ARCHIVE: AAdvantage Gold & Platinum Elite Status Challenges 2004 - 2011
Aug 30, 2008, 8:49 pm
#2776
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
Aug 31, 2008, 7:54 pm
#2777
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 5
Stranded(?) 650 miles from PLT
I happen to be about 700 EQM away from PLT status with no upcoming flying for the rest of the year. Is there anything I can do to swing this in my favour or just wait for the best end of the year?
P.S. I am aware how there have been comments on this forum that post AADER there is little hope and that you can't 'buy' EQMs. Is there something unknown/hidden that I may have missed?
P.S. I am aware how there have been comments on this forum that post AADER there is little hope and that you can't 'buy' EQMs. Is there something unknown/hidden that I may have missed?
Aug 31, 2008, 7:58 pm
#2778
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SLC
Programs: DL PM, Hilton/Marriott Gold
Posts: 971
I'm not sure where you are located, but a sub-500 mile rt ought to get you to plat, thanks to the minimum mileage rule. Short flights are generally pretty cheap, especially if there is significant competition on the route.
Aug 31, 2008, 8:14 pm
#2779
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Rural TN (but WAS native)
Programs: National Executive Elite, none of the others matter
Posts: 23,823
https://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do...quirements.jsp
That said, it's up to how much one values PLT - I would be booking a flight now.
Aug 31, 2008, 8:31 pm
#2780
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dallas
Programs: AA Platinum, HHonors Gold, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 63
You can easily do a cross-state (based on if you are US-based) MR in the same day for little cost. And you have 4 months to qualify. Should be a cinch.
Aug 31, 2008, 8:51 pm
#2781
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!
In the past, there have been reports of flexibility and leniency on behalf of Aa when looking at status issues - I am not sure what the forgiveness was for Platinum. But you would only be able to find out if they were repeating this after the calendar year is over, and if you were not granted status, I suspect you would be much unhappier than if you purchased the cheapest miles-earning round trip and assured yourself status.
Look over the Unofficial Users' Guide sticky, check in particular the link to the FlyerTalk version of FareCompare and see what's up. (This link will take you there as well - you can "shake and bake" so you can see only AA flights, compare by Cost Per Mile, lowest fare, etc.)
OTOH if you actually won't fly much next year, maybe it's not worth the minimal effort.
In the past, there have been reports of flexibility and leniency on behalf of Aa when looking at status issues - I am not sure what the forgiveness was for Platinum. But you would only be able to find out if they were repeating this after the calendar year is over, and if you were not granted status, I suspect you would be much unhappier than if you purchased the cheapest miles-earning round trip and assured yourself status.
Look over the Unofficial Users' Guide sticky, check in particular the link to the FlyerTalk version of FareCompare and see what's up. (This link will take you there as well - you can "shake and bake" so you can see only AA flights, compare by Cost Per Mile, lowest fare, etc.)
OTOH if you actually won't fly much next year, maybe it's not worth the minimal effort.
Aug 31, 2008, 8:52 pm
#2782
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 1,615
I happen to be about 700 EQM away from PLT status with no upcoming flying for the rest of the year. Is there anything I can do to swing this in my favour or just wait for the best end of the year?
P.S. I am aware how there have been comments on this forum that post AADER there is little hope and that you can't 'buy' EQMs. Is there something unknown/hidden that I may have missed?
P.S. I am aware how there have been comments on this forum that post AADER there is little hope and that you can't 'buy' EQMs. Is there something unknown/hidden that I may have missed?
If you elect to do the last one, at least you'll get one of the following consolation prizes:
- 2 500-Mile Upgrades
- 1 Set of Elite Luggage Tags
- 1 Admirals Club One-Day Pass
- 10,000 AAdvantage Bonus Miles (this is a no-brainer)
Aug 31, 2008, 8:54 pm
#2783
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
Congratulations! No more Astrojets, but at least flyastrojets has upheld the honor. 
I have recently had an uptick in travel, with a good bit of that on AA. So I figured what the heck. I emailed AAdvantage telling my story and asking if I could be enrolled in a Challenge. They responded within a few hours offering the Platinum Challenge. I just had to email back with my desired start date which was 7/1. On 8/20 between MIA and DCA I crossed the 10,000 EQP threshold. That trip posted on 8/23 and so did my new Platinum status.
