In danger of losing AA Gold (I don't fly enough AA)
 

I have recently acquired AA Gold status through the "Gold Challenge" by getting Q-points as a result of flying CX (Cathay Pacific in F/J class). [Not joining Marco Polo Club on CX due to the lack of domestic upgrades on AA (you earn mileage in Asiamiles which i think is a bad FF program), and outrageous mileage requirements for transpacific CX upgrades for Asiamiles members].

Since I live in Vancouver Canada, my AA options are limited as I don't even fly AA (I choose to fly CX 888/889 between Vancouver and New York instead of AA flights via DFW or YVR-JFK nonstop on AA as CX has superior F/J service [usually as part of a RTW ticket, so I don't pay full fare]).

As a result, I am not able to do the 4 required AA segments to retain my AA Gold status? Any suggestions on what I can do to have AA exempt me from this kind of hell? Or will I have to go on a "segment run" (while most people do mileage runs)?

I want to be eligible for upgrades on domestic AA flights (in case I have to fly to US domestic destinations for job interviews etc. in places like DFW, ORD etc.) without having to pay full fare. (which non-status members have to do)

[This message has been edited by daniellam (edited 08-01-2001).]

[This message has been edited by daniellam (edited 08-01-2001).]

Sounds like you will have to get some AA segment runs in to requalify for GLD. You could also do a PLT Challenge the same way you did the GLD Challenge, then you could enjoy Elite Status until 2/29/04 if you qualify now.

Studley

[This message has been edited by studley (edited 08-01-2001).]

Maybe I'll just give up on Gold status and then do the PLT Challenge when I really need it. (I have enough miles in my account for upgrades, and I usually fly paid F/J when I fly CX anyways)

Once you lose your status on AA, you cannot get upgraded unless its at the the gate, I think.

The 4 sector requirement on AA is part of the oneworld alliance rules to retain status. With AA, you'll get 100% bonus base miles if you get Platinum status, and 50% bonus base miles on Gold status. Surely that should be enough convincing to retain status.

Guy Betsy: Only 25% bonus for Gold. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

daniellam: If you can requalify then go for it! AA has flights from YYC-ORD as well - does that help any? Do you have to travel to the eastern US anytime, for instance? Even a YVR-DFW-BOS-DFW-YVR for example will get you the 4 required segments...

FewMiles..

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FlyerTalkers' Resources on the Web: http://fewmiles.tripod.com/
Unofficial Guide to AAdvantage: http://fewmiles.tripod.com/AA/
Unofficial oneworld Info Desk: http://fewmiles.tripod.com/oneworld/

That would require a lot of upgrade stickers !! and the fare ex-YVR is a bit high.

I prefer to do some segments that are under 500 miles each if possible :-)

I hate to ask this, but if you're not flying AA enough to get the 4 segments, are the domestic upgrade benefits really that important?

1. if u dont fly AA at all, u only need the upgrade to turn into miles eventually?

2. try to fly from SEA. do SEA-SJC-LAS, e.g. not too much mileage, so not too many purchased upgrade required

Does anyone have experience with the 4 AA flight rule? I seem to remember when I did my platinum challenge that I didn't have any registered AA flights on AAdvantage but I still kept my status. I normally put my AA flights towards BA.

I believe that gold status gives you 25% bonus, not 50%.

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DtG

You don't need any AA flights to do a Challenge. Any oneWorld flights that give AA Q-points will do. You need at least four segments on AA to qualify/requalify for any elite level via the normal process. This is independent of whether you qualify via miles, points or segments.