ARCHIVE: AAdvantage Gold & Platinum Elite Status Challenges 2004 - 2011

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Jul 20, 2008, 9:35 pm

#2566

tom911

In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jun 2000

Location: Benicia CA

Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life

Posts: 31,849

Quote:

Originally Posted by scraps

So armed with that suggestion, I googled the challenge and that's how I found FewMiles' info. Out of date or not, it worked for me!

There's more up to date information in the AA forum wiki:
http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/Challenge_(AA)

Jul 21, 2008, 8:26 am

#2567

qwe9999

Join Date: Mar 2007

Programs: AA

Posts: 85

Quote:

Originally Posted by scraps

In a totally unrelated story, I DID end up on a lovely date with that fellow passenger.

And...?

Jul 21, 2008, 2:07 pm

#2568

JDiver

Moderator: American AAdvantage

Join Date: May 2000

Location: NorCal - SMF area

Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis

Posts: 62,948

Both good parts of the story - a nice person to date and learning about the Challenges. Flying can still be fun. ^

As to details (about the date,) gentlemen and gentlewoman will refrain from saying any more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scraps

Someone who I met on a flight from DFW to BWI told me all about the challenges. I've been an AAdvantage member since 1995 and I'd been tracking my status like a hawk for years, and I have never heard of the challenges! I thought, with my travel schedule, I was destiamted (or doomed?) to be gold forever.
So armed with that suggestion, I googled the challenge and that's how I found FewMiles' info. Out of date or not, it worked for me!

(In a totally unrelated story, I DID end up on a lovely date with that fellow passenger.

Since your breath was baited I guess I couldn't leave out the good part of the story) ^

Jul 21, 2008, 2:11 pm

#2569

brp

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Mar 2004

Location: SJC

Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum

Posts: 33,535

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDiver

As to details (about the date,) gentlemen and gentlewoman will refrain from saying any more.

Yeah, but we don't have any of those here

Cheers.

Jul 21, 2008, 2:51 pm

#2570

aktchi

Join Date: May 2007

Location: ORD, DEL

Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)

Posts: 6,185

Quote:

Originally Posted by brp

Yeah, but we don't have any of those here

Cheers.

And in any event, they discussed FF programs, MR strategies, how to avoid YQ charges, etc., and took the pledge not to call.

Jul 21, 2008, 3:56 pm

#2571

dstan

Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Sep 2007

Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC

Posts: 10,855

Quote:

Originally Posted by brp

Yeah, but we don't have any of those here

Beware - this is what can happen!

Met a US F/A tonight
Post #44 - Update

Jul 21, 2008, 4:44 pm

#2572

scraps

Join Date: Jul 2008

Location: HOU

Programs: AA PLT, HH Gold, NAT Exec Sel

Posts: 116

It was a fun date-- If ever there was a date for frequent fliers, this was it. We each used AA miles and we met in San Diego to see the Police and Elvis Costello.

Point being, I got my PLT status and, as the e-mail says, "a range of benefits designed to make [my] travel more rewarding." LOL

Jul 21, 2008, 4:46 pm

#2573

zipadee

Join Date: Jun 2005

Programs: AA Gold, *wood Gold, Hilton Honors Gold

Posts: 928

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve32

I suppose it doesn't hurt to ask, but my understanding is that once the flight posts to your AAdvantage account, it's too late to count towards a challenge--not a judgment/lenience call.

Check your fare booking class (the letter code) against this list of the Elite Qualifying Point earning rates:

AA 2008 Elite Qualification Requirements

Some discount fares earn 1.0 EQP/mile, deep discount earns 0.5 EQP/mile, and keep an eye out for the pesky O fare for international travel (and Q fare for trans-Atlantic travel), as while the fare price is nice, you won't get any EQP.

Once you get status, then usually Elite Qualifying Miles is the method most people re-qualify with, and that's an easy 1:1 whatever the fare booking class (except that recent AADER bonus when we were earning double!--when the bonus EQM gets around to posting).