I just wanted to share my return to PLT with someone and this seemed like a good thread to do so!
I just wanted to share my return to PLT with someone and this seemed like a good thread to do so!
Sep 2, 2008, 8:49 am
#2784
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: HHonors Silver, AC Altitude 35K, AAdvantage, SkyMiles, Bonvoy Silver and a few more
Posts: 565
Made it!!...and a question
Just got back from Australia, and I've met the requirements for a PLT challenge, so I expect notification. However, my trip was not without problems. Due to a 3 hr delay on the MEL-LAX flight, I missed my LAX-YYZ connection on AA and was rebooked on AC. The question is...can I get AA credit for this flight? I'm sure this question has been asked on several occassions, but with my jet lag, I'm just to lazy to search!
Sep 2, 2008, 9:40 am
#2785
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,544
Just got back from Australia, and I've met the requirements for a PLT challenge, so I expect notification. However, my trip was not without problems. Due to a 3 hr delay on the MEL-LAX flight, I missed my LAX-YYZ connection on AA and was rebooked on AC. The question is...can I get AA credit for this flight? I'm sure this question has been asked on several occassions, but with my jet lag, I'm just to lazy to search!
Cheers.
Sep 2, 2008, 9:44 am
#2786
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
In the Unofficial Users' Guide sticky is the link for what you want. (We actually try to make it easier for jet-lagged members! And, congratulations.)
Involuntary Reroutes and Original Routing Credit (consolidated)
The title happens to contain the two phrases that will enhance success in securing the EQM/EQP, as in "Due to an involuntary reroute, (insert reroute details and reason)... I would like to request Original Routing Credit."
Now, we can't actually call for you... Welcome back!
And, congratulations.)Involuntary Reroutes and Original Routing Credit (consolidated)
The title happens to contain the two phrases that will enhance success in securing the EQM/EQP, as in "Due to an involuntary reroute, (insert reroute details and reason)... I would like to request Original Routing Credit."
Now, we can't actually call for you...
Welcome back!Just got back from Australia, and I've met the requirements for a PLT challenge, so I expect notification. However, my trip was not without problems. Due to a 3 hr delay on the MEL-LAX flight, I missed my LAX-YYZ connection on AA and was rebooked on AC. The question is...can I get AA credit for this flight? I'm sure this question has been asked on several occassions, but with my jet lag, I'm just to lazy to search!
Sep 2, 2008, 12:32 pm
#2787
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Caracas
Programs: Former AA PLT/GLD, A3 *G, Priority Pass
Posts: 1,144
Well, don't worry about the miles, directly, on a Challenge - because what you need is Elite-Qualifying Points. You earn 1.5 points per Elite-Qualifying Mile (basically, mile flown - bonus miles do not count in this kind of math) in Business or First, or even B or Y (full Y, not merely coach) and anywhere from 1.0 to 0.5 points per mile flown on other fares.
For Gold you need 5,000 Points within three months' time. So,
CCS-MIA and MIA-MEX = 2635 EQ Miles x 1.5 = 3952 Points
MEX-MIA-CCS = 2635 EQ Miles, and since we do not know which economy fare, we have no idea - it could be anywhere from 3952 for Y or B, to 1317 points for the most highly discounted fares (G, Q**, N, O**, S) - except that O class between the US and Latin America would not earn miles or points.
aa.com: ** Tickets between North America and Europe, India, Asia and Latin America booked in O and Transatlantic tickets booked in Q are not eligible.
So, it is most likely that you would be able to complete a Gold Challenge with your CCS-MIA-MEX return flights, but we can not say for sure because we do not know what fare class your return is in.
aa.com Miles / Points discussed in Elite Qualifications <link>
aa.com miles earned on different fare classes <link>
We also know form the last link you will learn 25% bonus miles in Business (I, D or J fare classes,) but those are redeemable miles, not Elite Qualifying Miles counted for status (or for calculating E Q Points.)
