ARCHIVE: AAdvantage Gold & Platinum Elite Status Challenges 2004 - 2011
Aug 11, 2010, 12:20 am
#4951
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AAdvantage, United MP, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 1,137
Registration period changed?
Called AAdvantage customer service yesterday to register for a Platinum Challenge starting 1 Nov.
Representative asked me to call back end September. That's only one month upfront. Has the period changed?
Representative asked me to call back end September. That's only one month upfront. Has the period changed?
Aug 11, 2010, 6:41 am
#4952
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
Aug 11, 2010, 10:18 am
#4953
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
That is consistent with my experience. The wiki says "you can request a specific start date (within the next few months)" but I think it is more like 1-2 months ahead.
Aug 11, 2010, 11:42 am
#4954
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: AA EXP Hyatt Dia SPG Gold Fairmont Plat
Posts: 439
Why start Nov 1 and not Sept 1? The challenge is 90s days, but I don't think it crosses year boundaries, so I don't know what the point of picking a start date after September would be.
Aug 11, 2010, 1:11 pm
#4955
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
The point of picking a start date in November rather than September? Ask yourself the reverse, if one does not plan to fly in September or October is there any point to signing up for a challenge that during that period?
Last edited by oklAAhoma; Aug 11, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Aug 12, 2010, 3:55 pm
#4956
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP 1M
Posts: 300
Question on codeshare flights:
I just booked a flight on the Alaska Air website, the same flight has an AA Flight number on AA.com. I entered my AAdvantage number upon booking.
Will this flight count toward my challenge elite points?
I called the AA Exec Plat desk (used my dad's number), and the rep said that it would count as long as the same flight has a AA Flight number, and it does not matter where I booked the flight, AlaksaAir.com or AA.com.
I have read some conflicting information on this in the thread. If anyone could provide a definitive answer, I would appreciate the help.
-PJ
I just booked a flight on the Alaska Air website, the same flight has an AA Flight number on AA.com. I entered my AAdvantage number upon booking.
Will this flight count toward my challenge elite points?
I called the AA Exec Plat desk (used my dad's number), and the rep said that it would count as long as the same flight has a AA Flight number, and it does not matter where I booked the flight, AlaksaAir.com or AA.com.
I have read some conflicting information on this in the thread. If anyone could provide a definitive answer, I would appreciate the help.
-PJ
Aug 12, 2010, 4:01 pm
#4957
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
The issue is not whether there "is" a codeshare flight or where you booked it, but rather for the purposes of the challenge, are you booked on the codeshare flight. In other words, it will only count if you are flying AA Flight #______. The rules on the challenge are quite clear about this issue.
Aug 12, 2010, 4:01 pm
#4958
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
Question on codeshare flights:
I just booked a flight on the Alaska Air website, the same flight has an AA Flight number on AA.com. I entered my AAdvantage number upon booking.
Will this flight count toward my challenge elite points?
I called the AA Exec Plat desk (used my dad's number), and the rep said that it would count as long as the same flight has a AA Flight number, and it does not matter where I booked the flight, AlaksaAir.com or AA.com.
I have read some conflicting information on this in the thread. If anyone could provide a definitive answer, I would appreciate the help.
-PJ
I just booked a flight on the Alaska Air website, the same flight has an AA Flight number on AA.com. I entered my AAdvantage number upon booking.
Will this flight count toward my challenge elite points?
I called the AA Exec Plat desk (used my dad's number), and the rep said that it would count as long as the same flight has a AA Flight number, and it does not matter where I booked the flight, AlaksaAir.com or AA.com.
I have read some conflicting information on this in the thread. If anyone could provide a definitive answer, I would appreciate the help.
-PJ
Cheers.
Aug 13, 2010, 8:57 am
#4959
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
Psyclone*Jack, to add to bdemaria and brp's spot-on responses above, what does your reservation say? If it's an AS flight number, then it will not count toward the Challenge. If it's an AA flight number (perhaps with a note indicating Operated by Alaska Airlines), then it will count.
Aug 14, 2010, 7:08 am
#4960
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: London
Programs: UA Premier Executive, bmi DC, BA Exec, CO OnePass, AClub Gold
Posts: 103
I do apologise if this has been asked already but this thread has now got so long it is difficult to find!