Welcome to the game!

Steve

I know this seems like a dumb question but I believed my third-grade teacher when she said there are no dumb questions.....I've looked on aa.com but want to confirm with the experts here.

All fare classes get 1:1 EQM? I.E. does O get full credit miles? I know only half of the points but are there any fare classes I should avoid for not accruing 100 percent EQM for requalification? Thanks.

Jul 21, 2008, 5:06 pm

#2574

JDiver

Moderator: American AAdvantage

Join Date: May 2000

Location: NorCal - SMF area

Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis

Posts: 62,948

On AA, some ticket fare categories may not earn EQM mileage - prominently among them some consolidator fares, and "Tickets between North America and Europe, India, Asia and Latin America booked in O and Transatlantic tickets booked in Q are not eligible for mileage credit" (sic aa.com.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by zipadee

Jul 21, 2008, 9:53 pm

#2575

zipadee

Join Date: Jun 2005

Programs: AA Gold, *wood Gold, Hilton Honors Gold

Posts: 928

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDiver

But a domestic O class ticket would correct? Thanks in advance.

Jul 21, 2008, 10:18 pm

#2576

scoow

Join Date: Jul 2006

Location: ATL

Programs: DL, AA

Posts: 6,031

Quote:

Originally Posted by zipadee

But a domestic O class ticket would correct? Thanks in advance.

Yes. 1.0 EQM and 0.5 EQP.

Jul 22, 2008, 5:21 pm

#2577

flying chef

Join Date: Aug 2007

Location: YYZ

Programs: HHonors Silver, AC Altitude 35K, AAdvantage, SkyMiles, Bonvoy Silver and a few more

Posts: 565

Codeshare and challenges

Looks like I'm flying YYZ-LAX-BNE and then MEL-LAX-YYZ next month. The LAX-BNE and MEL-LAX are on Qantas metal, but have AA (codeshare) numbers.

Here's the question...will those flights qualify, and if so, which challenge do I go for?

Thanks in advance, and by the way, I did some research, but am still not sure.

Jul 22, 2008, 5:32 pm

#2578

Join Date: Aug 2001

Programs: AA Plat & LTG; QF LTG

Posts: 9,837

Quote:

Originally Posted by flying chef

Yes, they do qualify for the challenge. If in economy with a B or Y fare, or in business class, you will complete the Platinum challenge upon arrival at BNE. If you have a discount economy fare, you will not complete until the return journey.

Jul 22, 2008, 5:34 pm

#2579

aktchi

Join Date: May 2007

Location: ORD, DEL

Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)

Posts: 6,185

Quote:

Originally Posted by flying chef

Looks like I'm flying YYZ-LAX-BNE and then MEL-LAX-YYZ next month. The LAX-BNE and MEL-LAX are on Qantas metal, but have AA (codeshare) numbers...will those flights qualify, and if so, which challenge do I go for?

AA will treat them as if they were AA flights. Find out your fare basis, because that would determine how many points you get.

Jul 22, 2008, 5:38 pm

#2580

bdemaria

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Apr 2006

Location: SJC/VCE

Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT

Posts: 10,161

Quote:

Originally Posted by flying chef

All b/c a plane happens to be a codeshare doesn't mean that you'll get credit. Your ticket needs to be on the codeshare , do your flights have AA flight # or Qantas flight #s, if AA your flights will qualify.

As for whether to do the GLD or PLT challenge - it depends on the fare bucket. Some fares only yield .5 points/mile while other yield 1.0/mile or even 1.5/mile.

LAX-BNE = 7161 miles
MEL-LAX = 7921 miles

Total: 15082 miles @ 0.5/mile = 7500 points, OK for GLD challenge, won't satisfy PLT

15082 miles @ 1/mile = 15K points, will qualify you for PLT via a challenge