Jan 3, 2017, 12:03 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
The current AAdvantage Gold and Elite status challenges supersede the 2016 Challenge, now obsolete.
Please read before asking questions. Read the Feb 2018 email sent Challengers in Post #1.
Please help update information or fill in the blanks by sharing what you learn.
NOTE: As of April 13:
NOTE: AA is now accepting miles as well as dollars for Challenges, at 10,000 miles per $100.
NOTE: American Airlines generally doesn't offer status matches to elite members of other airlines' frequent flyer schemes; they offer paid Challenges, shortcuts to status. AA have made significant changes to the AAdvantage Gold and Platinum elite status challenge initiated 2016 (originally begun in 1998) available to anyone, regardless of status on AA or another airline (unless these people have attempted or completed a recent challenge, or are trying to use a challenge to regain status - that is not allowed). 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 affinity groups; 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.
See the obsolete thread regarding the Challenge prior to 2016 here.
Frequently Asked Questions and Requirements
="3"%Q. What are the requirements for successfully completing a Challenge?
="3"%AAdvantage Gold status:Earn 7,000 Elite Qualifying Miles / EQM
OR fly 8 Elite Qualifying Segments / EQS
AND earn $1,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars / EQD
within a three month period
AND pay a non-refundable fee (see below)
See the "What are AA Gold / GLD benefits? Are they worth it?" thread here.
="3"%AAdvantage Platinum status: Earn 12,500 Elite Qualifying Miles / EQM
OR fly 16 Elite Qualifying Segments in three consecutive months
AND earn $2,000 in Elite Qualifying Dollars
within a three month period
AND pay a non-refundable fee (see below)
See the "What are AA Platinum / PLAT benefits? Are they worth it?" thread here.
Fees we know so far for Jan-Jun 2019 (same as 2018):
Fees we know so far for Jan-Jun 2019):
Fees we know so far for Jun-Dec 2019):
Challenge begun on or before 15 June 2019: after successful challenge your earned status will be valid through Jan 31 2020
Challenge begun on or after 16 Jun: after successful challenge earned status will be valid through Jan 31 2021
NOTE: See FAQ: Earning EQD / Elite Qualifying Dollars on AA and partner airlines (2017 on) for further information about earning EQD credit on AA and partner airlines.
="2"%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 as far five days (If you aren’t requesting and paying for interim status).
="2"%Q. How long will Challenge-earned elite status last?
2019 Rule: Challenges started prior to 16 June 2019 earn status good through 31 Jan 2020; challenges started 16 June or after earn status good through 31 Jan 2021. (It is the start date, not the date of the phone call or the date the challenge is completed, that matters.)
2018 Rule: Challenges started prior to 16 June 2018 earn status good through 31 Jan 2019; challenges started 16 June or after earn status good through 31 Jan 2020. (It is the start date, not the date of the phone call or the date the challenge is completed, that matters.)
="2"%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:
="2"%Q. How many EQM do I earn per flown mile?
On AA marketed flights (AA flight on your boarding pass - regardless of operating carrier) and AY, BA, IB, JL and QF marketed flights you may earn, on qualifying paid fares:
For tables on aa.com showing EQM earning on partner airlines' specific fares, see here.
="2"%Q. Is there a passenger age requirement for the challenge?
No.
="2"%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 toward your challenge fee.
="2"%Q. Will my credit card spend EQD apply for the Challenge?
No. You must earn your Challenge-qualifying EQD on spend for travel under the same requirements as earning EQM for the Challenge.
="2"%Q. Will my baggage, upgrade and other incidental spend be calculated as EQD apply for the Challenge?
No. You must earn your Challenge-qualifying EQD on spend for travel under the same requirements as earning EQM for the Challenge.
="2"%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 2017 (particularly the wikipost at the top of the page) for further information about earning EQM on AA and its partners.
="2"%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.
="2"%Q. Must I fly four segments at least marketed by AA?
No; there is no longer a requirement for earning AAdvantage status in 2017. You may earn Gold or Platinum status flying qualifying AY, BA, IB, JL or QF marketed flights for Challenge-earned AAdvantage status.
="2"%Q. How can I calculate miles flown for EQM calculations on partner airlines?
Distance calculations may be made reasonably with Great Circle Mapper (link).
="2"%Q. I've noticed some have been granted Gold upon enrollment. Can I?
This now depends on a fee paid at the beginning of your Challenge. See Challenge criteria above.
="2"%Q. Do I automatically gain Gold status when I earn 7,000 EQM on my Platinum Challenge?
