feb 2011? I thought it would be Feb 2012. On aa.com, the provide the following example: "If you earn 25,000 elite qualifying points or miles on January 31, 2010 (I earned it on Jan. 9) your AAdvantage Gold Membership is good through February 28, 2012"...Is the membership period different if you earn via challenge?
Challenges
are different, and not documented at AA.com. The example you quote refers to normal qualification (25K for gold, 50K for platinum). A challenge (5k for gold, 10K for platinum) begun between 1/1/2010 and 6/1/2010 brings status till Feb 2011; between 6/16/2010 and 12/16/2010 till Feb 2012.
As pointed out above, there is also a soft-landing policy. If your platinum status (however obtained) expires in Feb 2011 and you haven't re-qualified, then you'll become gold for the next year.
Anyway, congratulations and good luck!