Jan 2, 2016, 10:53 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
HELP DESK & FAQ: AAdvantage Elite Status Challenge (Gold and Platinum)
The 2016 AAdvantage Gold and Elite status challenges are now obsolete.
See HELP DESK & FAQ: 2017 Gold and Platinum status Challenge for the current Challenge thread
The 2016 AAdvantage Gold and Elite status challenges are now obsolete.
See HELP DESK & FAQ: 2017 Gold and Platinum status Challenge for the current Challenge thread
American Airlines initiated a new AAdvantage Gold and Platinum elite status challenge for 2016, available to anyone, (unless they have attempted or completed a recent challenge, or are trying to use a challenge to regain status). There is no publicly available documentation currently. Please update here as the information becomes available, e.g. signup fees.
Call +1.888.697-5636 for details and to sign up.
NOTE: There are also Corporate and Targeted status challenges offered to some levels of certain companies or targeted subgroups (LinkedIn had one, Founders Card may still offer one); some may offer up to Executive Platinum status. These differ significantly from this challenge offered the general flying public for a fee, and are discussed here.
Frequently Asked Questions and Requirements
Q. What are the requirements for successfully completing a Challenge?
- Gold status: earn 7,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) in 3 months (not 90 days). Signup fee (non-refundable): $120.00 for start date in Jan 2016, $100 in April 2016, $140 on June 16 2016
- Platinum status: earn 12,500 EQM in 3 months; signup fee (non-refundable) $200.00 for start date in Jan 2016, $180 in April 2016, $240 on June 16 2016. As of October 15 2016 it was $200.
Q. When can I sign up for a Challenge? Can I backdate to include flown flights? How far out can I enroll?
Start dates are now anytime, not a particular date, and may be backdated two weeks (although at least one member was denied in a request to backdate). You probably won't be allowed to engage farther than six weeks out.
Q. How long will Challenge-earned elite status last?
Challenges started prior to 16 June 2016 earn status good through 28 Feb 2017; challenges started 16 June or after earn status good through 31 Jan 2018. (It is the start date, not the date of the phone call or the date the challenge is completed, that matters.)
Q. Are there restrictions on earning EQM for the Challenge?
Yes. To qualify, EQM must be earned on flights marketed* by AA's Joint Business Venture partners:
- AA American Airlines
- AY Finnair
- BA British Airways
- IB Iberia
- JL Japan Airlines
- QF Qantas
* "AA marketed" = AA flight is displayed on your boarding pass
AA marketed fights earn as if flying AA, regardless of operating carrier. AY, BA and IB marketed flights must be operated by a oneworld airline; normally, JL and QF are the exceptions to this requirement.
Q. How many EQM do I earn per flown mile?
On AA marketed flights (AA flight on your boarding pass - regardless of operating carrier) you may earn, on qualifying paid fares:
- 3 EQM per base mile flown on full F, J fares
- 2 EQM per base mile flown in discounted Business and First fares
- 1 EQM minimum per base mile in all other qualifying fares
- 1.5 EQM maximum on all eligible First, Business and Premium Economy fares
- 1.0 EQM on the most expensive economy fares (full Y and maybe one or two other fares, depending on marketing airline)
- 0.5 or 0.25 EQM on most paid discount economy fares
- 0 EQM on some paid economy fares, dependent on marketing airline and fare class
Q. Will my credit card that pays to $200 incidental fees cover paying for the challenge?
Reports from members indicate your credit card might indeed credit you up to $200 for your challenge fee.
Q. Where can I learn more about earning EQM on AA and partner airlines?
Read Earning AA Elite Qualifying Miles / EQM on AA, oneworld, partner airlines 2016 (particularly the wikipost at the top of the page) for further information about earning EQM on AA and its partners.
Q. Do status or class of service bonus miles in Business and First count toward my Challenge or "normal" status?
No. Class of service, status (and all "bonus") miles are Award (Redeemable) miles, not Elite Qualifying.
Q. I know for "normal" status one must fly four segments at least marketed by AA, or AAdvantage elite status will not be granted. Is this true for completing a Challenge?
No. You may earn Gold or Platinum status flying qualifying AY, BA, IB, JL or QF marketed flights for Challenge-earned AAdvantage status. (The four AA marketed flights requirement for normal status earning will no longer be in place in 2017.)
Q. How can I calculate miles flown for EQM calculations on partner airlines?
Distance calculations may be made reasonably with Great Circle Mapper (link).
Q. Can I qualify by any other measure, such as EQD spend or Elite Qualifying Segments?
No. Only by EQM as defined previously.
Q. I've noticed some have been granted Gold upon enrollment. Can I?
Those with status on competing airlines may be granted interim AAdvantage Gold status while flying a Platinum challenge. A few others may get lucky, but don't expect being granted interim status easily.
