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
Jan 14, 2020, 4:27 am
#331
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 7
If you complete a platinum status challenge before June 16th you get platinum until January of the following year (2021 in this case). If you then obtain platinum pro or executive platinum after June 16th does status still expire on the following year (2021) or does it reset expiration date to 2022?
Jan 14, 2020, 8:21 am
#332
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
If you complete a platinum status challenge before June 16th you get platinum until January of the following year (2021 in this case). If you then obtain platinum pro or executive platinum after June 16th does status still expire on the following year (2021) or does it reset expiration date to 2022?
Jan 14, 2020, 12:32 pm
#333
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 228
I signed up for the Platinum challenge this morning with no interim status. For reference, here's what I was quoted:
Gold, no interim status: $120
Gold, with Gold status immediately: $300
Platinum, no interim status: $200
Platinum, with Gold status immediately: $400
Platinum, with Platinum status immediately: $500
EQM/EQD requirements were as in the wiki.
I have no history on my AAdvantage account; I only moved to the US in November and previously any AA flights I had were credited to BA.
I charged the $200 fee to my Amex Platinum so we'll see if that triggers the airline spend benefit.
Gold, no interim status: $120
Gold, with Gold status immediately: $300
Platinum, no interim status: $200
Platinum, with Gold status immediately: $400
Platinum, with Platinum status immediately: $500
EQM/EQD requirements were as in the wiki.
I have no history on my AAdvantage account; I only moved to the US in November and previously any AA flights I had were credited to BA.
I charged the $200 fee to my Amex Platinum so we'll see if that triggers the airline spend benefit.
Jan 22, 2020, 9:15 pm
#334
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: AAdvantage, Southwest RR
Posts: 1
I'm considering starting a Platinum challenge with interim status starting with a trip to Europe next month. Since this flight is already booked and I paid $286 extra for MCE seats, would that cost be refunded since they are a Platinum benefit? Or can those dollars be credited toward the challenge?
Jan 27, 2020, 9:34 am
#335
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: VCE
Programs: SPG PLAT, GP DIAMOND
Posts: 115
Noob question:
if I enroll in gold challenge but I earn in the 3 months period the requirements for the platinum, do they give me automatically platinum or not?
Ex:
I have a couple of biz class tix MXP-NYC that give to me around 15000 EQM and 1400EQD each, if i enroll in gold challenge do they'll give me plat even if i'm not enrolled in plat challenge?
Sorry if that has already been mentioned
if I enroll in gold challenge but I earn in the 3 months period the requirements for the platinum, do they give me automatically platinum or not?
Ex:
I have a couple of biz class tix MXP-NYC that give to me around 15000 EQM and 1400EQD each, if i enroll in gold challenge do they'll give me plat even if i'm not enrolled in plat challenge?
Sorry if that has already been mentioned
Jan 27, 2020, 10:59 am
#336
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
Noob question:
if I enroll in gold challenge but I earn in the 3 months period the requirements for the platinum, do they give me automatically platinum or not?
Ex:
I have a couple of biz class tix MXP-NYC that give to me around 15000 EQM and 1400EQD each, if i enroll in gold challenge do they'll give me plat even if i'm not enrolled in plat challenge?
Sorry if that has already been mentioned
if I enroll in gold challenge but I earn in the 3 months period the requirements for the platinum, do they give me automatically platinum or not?
Ex:
I have a couple of biz class tix MXP-NYC that give to me around 15000 EQM and 1400EQD each, if i enroll in gold challenge do they'll give me plat even if i'm not enrolled in plat challenge?
Sorry if that has already been mentioned
Jan 28, 2020, 10:26 pm
#337
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: $9 Fare Club
Posts: 1,485
I think I know the answer to this already but anyway...
I'm going to drop to Gold from PPro, however have just found out I'll have a ton of work travel over the next few months - I assume I'm scoped out of paying the $200 and signing up for the Platinum challenge?
I'm going to drop to Gold from PPro, however have just found out I'll have a ton of work travel over the next few months - I assume I'm scoped out of paying the $200 and signing up for the Platinum challenge?
Jan 29, 2020, 4:43 pm
#338
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,814
Once you've dropped to Gold on Feb 1, you should be able to get the Plat Challenge, assuming you haven't done it too often already. I did it a year ago.
Feb 3, 2020, 8:47 am
#340
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Northern Virginia
Programs: UA Gold, AA PLT, Hertz PC, Marriott Gold
Posts: 107
Can you use miles to pay for a challenge? I know you are able to use mile for buy-ups, if offered, but I've never heard of anyone using mile to par for a challenge.
I currently have no AA status but am sitting on ~600K miles from when I used to fly AA often. I'm considering switching back from UA but they will not offer me a free challenge as I did not re-qualify for 1K last year.
I currently have no AA status but am sitting on ~600K miles from when I used to fly AA often. I'm considering switching back from UA but they will not offer me a free challenge as I did not re-qualify for 1K last year.
Feb 3, 2020, 3:51 pm
#341
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: $9 Fare Club
Posts: 1,485
100% correct SpammersAre Scum - thank you.
Called today and the agent was able to apply the challenge to my account.
$200 w/o PLT benefits during the challenge period.