The new policy is said to allow Gold upon fulfillment of Gold Challenge criteria. It is unspecified at this time if this is automatic, and won't apply if you paid for interim Platinum status.
Current policy appears to be that if you sign up for a Platinum Challenge without interim status then you will not be granted gold upon fulfilling the Gold Challenge criteria until after the last day of the Platinum Challenge should you happen to fall short of meeting the Platinum Challenge criteria yet still met the Gold Challenge criteria.
="2"%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, EQD and EQS to earn higher status, regardless of Challenge status.
="2"%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.
="2"%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. (However, AA may be getting more liberal about permitting challenges, according to some posts.)
See the first post for the known history of the AA Status Challenge.
LINK to archive of older posts from this thread.
Note: there is a "reingagement challenge" to get back miles lost for inactivity within 18 months after your miles were lost from account inactivitythe last five years, which can be read about here: How to Reactivate / Restore Expired Miles – Reengagement Challenge (consolidated)
Please read before asking questions. Read the Feb 2018 email sent Challengers in Post #1.
Please help update information or fill in the blanks by sharing what you learn.
NOTE: As of April 13:
I hope my email finds you and yours safe and well and having celebrated a nice Easter!
Thanks for reaching out to us regarding your AAdvantage® elite challenge. I understand your concern.
Please know we are monitoring this situation very closely and constantly evaluating how to best serve our members in this quickly changing environment.
At this time, we are not pausing or extending challenge end dates. If you are not able to meet the requirements contact us after the end date of the qualification period, April 30th when we are in a better position to evaluate any canceled travel due to the virus. At that time, we will review your account and evaluate the situation on a individual basis.
We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding during this evolving situation.
As always, thanks for being an AAdvantage member! We appreciate you.
Thanks for reaching out to us regarding your AAdvantage® elite challenge. I understand your concern.
Please know we are monitoring this situation very closely and constantly evaluating how to best serve our members in this quickly changing environment.
At this time, we are not pausing or extending challenge end dates. If you are not able to meet the requirements contact us after the end date of the qualification period, April 30th when we are in a better position to evaluate any canceled travel due to the virus. At that time, we will review your account and evaluate the situation on a individual basis.
We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding during this evolving situation.
As always, thanks for being an AAdvantage member! We appreciate you.
NOTE: AA is now accepting miles as well as dollars for Challenges, at 10,000 miles per $100.
NOTE: American Airlines generally doesn't offer status matches to elite members of other airlines' frequent flyer schemes; they offer paid Challenges, shortcuts to status. AA have made significant changes to the AAdvantage Gold and Platinum elite status challenge initiated 2016 (originally begun in 1998) available to anyone, regardless of status on AA or another airline (unless these people have attempted or completed a recent challenge, or are trying to use a challenge to regain status - that is not allowed). 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 affinity groups; 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.
See the obsolete thread regarding the Challenge prior to 2016 here.
Frequently Asked Questions and Requirements
="3"%Q. What are the requirements for successfully completing a Challenge?
="3"%AAdvantage Gold status:Earn 7,000 Elite Qualifying Miles / EQM
OR fly 8 Elite Qualifying Segments / EQS
AND earn $1,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars / EQD
within a three month period
AND pay a non-refundable fee (see below)
See the "What are AA Gold / GLD benefits? Are they worth it?" thread here.
="3"%AAdvantage Platinum status: Earn 12,500 Elite Qualifying Miles / EQM
OR fly 16 Elite Qualifying Segments in three consecutive months
AND earn $2,000 in Elite Qualifying Dollars
within a three month period
AND pay a non-refundable fee (see below)
See the "What are AA Platinum / PLAT benefits? Are they worth it?" thread here.
Fees we know so far for Jan-Jun 2019 (same as 2018):
Fees we know so far for Jan-Jun 2019):
- $180 PLATINUM challenge without interim status
- $380 PLATINUM challenge with interim Gold status
- $480 PLATINUM challenge with interim Platinum status
Fees we know so far for Jun-Dec 2019):
- $140 GOLD challenge without interim status
- $320 GOLD challenge with Gold interim status
- $240 PLATINUM challenge without interim status
- $430 PLATINUM challenge with interim Gold status
- $540 PLATINUM challenge with interim Platinum status
Challenge begun on or before 15 June 2019: after successful challenge your earned status will be valid through Jan 31 2020
Challenge begun on or after 16 Jun: after successful challenge earned status will be valid through Jan 31 2021
NOTE: See FAQ: Earning EQD / Elite Qualifying Dollars on AA and partner airlines (2017 on) for further information about earning EQD credit on AA and partner airlines.
