Originally Posted by
matthew64832
So, I'm PM on Delta and thought I would try out AA since the fares were a lot lower on several flights I was taking. I called the number to sign up for the Platinum challenge and they immediately granted me complimentary Gold status and set the challenge start date for Sep 12. The Gold was supposed to be for the duration of the challenge but it seems to have started already. It doesn't really matter since I don't have any flights before Sep 12. Also, the agent never asked for any type of verification of my Delta status (even though I offered), which seemed odd. She did immediately ask for payment, though
She was EXTREMELY friendly though, perhaps one of the friendliest phone reps I have talked to in a long time, close to or maybe even on par with the Platinum Desk phone reps at DL (for PMs only) even though this was just the public line. Definitely a pleasant start to the experience.
This was almost exactly my experience today (also as a Delta PM). I called and said that I'm a Delta elite (I never specified what level) looking to switch to AA (the truth). The rep described the challenge, exactly as documented here, and said that because I have elite status with another airline, they'll make me Gold during the challenge. He changed my status while I was on the phone. I never asked about a Gold match beyond my initial statement that I'm a Delta elite, and he never asked for any evidence.
I suppose if someone wants to pay AA $240 for three months of Gold status but doesn't really have status with another airline, why should AA complain? Gold isn't
that valuable, though it will make travelling slightly nicer while I complete my challenge.
My agent too was very friendly and helpful. The entire conversation was less than 5 minutes, including a question from me about my booked SYD-US east coast flight to confirm that it gets me almost all the way there in one trip.