New policy to be implemented on repeat challenges
Apr 7, 2006, 10:24 am
#1
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
New policy to be implemented on repeat challenges
In this thread:
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ghlight=policy
You will notice this language:
Which I noted sounded like a new policy. Apparently it is. HOWEVER, it is not programmed into the system yet, so most agents would have no way of knowing about it-- unless they go looking.
I would GUESS based on this two things:
1. It's probably better to call, not e-mail, at this point if looking to challenge a second year in a row.
2. That as time goes on, it will become officially undoable to challenge two years in a row-- and maybe even more limitation than that.
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ghlight=policy
You will notice this language:
Because you earned your Platinum status on a challenge in 2004, for the
2005 membership year, you are not eligible for a Platinum challenge to
regain Platinum status for the 2006 membership year.
2005 membership year, you are not eligible for a Platinum challenge to
regain Platinum status for the 2006 membership year.
I would GUESS based on this two things:
1. It's probably better to call, not e-mail, at this point if looking to challenge a second year in a row.
2. That as time goes on, it will become officially undoable to challenge two years in a row-- and maybe even more limitation than that.
Apr 7, 2006, 10:26 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: AA PLT, USAir Gold
Posts: 559
Originally Posted by JonNYC
In this thread:
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ghlight=policy
2. That as time goes on, it will become officially undoable to challenge two years in a row-- and maybe even more limitation than that.
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ghlight=policy
2. That as time goes on, it will become officially undoable to challenge two years in a row-- and maybe even more limitation than that.
Apr 7, 2006, 10:29 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,527
Originally Posted by TrishBOS
And that would be a great thing!!
Cheers.
Apr 7, 2006, 10:30 am
#4
Join Date: May 2005
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: AA PLT MM
Posts: 486
I think a high post, low BIS FT'r just threw up on his keyboard when he read this.
Apr 7, 2006, 10:33 am
#5
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Originally Posted by TrishBOS
And that would be a great thing!!
Apr 7, 2006, 10:47 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,222
Originally Posted by plasticman
I think a high post, low BIS FT'r just threw up on his keyboard when he read this.
ROTFLMAO!At least my solace is knowing that I qualified in early 05 for Plat on a challenge, went to earn EXP by July, probably won't qualify for next year (maybe not even platinum), but at least I get soft landing to Gold until Feb '09...that is unless they eliminate that "benefit"! (Though I'll probably resume enough travel before then to continue qualifying the good 'ol fashioned way).
Apr 7, 2006, 10:58 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ/MGA
Programs: AA 1MM Lifetime Gold, AA Platinum, WS Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 7,607
It's about time frankly. If we trim the field to people who earn 50K annually maybe they can start to pony up something nicer over time. Selling status should go as well. Fly it or lose it, simple.
Apr 7, 2006, 11:10 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Rolling Lakes Yacht Club
Posts: 4,982
Originally Posted by brp
I agree. Consecutive repeat challenges defeat the whole purpose of the program, IMO. It's supposed to demonstrate a commitment level that will be maintained in the future. I know some people won't like this...but I agree with it.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Agreed. Challenges are there to bridge elite travelers from a competing program to the AA.
Time to cull the herd!! ^ ^
Apr 7, 2006, 11:16 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFO, CLT
Programs: AA Bonsai EXP (2.9 MM), AS MVPG
Posts: 1,393
Originally Posted by brp
I agree. Consecutive repeat challenges defeat the whole purpose of the program, IMO. It's supposed to demonstrate a commitment level that will be maintained in the future. I know some people won't like this...but I agree with it.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Apr 7, 2006, 11:20 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Dallas, TX USA
Posts: 2,115
Originally Posted by JonNYC
In this thread:
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ghlight=policy
You will notice this language:
Which I noted sounded like a new policy. Apparently it is. HOWEVER, it is not programmed into the system yet, so most agents would have no way of knowing about it-- unless they go looking.
