ARCHIVE: AAdvantage Gold & Platinum Elite Status Challenges 2004 - 2011
Feb 13, 2008, 7:07 am
#1831
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,946
Welcome to FlyerTalk!
I guess the answer lies in how quickly you wish to make status and start earning those double elite bonus miles, vs. a bit of patience and more money doing the Challenge when it will give you one more year of status.
The cheapest Challenge would be the whole kaboodle at the cheapest rate (assuring you use the AA codeshare to Brissie.) But that Challenge, begun in May, would result in Platinum through Feb 28, 2009 and Gold through Feb 28, 2010 if you did not requalify. The Challenge done on your return (begun June 16 or after) would give Platinum status through Feb 28 2010 and Gold for one more year.
I'd check the cheapest AA codeshare fare that would result in 1 point per mile (perhaps it'll be V, L or W?) and return, say, BNE-LAX-SFO-MIA (see link) whilst calling and signing up for a Challenge beginning July 16. That would result in ~10,084 miles and ~10,253 points (506 points LAX-SFO.)
And in Brissie be sure to have a "Moreton Bay Bug" for dinner if you like seafood.
I guess the answer lies in how quickly you wish to make status and start earning those double elite bonus miles, vs. a bit of patience and more money doing the Challenge when it will give you one more year of status.
The cheapest Challenge would be the whole kaboodle at the cheapest rate (assuring you use the AA codeshare to Brissie.) But that Challenge, begun in May, would result in Platinum through Feb 28, 2009 and Gold through Feb 28, 2010 if you did not requalify. The Challenge done on your return (begun June 16 or after) would give Platinum status through Feb 28 2010 and Gold for one more year.
I'd check the cheapest AA codeshare fare that would result in 1 point per mile (perhaps it'll be V, L or W?) and return, say, BNE-LAX-SFO-MIA (see link) whilst calling and signing up for a Challenge beginning July 16. That would result in ~10,084 miles and ~10,253 points (506 points LAX-SFO.)
And in Brissie be sure to have a "Moreton Bay Bug" for dinner if you like seafood.
Hey everyone! This is my first post but have been reading the forums for a while now. I had a question regarding challenging for platinum status.
I'm a college student going to study abroad in Australia this summer and I've been spending my free time looking at flights. I see that I can qualify for a platinum challenge if I fly AA and AA codeshare flights the whole way there and back. I would be flying from OMA-ORD-MIA to visit my girlfriend before I leave (May 20th) and then leaving for Brisbane on May 28th MIA-LAX-BNE. I'd return BNE-LAX-DFW-MIA on July 17th and then MIA-ORD-OMA July 23rd.
My main dilemma is whether or not to fly in the deep discount economy to and from Australia at ~$1850 (.5 EQM) or to fly in W the whole way for ~$2300. The flight from/to OMA is going to be on a separate itinerary and as cheap as I can pay for it (being a poor college student). Anyone want to let me know their opinion?
I'd even be willing to fly some long and winding routes to get more miles if anyone can come up with something good that will get me to BNE from MIA without staying in a hotel and keeping costs low.
I just want to go visit my girlfriend for free as often as I can!! 
I'm a college student going to study abroad in Australia this summer and I've been spending my free time looking at flights. I see that I can qualify for a platinum challenge if I fly AA and AA codeshare flights the whole way there and back. I would be flying from OMA-ORD-MIA to visit my girlfriend before I leave (May 20th) and then leaving for Brisbane on May 28th MIA-LAX-BNE. I'd return BNE-LAX-DFW-MIA on July 17th and then MIA-ORD-OMA July 23rd.
My main dilemma is whether or not to fly in the deep discount economy to and from Australia at ~$1850 (.5 EQM) or to fly in W the whole way for ~$2300. The flight from/to OMA is going to be on a separate itinerary and as cheap as I can pay for it (being a poor college student). Anyone want to let me know their opinion?
I'd even be willing to fly some long and winding routes to get more miles if anyone can come up with something good that will get me to BNE from MIA without staying in a hotel and keeping costs low.
I just want to go visit my girlfriend for free as often as I can!! Last edited by JDiver; Feb 13, 2008 at 9:17 am Reason: add a "be"
Feb 13, 2008, 7:22 am
#1832
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA L/T Gold
Posts: 174
Just completed the Plat Challange!
Thanks for everybodys help!!!!
