JY1024

It's that time of year again!

As we approach the last months of 2017 with some changes from prior years, some members will be scrambling to qualify (or requalify) for status. This consolidated thread is for those who are requesting some help getting to the finish line.

A few reminders:
- FlyerTalk is not a travel agency. Some members may be able to give provide advice, but do not necessarily expect someone to provide a full list of itineraries and options for you.
- If you're looking for ideas for a mileage run (i.e., flights with low cost per mile), please also visit the Mileage Run forum: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mileage-run-deals-372/
- If you're not interested in this topic or in providing guidance, please feel free to ignore this thread.

Thanks everyone!
/AA Moderator Team

Tt44159

Based out of Chs. And am in need to 10,000 miles to retain my gold status by years end. My travel in 16 has been limited but will pick back up in 17 and I would like to keep my status for future travel. Has anyone seen any inexpensive mileage run ideas out of the SE that will get me the 10k miles lately?

bspahn

I have an upcoming flight in Premium Economy (E class) on Cathay Pacific, on 9/15 ORD-HKG-SYD and returning SYD-HKG-SFO on 9/23. I'll qualify for AA platinum on my first segment, the ORD-HKG leg.

My questions are:
1) Will I have lounge access during my first layover in HKG (i.e. immediately after hitting platinum)?

2) If I don't get recognized as OW Sapphire immediately (which is what I expect), what are the odds that CX will recognize me as Sapphire on the return?

3) How many miles will I earn for these flights?

My recollection from when I got to AA gold was that the segment on which I earned gold was not subject to my elite bonus. My calculations are as follows

ORD HKG 7,794 mi x 1.4 (gold bonus) = 10,912 RDM
HKG SYD 4,581 mi x 1.6 (platinum bonus) = 7,330 RDM
SYD HKG 4,581 mi x 1.6 (platinum bonus) = 7,330 RDM
HKG SFO 6,927 mi x 1.6 (platinum bonus) = 11,083 RDM

for a total of 36,655 redeemable miles. Does that sound right?

Thanks as always.

EDIT: edited to reflect that I meant Sapphire, not Ruby for lounge access.
Second EDIT: edited to reflect that I meant Sapphire, not Ruby for lounge access the second time I referred to my oneworld status in question 2.

MiamiAirport Formerly NY George

As far as the lounge access Ruby means GLD which doesn't get you in. However, if you mean Sapphire upon the miles posting make a copy of the screen shot showing your new PLT status. That should suffice as you won't have a new card and/or it may not show Sapphire on your BP.

mikelat

1 - Very low odds of flight posting that quickly
2 - Pretty good odds it will post and update status in that timeframe
3 - Were the flights booked as AA flight #s or Cathay?

bspahn

Thanks for the responses...

They were booked on CX flight numbers. My understanding is that you still can't book Premium Economy on AA.

SpammersAreScum

1. Highly unlikely

2. Again, I assume you meant "recognize as Sapphire". Your boarding passes will probably not reflect your new status. However, you should be able to have GAs and Lounge Agents look up your number and see the status once it has updated

3. No, that's all wrong; AA changed the rules on this effective Aug 1. If your flight is AA-marketed (your flight number is "AA...", the calculation will use the qualifying $ spent for the flight, not the miles flown; see here. If it is CX-marketed, it will be based on the actual miles and a multiplier based on the fare class (which is good for you, being in PE), as specified here. There are threads here specifically for discussing how RDM and EQM will be calculated, including on partners; best to take your question there if needed.

Shareholder

Once your outbound flights have posted to your AA account the status should show as Platinum (your new status). After this occurs, go to your booking on the CX site and remove your AA account from the FF field and exit the site. Log back in and re-enter your account. This should trigger your new status on the CX booking.

If it doesn't, as noted above, print off a copy of your AA statement that shows the status. Alternatively, if you have an iPhone, remove your AA card from your Wallet and then reload the new Platinum one. Then show it at the QF lounge at SYD and CX at HKG.

SpammersAreScum

In that case, your calculation is very close. You may get an extra 10% on your award miles, depending on what your actual PE fare class is. You are very unlikely to get the Platinum bonus for HKG-SYD immediately, and when you call AA afterwards you may or may not succeed in getting them to fix that.

RichVan

As someone who has flown E on a CX ticket credited to AA a few times this year, 100% of my flights took 7 days from the date flown to post.

Maybe you'll get lucky on the return, but I wouldn't count on it. Too bad, the CX lounges at HKG are great.

PHLGovFlyer

Friends of mine are in a bit of a bind. The husband has AA Gold and the wife has no status. They have two transcon trips booked for later this year and after those trips they will both end up at 24,975 EQM for the year.

Any good (inexpensive) options to get them another 25 EQMs?

Speculation on whether AA will offer the elite plus-up/buy-up option this year?

discoverCSG

I don't know where your friends live, but any cheap single segment on AA will get them their EQM for sure - no games or uncertainty involved. This can be done for under $100 from some stations.

JDiver

AA will probably offer that, though we can't be 100% certain. But such may cost more than the cheapest flight options, and flying is certain to gain Gold.

PHLGovFlyer

They fly out of PHL.

Djokison

There's a variety of options.

Example: take the train to EWR, purchase a EWR(/LGA)-PHL-MIA/FLL fare for about $100, get out in PHL and skip the last segment.