I just called AA aadvantage from the UK and was told the following:
Platinum Challenge is now either 240 or 250USD (agent didnt quite seem to know which)?
Also on the forum hand book and wiki it says its 150USD?
They wont advance elite status at all before I make my first flight? (I am currently not an AA Advantage member)
(I asked them this as I am currently UA prem exec and if I wanted to flew UA instead for my next trip to the USA I would have lounge access, where as with AA I will not)
If anyone has any tips or suggestions for me I would be very grateful :-)
I just called AA aadvantage from the UK and was told the following:
Platinum Challenge is now either 240 or 250USD (agent didnt quite seem to know which)?
Also on the forum hand book and wiki it says its 150USD?
They wont advance elite status at all before I make my first flight? (I am currently not an AA Advantage member)
(I asked them this as I am currently UA prem exec and if I wanted to flew UA instead for my next trip to the USA I would have lounge access, where as with AA I will not)
If anyone has any tips or suggestions for me I would be very grateful :-)
Last edited by carledwards; Aug 14, 2010 at 7:21 am Reason: added more info
Aug 14, 2010, 9:04 am
#4961
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
I do apologise if this has been asked already but this thread has now got so long it is difficult to find!
I just called AA aadvantage from the UK and was told the following:
Platinum Challenge is now either 240 or 250USD (agent didnt quite seem to know which)?
Also on the forum hand book and wiki it says its 150USD?
They wont advance elite status at all before I make my first flight? (I am currently not an AA Advantage member)
(I asked them this as I am currently UA prem exec and if I wanted to flew UA instead for my next trip to the USA I would have lounge access, where as with AA I will not)
If anyone has any tips or suggestions for me I would be very grateful :-)
I just called AA aadvantage from the UK and was told the following:
Platinum Challenge is now either 240 or 250USD (agent didnt quite seem to know which)?
Also on the forum hand book and wiki it says its 150USD?
They wont advance elite status at all before I make my first flight? (I am currently not an AA Advantage member)
(I asked them this as I am currently UA prem exec and if I wanted to flew UA instead for my next trip to the USA I would have lounge access, where as with AA I will not)
If anyone has any tips or suggestions for me I would be very grateful :-)
Last year, AA raised prices for Challenges starting in the 2nd half of the year, because the status lasts longer. There is a note in the wiki that 2nd half 2010 PLT Challenges are currently running $240.
# For Challenges starting Jun 16 – Dec 16, the fees increase to $100 Gold / $200 Platinum / $125 Upgrade, effective May 22, 2009. (NOTE: These prices are being updated as of May 2010. The GLD Challenge is now $150 / PLT Challenge is now reported to cost $240.)
Completing a Challenge
An AA Challenge is successfully completed when you earn the requisite number of points within the three month period after you sign up. In general, status is not conferred during the Challenge itself, however it has been reported that Platinum Challenge participants having elite status on another airline may be granted temporary GLD status immediately upon commencing the challenge.
An AA Challenge is successfully completed when you earn the requisite number of points within the three month period after you sign up. In general, status is not conferred during the Challenge itself, however it has been reported that Platinum Challenge participants having elite status on another airline may be granted temporary GLD status immediately upon commencing the challenge.
Aug 14, 2010, 9:54 am
#4962
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
Wiki: Sequential Challenges
I'm updating the wiki and am not sure about this statement:
I think this refers to not being able to Challenge if you lost status on Mar 1 that year that was previously attained via a Challenge, but don't recall the rules. Can someone confirm? Thanks!
# You are not allowed to use a Challenge to re-attain status earned through a Challenge within the same year.
Aug 14, 2010, 10:41 am
#4963
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
Wiki: Upfaring Reservation
New section added to the Wiki entry. Feel free to edit/add as always.
Booking Flights for a Challenge
Deep Discount Economy fares only accrue 0.5 Points per mile. Thus, Challenge participants sometimes seek to book higher Discount Economy fares that accrue 1.0 Points per mile. However, the Economy Saver fare shown in AA.com Price and Schedule searches is often not the lowest published Discount Economy fare. Accordingly, the following procedure can be used to book that fare without incurring telephone booking fees:
Deep Discount Economy fares only accrue 0.5 Points per mile. Thus, Challenge participants sometimes seek to book higher Discount Economy fares that accrue 1.0 Points per mile. However, the Economy Saver fare shown in AA.com Price and Schedule searches is often not the lowest published Discount Economy fare. Accordingly, the following procedure can be used to book that fare without incurring telephone booking fees:
- Identify the lowest published Discount Economy fare for your destination(s) and date(s). This can be done using fare tools such as Travelocity (free) or ExpertFlyer (paid subscription).