I would GUESS based on this two things:
1. It's probably better to call, not e-mail, at this point if looking to challenge a second year in a row.
2. That as time goes on, it will become officially undoable to challenge two years in a row-- and maybe even more limitation than that.
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ghlight=policy
You will notice this language:
Which I noted sounded like a new policy. Apparently it is. HOWEVER, it is not programmed into the system yet, so most agents would have no way of knowing about it-- unless they go looking.
I would GUESS based on this two things:
1. It's probably better to call, not e-mail, at this point if looking to challenge a second year in a row.
2. That as time goes on, it will become officially undoable to challenge two years in a row-- and maybe even more limitation than that.
Apr 7, 2006, 11:26 am
#11
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Originally Posted by dogcanyon
I don't think that calling is going to make a difference. I have a friend who last did a Platinum Challenge in November 2004. When she tried to start a challenge in early March 2006, three separate agents told her that "the system would not allow it" because of her previous challenge.
Personally, I have -no- doubt that we will continue to see reports of people being able to sign up on consecutive years, but we will simultaneously see an increase in those reporting what you have.
Over time, the reports of the latter will overtake the reports of the former-- but whether that will be weeks, months or longer (think VIP e-bank), I have no idea.
Apr 7, 2006, 11:49 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Dallas, TX USA
Posts: 2,115
Originally Posted by JonNYC
Well it's not in the system yet so those agents were obviously advised of the change, but used "the system" as the reason. The internal announcement of this change is very recent.
Personally, I have -no- doubt that we will continue to see reports of people being able to sign up on consecutive years, but we will simultaneously see an increase in those reporting what you have.
Over time, the reports of the latter will overtake the reports of the former-- but whether that will be weeks, months or longer (think VIP e-bank), I have no idea.
Personally, I have -no- doubt that we will continue to see reports of people being able to sign up on consecutive years, but we will simultaneously see an increase in those reporting what you have.
Over time, the reports of the latter will overtake the reports of the former-- but whether that will be weeks, months or longer (think VIP e-bank), I have no idea.
Apr 7, 2006, 12:00 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Rolling Lakes Yacht Club
Posts: 4,982
Originally Posted by dogcanyon
My friend was particulary ticked because she had called in February 2006 and asked if she would be allowed to do another challenge starting in March. The agent that she spoke with that time assured her that she would, but told her to call back in March because she could not start another challenge until her Platinum status expired at the end of February. Based on that info, she bought an AA ticket to Singapore for mid-March at a fare that would earn 1 Q-Point per mile. When she called back in early March to start the challenge, she was refused all 3 times and even talking to a supervisor and explaining what the AA agent had told her in February did no good.
Last edited by DataPlumber; Apr 7, 2006 at 12:08 pm
Apr 7, 2006, 12:01 pm
#14
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Originally Posted by dogcanyon
My friend was particulary ticked because she had called in February 2006 and asked if she would be allowed to do another challenge starting in March. The agent that she spoke with that time assured her that she would, but told her to call back in March because she could not start another challenge until her Platinum status expired at the end of February. Based on that info, she bought an AA ticket to Singapore for mid-March at a fare that would earn 1 Q-Point per mile. When she called back in early March to start the challenge, she was refused all 3 times and even talking to a supervisor and explaining what the AA agent had told her in February did no good.
Well, in any case, looks like the game has changed, or is starting to.
Apr 7, 2006, 12:04 pm
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Belfast
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 328
It's about time AA puts a stop to this practice. I challenged for Gold, then Plat few years ago and never looked back. I've been EXP for 3-4 years now. I believe that is the true intention of this unpublished perk. OTOH scheduling 1 long flight in March every year to get the 10K QPs necessary for Plat and then flying 5-10-20K miles with all the benefits, is NOT.
I hope AA will institute once in a lifetime rule for challenges.
I hope AA will institute once in a lifetime rule for challenges.