To the poster branston above, the agent did offer me the option to pay for the challenge with miles - 50k for the $500 PLT challenge.
Called today and the agent was able to apply the challenge to my account.
$200 w/o PLT benefits during the challenge period.
To the poster branston above, the agent did offer me the option to pay for the challenge with miles - 50k for the $500 PLT challenge.
Feb 4, 2020, 8:06 am
#342
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Northern Virginia
Programs: UA Gold, AA PLT, Hertz PC, Marriott Gold
Posts: 107
Confirmed. I called in and was offered to pay for any of the challenges with miles 1k miles per $10. So if I went with the $200 challenge they would deduct 20k miles. I opted for the 50k PLT challenge and now waiting for my status to be updated so I can update my upcoming trips.
Feb 9, 2020, 12:28 am
#343
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: United Premier Platinum
Posts: 638
I earned my first AA status (PLT) via a challenge completed just after NYD 2017. I then got up to PRO the “real” way in 2017 and boosted to EXP at the very end of the year. In 2018 I requalified for EXP the real way, but then earned nothing but kettle status in 2019.
Would I be eligible for a PLT challenge later this year based on that pattern? If I did one this year, how long would I have to wait before I’d again be offered boosts/challenges?
Would I be eligible for a PLT challenge later this year based on that pattern? If I did one this year, how long would I have to wait before I’d again be offered boosts/challenges?
Feb 10, 2020, 1:04 pm
#344
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,814
I earned my first AA status (PLT) via a challenge completed just after NYD 2017. I then got up to PRO the “real” way in 2017 and boosted to EXP at the very end of the year. In 2018 I requalified for EXP the real way, but then earned nothing but kettle status in 2019.
Would I be eligible for a PLT challenge later this year based on that pattern? If I did one this year, how long would I have to wait before I’d again be offered boosts/challenges?
Would I be eligible for a PLT challenge later this year based on that pattern? If I did one this year, how long would I have to wait before I’d again be offered boosts/challenges?
1. Your status at time of challenge is lower than the one you're challenging for
2. You are within your challenge quota, which appears to be 2 every 5 years
So you seem to be good on both counts.
As for being offered a boost/challenge, you'd probably be offered a chance to buy up to a higher status late in the year, as long as your earning has put you within some unknown distance of reaching it. Challenge offers are pretty rare.
Feb 14, 2020, 11:19 pm
#345
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Santa Clara, Calif.
Programs: AA 1MM (Back to GLD for now)
Posts: 164
Wanting to get back to making my username accurate again 
, I am considering the Plat Challenge for a trip to Milan (LIN) in early June (of course it couldn't be 10 days later).
Just a GLD Million Miler now, have not done a challenge in maybe 10 years.
We are on AA flight numbers on the outbound and BA flight numbers on the return, all tickets are on 001 (although I understand that doesn't matter any longer).
By my calcs, we should get 5,368 * 1.5 or 8,052 EQMs on the SFO-LHR leg, and another 610 on the leg from LHR-LIN, total of 8662 EQMs.
On the BA return LIN-LHR-SFO, I calculate the EQMs as exactly the same, due to the fare buckets V and T, respectively.
So, I should net a total of 17,324 EQMs, per my calcs. Good enough for the Plat Challenge.
However, I'm a bit lost when it comes to calculating the EQDs.
I did NOT get this ticket on AA.com, I got it on the Amex Travel site, so I don't have a breakdown of the actual fare for the AA flight numbers.
I calculated the BA flight EQDs per the chart as: 10% of flight miles for LIN-LHR, and 20% of flight miles for LHR-SFO, for a total of 1,135 EQDs for the BA flights.
But, I cannot accurately determine the EQD calculation for the AA flight numbers.
All help gratefully appreciated.
I don't do this stuff nearly as much any longer so I ain't as sharp as I once (thought I) was...
- Plat (well, working on it anyway)
, I am considering the Plat Challenge for a trip to Milan (LIN) in early June (of course it couldn't be 10 days later).Just a GLD Million Miler now, have not done a challenge in maybe 10 years.
We are on AA flight numbers on the outbound and BA flight numbers on the return, all tickets are on 001 (although I understand that doesn't matter any longer).
By my calcs, we should get 5,368 * 1.5 or 8,052 EQMs on the SFO-LHR leg, and another 610 on the leg from LHR-LIN, total of 8662 EQMs.
On the BA return LIN-LHR-SFO, I calculate the EQMs as exactly the same, due to the fare buckets V and T, respectively.
So, I should net a total of 17,324 EQMs, per my calcs. Good enough for the Plat Challenge.
However, I'm a bit lost when it comes to calculating the EQDs.
I did NOT get this ticket on AA.com, I got it on the Amex Travel site, so I don't have a breakdown of the actual fare for the AA flight numbers.
I calculated the BA flight EQDs per the chart as: 10% of flight miles for LIN-LHR, and 20% of flight miles for LHR-SFO, for a total of 1,135 EQDs for the BA flights.
But, I cannot accurately determine the EQD calculation for the AA flight numbers.
All help gratefully appreciated.
I don't do this stuff nearly as much any longer so I ain't as sharp as I once (thought I) was...
- Plat (well, working on it anyway)