Feb 13, 2008, 8:48 am
#1833
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
Just to be clear challenges are based on points, not miles. It appears you have indeed read up on this subject, but I want to make sure you understand the difference between points and miles. All qualifying fares earn 1 elite qualifying mile (EQM) per mile flown. It's the elite qualifying points (EQP) that vary per mile flown, from .5 to 1.5, depending on the fare.
Feb 13, 2008, 8:52 am
#1834
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
Feb 13, 2008, 8:56 am
#1835
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 6
Thanks for the quick feedback! If I was to wait and only use the second half of my trip to challenge, would there be any way to book the first half in a lower fare code (Q,S, etc) and then have the second part be in a fare where I get 1 point per mile (thanks for the clarification oklAAhoma)? Or maybe even use a Qantas code flight on the way down?
Feb 13, 2008, 8:56 am
#1836
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
Feb 13, 2008, 9:10 am
#1837
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
If I was to wait and only use the second half of my trip to challenge, would there be any way to book the first half in a lower fare code (Q,S, etc) and then have the second part be in a fare where I get 1 point per mile (thanks for the clarification oklAAhoma)? Or maybe even use a Qantas code flight on the way down?
Try using the search by Price & Schedule feature on aa.com. It makes it possible to pick the departure and return flights separately. You could go for the cheapest fare on the way out, even if it's not a codeshare, then make sure to pick a codeshare that will earn at least 1 EQP/mile for the return.
If for some reason you're unable to do it yourself on aa.com, it might be worth it to have an agent help you. IMO the benefits would outweigh the cost of the phone call.
Edited to add:
Just make sure you have clicked Advanced Search first, so that you can choose the option for AA, American Eagle, AmericanConnection® and oneworld.
Last edited by oklAAhoma; Feb 13, 2008 at 9:54 am Reason: aarrrggghhh! I think I have it right this time.
Feb 13, 2008, 9:14 am
#1838
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,566
That should be possible, at least theoretically.
Try using the search by Price & Schedule feature on aa.com. It allows one to pick the departure and return flights separately. You could go for the cheapest fare on the way out, even if it's not an AA codeshare, then make sure to pick the appropriate fare for the return.
Try using the search by Price & Schedule feature on aa.com. It allows one to pick the departure and return flights separately. You could go for the cheapest fare on the way out, even if it's not an AA codeshare, then make sure to pick the appropriate fare for the return.
Cheers.
Feb 13, 2008, 9:20 am
#1839
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
I don't see no punctuation problem*.*Let the record show I caught that before I read your post. Cross my heart...
Feb 13, 2008, 9:25 am
#1840
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
Edited to add:
I'm wrong because you're not right. One has to use Advanced Search (which I forgot to do when I experimented a little while ago) so that oneworld flights can also be viewed.
Last edited by oklAAhoma; Feb 13, 2008 at 10:00 am
Feb 13, 2008, 9:45 am
#1841
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA 1.5 MM Exec Plat, WN A-List, DL Silver, UA nonrev
Posts: 2,593
Feb 13, 2008, 9:51 am
#1842
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
(Like you, I had used the feature recently. I just didn't double-check carefully enough today before I re-posted.)
Feb 13, 2008, 2:25 pm
#1843
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA L/T Gold
Posts: 174
I know, I know, but I had to ask.....
OK, because nobody asked for me, how long before I get me Plat card (AA showed me Plat on-line this morning).
Feb 13, 2008, 3:07 pm
#1844
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 6
Well I looked at the Price & Schedule option on aa.com but it would only give me the "Economy Super Saver" and "Economy Flexible". This doesn't allow me to see the flights worth 1 ppm, only the .5 ($900 one way) and 1.5 ppm flights ($4500 one way). Would I have to call in order to get a price quote for the "Economy Saver" flight (if it's available at all)?
Feb 13, 2008, 6:32 pm
#1845
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SFO/OAK
Programs: AA EXP 3.4MM, BAEC, UAMP, Skyteam (<10k) HH Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz Gold, GE/TSA TT
Posts: 2,723
[QUOTE=brp;9244013]I'm not 100% sure, but I don't believe that non-AA options (codeshare, at least) show up with Price & Schedule.
Yes, codeshares do show up. I book that P&S a lot with BA and SN codeshares showing up. You do need to select Oneworld or "All airlines" options, though.
Yes, codeshares do show up. I book that P&S a lot with BA and SN codeshares showing up. You do need to select Oneworld or "All airlines" options, though.