Q. Do I automatically gain Gold status when I earn 7,000 EQM on my Platinum Challenge?
No, you will not. There may be reports of one or two members requesting Gold once they've earned 7,000 EQM and being granted Gold status, but this does not seem to be a norm.
Q. If I earn Platinum through a Challenge, can I earn Platinum Pro with 25,000 EQM or Executive Platinum (EP) with 50,000 more EQM?
No. You must earn the full number of required EQM, EQS (and EQD in or after 2017) to earn higher status, regardless of Challenge status.
Q. Do I earn bonus miles, etc. on the flight I cross my Challenge threshold?
No. Status is awarded after the flight upon which the required threshold was crossed (some years ago, it was during and miles earning benefits applied to the earning flight - that has changed).
Q. Will my new status update automatically on my account and previously booked flights? Will my new status benefits be available automatically? How long does it take?
Once your miles post in your account, your status will normally update. But you might have to call AAdvantage Customer Service to have Your existing PNRs updated. The AA agent will remove, re-enter your AAdvantage number, which will cause the record to update.
Q. How often can I sign up for a Challenge?
First, one can not extend or retain status made through a Challenge with a subsequent Challenge. As well, knowledgeable members have posted AA generally allows two "status exceptions" in a five year period, and the Challenge is considered as a status exception. Buying status back would be considered a status exception as well.
NOTE: AA has announced changes to Award (redeemable) Mile earning effective 1 Aug 2016. This has no effect on elite qualifying miles and therefore no effect on completing the challenge. See Earning AA Award ("Redeemable") Miles / RDM earning in later 2016 on American Airlines and its partner airlines]
Elite Status Challenge and Flyertalk History
The now defunct original AAdvantage elite Gold and Platinum status challenge is archived; thread can be read here.
The original EQ Points based challenge lasted a number of years. It was AFAIK first documented systematically by FT member FewMiles, who had it on his web pages with other status-earning information.
First FT thread about the challenge was started 17 Dec 1998: The Elite Challenge
On a fateful day, 26 Jun 2000, FewMiles asked about taking the challenge in this post; fish on!
On 27 Oct 2000, FewMiles starts a new thread announcing a web page for his Unofficial guide to AAdvantage - elite status, Gold/Plat challenge ....
It appears this 18 year old program has been selected by the new management to continue going forward so AA can offer a shortcut to status that they possibly feel is more rewarding (to AA) and effective than merely handing out status matches to anyone with status in another airline / alliance.
Updated 31 July by JDiver
Note: there is a "reingagement challenge" to get back miles lost for inactivity within the last five years, which can be read about here: How to Reactivate / Restore Expired Miles – Reengagement Challenge (consolidated)
ARCHIVE: HELP DESK & FAQ: 2016 AA Elite Status Challenge
Jan 5, 2016, 7:28 am
#76
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
The most desirable benefits I can think off might include:
Earlier international lounge access if flying in coach
Free booking of MCE earlier
Earlier increased baggage limits
See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html to be thorough.
You still need to fly four segments on AA marketed or operated flights and a total of 100,000 EQM (or fly 120 EQS) in this calendar year to earn EP.
Earlier international lounge access if flying in coach
Free booking of MCE earlier
Earlier increased baggage limits
See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html to be thorough.
You still need to fly four segments on AA marketed or operated flights and a total of 100,000 EQM (or fly 120 EQS) in this calendar year to earn EP.
Jan 5, 2016, 7:42 am
#77
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
Depending on when the rest of those 70k are and when AA implements revenue-based RDM earning. If they're after the (date-not-yet-known) implementation date, the Platinum bonus for RDMs becomes much less (both because the bonus drops from 100%-25%=75% to 60%-40%=20% and because the base RDM earnings will be lower on most tickets).
Jan 5, 2016, 7:46 am
#78
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
I was planning to aim for AS this year but mhmm
okay how about this
sign up for Plat challenge
make plat challenge after my first NA-Europe RT
status-match to AS MVP Gold
profit
sounds like a reasonable idea? I mean, I'll make AS MVP Gold this year anyway, but it;d obviously take me many more flights. This way I'd have it for most of the year AND for next year (I think status matching to AS will get me status through 2017, no? I'd have to figure that out first)
okay how about this
sign up for Plat challenge
make plat challenge after my first NA-Europe RT
status-match to AS MVP Gold
profit
sounds like a reasonable idea? I mean, I'll make AS MVP Gold this year anyway, but it;d obviously take me many more flights. This way I'd have it for most of the year AND for next year (I think status matching to AS will get me status through 2017, no? I'd have to figure that out first)
Jan 5, 2016, 8:57 am
#79
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: BSB
Posts: 260
If I complete the platinum challenge before 16 June, my status would be valid until 28 Feb 2017. If on the second half I reach 50k EQMs, would the status be extended to 31 Jan 2018?