- Identify flights on which inventory for the lowest published Discount Economy fare is available. Inventory for specific routes and dates can be determined using ExpertFlyer's Flight Availability tool. Routes and dates having the desired inventory can also be identified using ITA flight searches in which a specific booking class(es) is specified using the ITA route language (example: "ORD:: aa /f bc=h").
- Note the full price (fare plus taxes and fees) of the desired itinerary at the specified fare using ITA as above.
- Place the desired itinerary on Hold at AA.com in the lowest available fare (can be Deep Discount Economy).
- Telephone AA Web Services or AA Reservations and ask them to change the fare ("upfare") to your desired fare class. Verify that the final price matches the price from ITA.
- Return to the Hold reservation on AA.com and complete the purchase online.
- In some cases, the itinerary may be repriced back to the lowest available fare upon attempting to complete the purchase. An alert will be displayed on AA.com if this is the case. If this happens, call AA Web Services or AA Reservations, explain that you cannot complete the purchase online at this higher fare, and ask them to process the purchase without charging the telephone booking fee. If they refuse, call back and get a different agent. Repeat as necessary.
Aug 19, 2010, 12:37 am
#4964
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 498
I'd like to complete a Platinum Challenge this fall, ideally at the least cost and in one trip. Right now, my top candidate is IAD or DCA to ANC via DFW at the Instant Upgrade "A" fare ($825 each way before taxes/fees). I'd arrive in ANC and get on the returning flight 75 minutes later, which is presumably doable because it's the same plane?
This gets me approximately 8000 miles * 1.5 = 12000 EQP for $1707.50, or $1542.50 if I use the Super Bowl discount code. Which is just under 13 cents per EQP, a bit more if you include the $240 challenge fee.
Am I missing an obvious, better way to do this? I played around with flying to other cities instead (e.g., SEA) but the numbers didn't add up to enough EQPs.
I suppose one way is to fly one leg of the trip to ANC at a Discount Economy fare, which presumably would put me just over 10000 EQP at a lower cost, but I couldn't figure out how to find such a fare using ITA...none of the codes I entered seemed to work.
Any insights would be appreciated.
This gets me approximately 8000 miles * 1.5 = 12000 EQP for $1707.50, or $1542.50 if I use the Super Bowl discount code. Which is just under 13 cents per EQP, a bit more if you include the $240 challenge fee.
Am I missing an obvious, better way to do this? I played around with flying to other cities instead (e.g., SEA) but the numbers didn't add up to enough EQPs.
I suppose one way is to fly one leg of the trip to ANC at a Discount Economy fare, which presumably would put me just over 10000 EQP at a lower cost, but I couldn't figure out how to find such a fare using ITA...none of the codes I entered seemed to work.
Any insights would be appreciated.
Aug 19, 2010, 9:03 am
#4965
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
silentbob1974:
I have not researched this, but usually the best cpm method for earning 10K EQP is either to fly two domestic transcontinentals or one well chosen international flight. Tokyo NRT is a good one. Sometimes fares to SIN/HKG/BKK via NRT are lower. Most European destination will need creative routing.
BTW, the best cpm will mean economy, sadly. Business is obviously more comfortable if you can afford it, but cpm will be worse.
One needs to pay attention to how many points one will get per mile. That depends on the booking class and is one nontrivial aspect of the challenge.
Good luck.
I have not researched this, but usually the best cpm method for earning 10K EQP is either to fly two domestic transcontinentals or one well chosen international flight. Tokyo NRT is a good one. Sometimes fares to SIN/HKG/BKK via NRT are lower. Most European destination will need creative routing.
BTW, the best cpm will mean economy, sadly.
Business is obviously more comfortable if you can afford it, but cpm will be worse.One needs to pay attention to how many points one will get per mile. That depends on the booking class and is one nontrivial aspect of the challenge.
Good luck.