="2"%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 as far five days (If you aren’t requesting and paying for interim status).
="2"%Q. How long will Challenge-earned elite status last?
2019 Rule: Challenges started prior to 16 June 2019 earn status good through 31 Jan 2020; challenges started 16 June or after earn status good through 31 Jan 2021. (It is the start date, not the date of the phone call or the date the challenge is completed, that matters.)
="2"%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 as it is part of the JBA should work
* "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 generally the exceptions to this requirement.
="2"%Q. How many EQM do I earn per flown mile?
On AA marketed flights (AA flight on your boarding pass - regardless of operating carrier) and AY, BA, IB, JL and QF marketed flights 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
- 1.5 EQM per base mile flown in Premium Economy
- 1 EQM minimum per base mile in all other qualifying fares, 0.5 on Basic Economy
- Earning should always be checked on the marketing carrier’s page on aa.com
For tables on aa.com showing EQM earning on partner airlines' specific fares, see here.
="2"%Q. Is there a passenger age requirement for the challenge?
No.
="2"%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 toward your challenge fee.
="2"%Q. Will my credit card spend EQD apply for the Challenge?
No. You must earn your Challenge-qualifying EQD on spend for travel under the same requirements as earning EQM for the Challenge.
="2"%Q. Will my baggage, upgrade and other incidental spend be calculated as EQD apply for the Challenge?
No. You must earn your Challenge-qualifying EQD on spend for travel under the same requirements as earning EQM for the Challenge.
="2"%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 2017 (particularly the wikipost at the top of the page) for further information about earning EQM on AA and its partners.
="2"%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.
="2"%Q. Must I fly four segments at least marketed by AA?
No; there is no longer a requirement for earning AAdvantage status in 2017. You may earn Gold or Platinum status flying qualifying AY, BA, IB, JL or QF marketed flights for Challenge-earned AAdvantage status.
="2"%Q. How can I calculate miles flown for EQM calculations on partner airlines?
Distance calculations may be made reasonably with Great Circle Mapper (link).
="2"%Q. I've noticed some have been granted Gold upon enrollment. Can I?
This now depends on a fee paid at the beginning of your Challenge. See Challenge criteria above.
="2"%Q. Do I automatically gain Gold status when I earn 7,000 EQM on my Platinum Challenge?
Current policy appears to be that if you sign up for a Platinum Challenge without interim status then you will not be granted gold upon fulfilling the Gold Challenge criteria until after the last day of the Platinum Challenge should you happen to fall short of meeting the Platinum Challenge criteria yet still met the Gold Challenge criteria.
="2"%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, EQD and EQS to earn higher status, regardless of Challenge status.
="2"%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.
="2"%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. (However, AA may be getting more liberal about permitting challenges, according to some posts.)
See the first post for the known history of the AA Status Challenge.
LINK to archive of older posts from this thread.
Note: there is a "reingagement challenge" to get back miles lost for inactivity within 18 months after your miles were lost from account inactivity
HELP DESK & FAQ: Gold and Platinum Status Challenge
Oct 17, 2018, 10:36 am
#151
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Platinum, Admirals Club Member, HHonors
Posts: 77
Good afternoon,
I'm currently gold and booked on a sequence of flights in the next few weeks that should have ~2k EQD and 11k EQM, would it be smart to try to challenge for plat? There's no way I make plat through my normal spend/EQM, but it's likely I make the remainder of the EQM within the challenge timetable. Will they let you challenge even if the itinerary is already booked?
I'm currently gold and booked on a sequence of flights in the next few weeks that should have ~2k EQD and 11k EQM, would it be smart to try to challenge for plat? There's no way I make plat through my normal spend/EQM, but it's likely I make the remainder of the EQM within the challenge timetable. Will they let you challenge even if the itinerary is already booked?
Oct 17, 2018, 4:04 pm
#152
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Good afternoon,
I'm currently gold and booked on a sequence of flights in the next few weeks that should have ~2k EQD and 11k EQM, would it be smart to try to challenge for plat? There's no way I make plat through my normal spend/EQM, but it's likely I make the remainder of the EQM within the challenge timetable. Will they let you challenge even if the itinerary is already booked?
I'm currently gold and booked on a sequence of flights in the next few weeks that should have ~2k EQD and 11k EQM, would it be smart to try to challenge for plat? There's no way I make plat through my normal spend/EQM, but it's likely I make the remainder of the EQM within the challenge timetable. Will they let you challenge even if the itinerary is already booked?