It may seem quite complex right now; all of us probably began feeling that way, learned how the system works and document it here on FlyerTalk for others. We have a welcome announcement at the head of this Forum, and a "sticky" thread entitled Unofficial Users' Guide that has some orientation, links and guide to tools for frequent flyers.
For Gold you need 5,000 Points within three months' time. So,
CCS-MIA and MIA-MEX = 2635 EQ Miles x 1.5 = 3952 Points
MEX-MIA-CCS = 2635 EQ Miles, and since we do not know which economy fare, we have no idea - it could be anywhere from 3952 for Y or B, to 1317 points for the most highly discounted fares (G, Q**, N, O**, S) - except that O class between the US and Latin America would not earn miles or points.
aa.com: ** Tickets between North America and Europe, India, Asia and Latin America booked in O and Transatlantic tickets booked in Q are not eligible.
So, it is most likely that you would be able to complete a Gold Challenge with your CCS-MIA-MEX return flights, but we can not say for sure because we do not know what fare class your return is in.
aa.com Miles / Points discussed in Elite Qualifications <link>
aa.com miles earned on different fare classes <link>
We also know form the last link you will learn 25% bonus miles in Business (I, D or J fare classes,) but those are redeemable miles, not Elite Qualifying Miles counted for status (or for calculating E Q Points.)
It may seem quite complex right now; all of us probably began feeling that way, learned how the system works and document it here on FlyerTalk for others. We have a welcome announcement at the head of this Forum, and a "sticky" thread entitled Unofficial Users' Guide that has some orientation, links and guide to tools for frequent flyers.
Sep 2, 2008, 12:43 pm
#2788
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 1,615
In conversation, J is also used for the entire biz cabin.
Sep 2, 2008, 1:01 pm
#2789
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Caracas
Programs: Former AA PLT/GLD, A3 *G, Priority Pass
Posts: 1,144
Hm that makes sense,because when bought.The operator at the agency told us,that we were getting those business tickets for almost the same price as our economy ones.I don't recall the price,since we paid hotels,tour,car, and the tickets on a big bill.But,i think the price was around $800 each for the biz.
Last edited by mvtm; Sep 2, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Sep 2, 2008, 2:13 pm
#2790
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 135
Help on understanding point value for this:
Hi everyone,
I'm doing a PLT challenge(hoping to get it early instead of waiting to make it sometime next year my travel upped considerably 2nd half of this year and going forward).
Was hoping someone can chime in on this:
I have a trip booked in deep discount fare bucket. LAX-HNL (2 days in between) HNL-OGG (6days) OGG-HNL-LAX.
LAX and HNL are both on AA metal, and HNL-OGG is hawaii airlines, but has an AA flight number (booked all though aa.com).
All booked in Q.
I think the LAX-HNL is easy enough. (i just counted 2556 pts. for the round trip.).
What i'm unsure about is the HNL-OGG segment. it's 101 miles, but will i get 101x0.5? or 500 pts? Also, on the return I go OGG-HNL-LAX. Will I get seperate credit for the first leg @ 500? or will the entire flight that day only count as a non-stop OGG-LAX?
Also, who is the best person at AA to call to confirm this? I asked a rep and they said they didn't have the system to calc it for me. so wondering what desk to call.
TIA
I'm doing a PLT challenge(hoping to get it early instead of waiting to make it sometime next year my travel upped considerably 2nd half of this year and going forward).
Was hoping someone can chime in on this:
I have a trip booked in deep discount fare bucket. LAX-HNL (2 days in between) HNL-OGG (6days) OGG-HNL-LAX.
LAX and HNL are both on AA metal, and HNL-OGG is hawaii airlines, but has an AA flight number (booked all though aa.com).
All booked in Q.
I think the LAX-HNL is easy enough. (i just counted 2556 pts. for the round trip.).
What i'm unsure about is the HNL-OGG segment. it's 101 miles, but will i get 101x0.5? or 500 pts? Also, on the return I go OGG-HNL-LAX. Will I get seperate credit for the first leg @ 500? or will the entire flight that day only count as a non-stop OGG-LAX?
Also, who is the best person at AA to call to confirm this? I asked a rep and they said they didn't have the system to calc it for me. so wondering what desk to call.
TIA