Originally Posted by
Fornebufox
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So, if I throw in my lot with AA it looks like a challenge begun on Feb 16 could ring up the 5000 points for Gold right off the bat -- the L fares quoted earn 1 pt/mile, and it's close to 8000 miles RT.
Those 'L' fares will earn you 1/2 of a point per mile flown. So your roundtrip will earn you 4000 points and 8000 miles (only the points counting towards the challenge). The secret to the AA challenge, when booking cheap fares, is to pad in short flights since there is a minimum of 500 points per flight.