If you complete within the three months at this time of year (through June 2019), your status will be valid through 31 Jan 2020.
You’ll be barred from future challenges for ~a couple of years after that.
Oct 19, 2018, 12:48 pm
#154
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
While I've understood that the challenge can be set for any future date, if I recall correctly a start date can be back-dated for five days (if the challenge doesn't include interim status) so flights flown in the past five days as well could count towards the challenge.
Not sure if this has changed but it's actually kind of a nice policy if someone was on the fence and already took flights that incurred heavy earnings.
Not sure if this has changed but it's actually kind of a nice policy if someone was on the fence and already took flights that incurred heavy earnings.
Nov 29, 2018, 3:04 pm
#156
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I just want to be sure I understand this before I do something stupid.
I took advantage of the CX Black Friday sale to buy SFO-HKG RT in PE (E booking class). This is 13,854 miles. The flight is in Jan 2019. I was planning on crediting to AS, but if I call and do an AA challenge for platinum, and then credit this flight to AA, I'll pay about $200 to do the challenge with no intermediate status. Then after I fly this trip I will earn 1.5 EQM / mile = 20,376 EQM. I will also earn 0.2*13,854 = 2716.8 EQD. So... that will complete my challenge (by a wide margin) and I'll be platinum until the end of Jan 2020? All with just one round trip and about $200 in fees?
Is that correct?
EDIT: Never mind, it looks like CX is not eligible?
I took advantage of the CX Black Friday sale to buy SFO-HKG RT in PE (E booking class). This is 13,854 miles. The flight is in Jan 2019. I was planning on crediting to AS, but if I call and do an AA challenge for platinum, and then credit this flight to AA, I'll pay about $200 to do the challenge with no intermediate status. Then after I fly this trip I will earn 1.5 EQM / mile = 20,376 EQM. I will also earn 0.2*13,854 = 2716.8 EQD. So... that will complete my challenge (by a wide margin) and I'll be platinum until the end of Jan 2020? All with just one round trip and about $200 in fees?
Is that correct?
EDIT: Never mind, it looks like CX is not eligible?
Last edited by VegasGambler; Nov 29, 2018 at 3:36 pm
Dec 4, 2018, 10:32 am
#157
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: AA Plat, MPC Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 116
I am Plat for 2019. I have some planned travel in 2019, which I am hoping to use to expedite to EXP.
Can I start Plat challenge for 2020? My first planned flight will be in Jan-Feb. That should give me ~+20K EQM and ~+3K EQD. I am thinking for $220, I will be EXP quicker than going the straight route? Am I missing anything?
Thanks,
Can I start Plat challenge for 2020? My first planned flight will be in Jan-Feb. That should give me ~+20K EQM and ~+3K EQD. I am thinking for $220, I will be EXP quicker than going the straight route? Am I missing anything?
Thanks,
Jan 3, 2019, 10:24 am
#158
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: AA PLAT
Posts: 30
I just called in to sign up for the Platinum Challenge. I am currently Gold (expiring Jan 31), and I paid $500 to have interim Platinum status. They offered challenge without status for $200. They also confirmed that at the end of the challenge if I don't reach Platinum, but do reach Gold, Gold will be awarded.
Definitely beats the $750 they offered me to extend my Gold status given that I have a lot of travel planned in the next three months anyway.
Definitely beats the $750 they offered me to extend my Gold status given that I have a lot of travel planned in the next three months anyway.
Jan 4, 2019, 12:42 pm
#159
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
I just called in to sign up for the Platinum Challenge. I am currently Gold (expiring Jan 31), and I paid $500 to have interim Platinum status. They offered challenge without status for $200. They also confirmed that at the end of the challenge if I don't reach Platinum, but do reach Gold, Gold will be awarded.
Definitely beats the $750 they offered me to extend my Gold status given that I have a lot of travel planned in the next three months anyway.
Definitely beats the $750 they offered me to extend my Gold status given that I have a lot of travel planned in the next three months anyway.
Jan 4, 2019, 10:18 pm
#160
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 106
I had signed up for the challenge in late November, and it showed in the app. Now when I log into the app to try and see my progress it no longer appears. Not sure if there was an update and now I can't see it, or if it is wiped when the new year began. Either way, it should still be active as I have 3 months to complete it (end of February). Any idea how to get the tracker back on the app? This happen to anyone else?