It would be nice to have early status just to get more miles through the 100% bonus, as the other perks won´t be relevant as I will be flying on business. But I´d prefer to get one more year of status if I had to choose.
It would be nice to have early status just to get more miles through the 100% bonus, as the other perks won´t be relevant as I will be flying on business. But I´d prefer to get one more year of status if I had to choose.
Jan 5, 2016, 9:02 am
#80
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
Yes. They're certainly not going to deny you regularly-earned status because you completed the challenge early in the year; the whole point of the challenge is to encourage you to fly AA enough to start earning status the regular way.
Jan 5, 2016, 9:24 am
#81
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Mem
Programs: Delta GM, Amex Reserve, Amex Plat, JP Morgan Palladium
Posts: 984
I am looking to switch from Delta and am likely to do this challenge. I am totally clueless on how AA upgrades work. Would we get any 500 mile upgrade stickers if we meet this challenge?
Jan 5, 2016, 9:38 am
#82
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
You can also purchase 500 mile upgrades.
There's a guide on the front page of this forum which includes a thread describing the AA upgrade process.
Jan 5, 2016, 9:41 am
#83
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Mem
Programs: Delta GM, Amex Reserve, Amex Plat, JP Morgan Palladium
Posts: 984
Once you have status (either immediately if you're granted Gold status during the challenge or after you complete the challenge if not), you will begin earning miles towards upgrades. Every 12,500 EQMs earned while you have Gold or Platinum status nets 4 500 mile upgrades. So if you are granted Gold status as you complete the challenge, your first 4 upgrades will be awarded after 12,500 EQMs (which also happens to be when you complete the Platinum challenge). If not, your first 4 upgrades will be awarded after 25,000 total EQMs (12,500+12,500). Either way, you'll get 4 more upgrades every 12,500 EQMs thereafter.
You can also purchase 500 mile upgrades.
There's a guide on the front page of this forum which includes a thread describing the AA upgrade process.
You can also purchase 500 mile upgrades.
There's a guide on the front page of this forum which includes a thread describing the AA upgrade process.
Jan 5, 2016, 9:42 am
#84
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
One more question, as a Platinum would your companions be able to get Main Cabin Extra for free as well?
Jan 5, 2016, 10:39 am
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,013
You get EXP during the 90 day trial but must earn 35K EQM during the period. I emailed AA back and asked why not 25K and he said it's because of the new mileage rates.
Jan 5, 2016, 10:47 am
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,399
What's the fee?
We still get the 4 (-grmbl-) SWU's, right?
Do you get gold/plat during the challenge normally or exp, did you have to say something to get exp?
Entirely different ballgame if there's an EXP challenge.
Jan 5, 2016, 11:14 am
#87
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
That's done in two business returns booked on AA coded flights ex west coast to EU. For those who got in on those $1k fares and booked two within a 90 day period, that's cheap EXP.
My kids are all booked on of the cheap business class flights in late June, which would give them Plat under the challenge, but not sure the new plat for 18 months is worth spending $200 on each of them. They get most of the benes just by being booked with my wife or me. The RDM multiplier wont be that great any more as others have pointed out...
My kids are all booked on of the cheap business class flights in late June, which would give them Plat under the challenge, but not sure the new plat for 18 months is worth spending $200 on each of them. They get most of the benes just by being booked with my wife or me. The RDM multiplier wont be that great any more as others have pointed out...
Jan 5, 2016, 11:27 am
#88
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,774
Please provide more detail about the fee. I would seriously consider going for it if this is true.
Jan 5, 2016, 11:31 am
#89
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,013
Why on god's earth would I lie. Go ahead and call AA yourself. I got the email in my inbox. Have no idea about what the fee is if any.
35K EQM's in 90 days, that's it. Doesn't do me any good unfortunately. I fly no more than 110K a year so I'll do the plat challenge and be at EXP by year's end at 100K EQM's.
Jan 5, 2016, 11:37 am
#90
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: AA Plat Pro, United Silver, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,120
Why on god's earth would I lie. Go ahead and call AA yourself. I got the email in my inbox. Have no idea about what the fee is if any.
35K EQM's in 90 days, that's it. Doesn't do me any good unfortunately. I fly no more than 110K a year so I'll do the plat challenge and be at EXP by year's end at 100K EQM's.
35K EQM's in 90 days, that's it. Doesn't do me any good unfortunately. I fly no more than 110K a year so I'll do the plat challenge and be at EXP by year's end at 100K EQM's.
I successfully registered for Platinum despite having completed a previous one in November 2013. I was also given gold immediately. The first agent said it wasn't possible despite the fact that I have 11 trips already booked during the challenge period. The 2nd agent kept me waiting a while but got it done.