Jan 4, 2019, 11:23 pm
#161
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I had signed up for the challenge in late November, and it showed in the app. Now when I log into the app to try and see my progress it no longer appears. Not sure if there was an update and now I can't see it, or if it is wiped when the new year began. Either way, it should still be active as I have 3 months to complete it (end of February). Any idea how to get the tracker back on the app? This happen to anyone else?
Jan 4, 2019, 11:37 pm
#162
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Tucson, AZ
Programs: Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 100
I had signed up for the challenge in late November, and it showed in the app. Now when I log into the app to try and see my progress it no longer appears. Not sure if there was an update and now I can't see it, or if it is wiped when the new year began. Either way, it should still be active as I have 3 months to complete it (end of February). Any idea how to get the tracker back on the app? This happen to anyone else?
Jan 6, 2019, 9:02 am
#163
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 21
Another data point and question.
I signed up for a Gold status challenge in December. The cost was $130. I will easily make this with an upcoming round trip ORD - MAD - LIS ticketed via Iberia in a cheap premium economy fare and an earlier flight roundtrip ORD-LGA This also was going to put me pretty close to completing the platinum challenge if I booked one more flight that I was uncertain of at the time. I ended up booking this flight (SLC - ORD one way). At the time I signed up the agent recommending only signing up for the Gold challenge and down the road if I met (or was going to meet) the platinum requirement to call and upgrade the challenge for $150. Otherwise, a failure to meet the platinum challenge outright would result in NOT getting gold status even if this was met. Anyone have experience with calling and upgrading the challenge?
I signed up for a Gold status challenge in December. The cost was $130. I will easily make this with an upcoming round trip ORD - MAD - LIS ticketed via Iberia in a cheap premium economy fare and an earlier flight roundtrip ORD-LGA This also was going to put me pretty close to completing the platinum challenge if I booked one more flight that I was uncertain of at the time. I ended up booking this flight (SLC - ORD one way). At the time I signed up the agent recommending only signing up for the Gold challenge and down the road if I met (or was going to meet) the platinum requirement to call and upgrade the challenge for $150. Otherwise, a failure to meet the platinum challenge outright would result in NOT getting gold status even if this was met. Anyone have experience with calling and upgrading the challenge?
Jan 6, 2019, 3:52 pm
#164
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: TUS/ORD/LAS
Programs: AA Plt, Marriott Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 51
I just called in to sign up for the Platinum Challenge. I am currently Gold (expiring Jan 31), and I paid $500 to have interim Platinum status. They offered challenge without status for $200. They also confirmed that at the end of the challenge if I don't reach Platinum, but do reach Gold, Gold will be awarded.
Definitely beats the $750 they offered me to extend my Gold status given that I have a lot of travel planned in the next three months anyway.
Definitely beats the $750 they offered me to extend my Gold status given that I have a lot of travel planned in the next three months anyway.
Just finished the platinum challenge with interim Platinum status 01/04/2019 - I had signed up in October. FWIW, during the challenge, I hit Gold status (via the "standard way" i.e. 3K EQD+ 30K EQM). In any event, my status was always Platinum throughout the challenge, and my counter on the App was always set to achieve Platinum Pro......there was never any indication of receiving Gold if I had NOT achieved the challenge. The agent and the email I received from AA after signing up for the challenge also never mentioned Gold status if I didn't finish the challenge.
I'm hoping YMMV - just to be safe, I would make sure to finish the Platinum challenge and not assume Gold will be awarded! Good luck!
Jan 6, 2019, 4:01 pm
#165
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: TUS/ORD/LAS
Programs: AA Plt, Marriott Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 51
"I am Plat for 2019. I have some planned travel in 2019, which I am hoping to use to expedite to EXP.
Can I start Plat challenge for 2020? My first planned flight will be in Jan-Feb. That should give me ~+20K EQM and ~+3K EQD. I am thinking for $220, I will be EXP quicker than going the straight route? Am I missing anything?"
You cannot challenge to maintain status i.e. If you are Plat you cannot do a Plat challenge. Also there is no EXP challenge - just the standard requirements (EQD/EQM/segments)
Can I start Plat challenge for 2020? My first planned flight will be in Jan-Feb. That should give me ~+20K EQM and ~+3K EQD. I am thinking for $220, I will be EXP quicker than going the straight route? Am I missing anything?"
You cannot challenge to maintain status i.e. If you are Plat you cannot do a Plat challenge. Also there is no EXP challenge - just the standard requirements (EQD/EQM/segments)