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
May 3, 2021, 4:50 pm
#376
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP/OWE, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 880
Greetings FT,
I have a quick question regarding the AA status challenge offering. Would trips booked on QR qualify towards the EQM/EQD requirements? I am booked in J for JFK-DOH-DPS later this year and would be interested in joining AAdvantage, should this trip count towards the requirements. Apologies if this has been answered elsewhere, I couldn't find anything via search.
I have a quick question regarding the AA status challenge offering. Would trips booked on QR qualify towards the EQM/EQD requirements? I am booked in J for JFK-DOH-DPS later this year and would be interested in joining AAdvantage, should this trip count towards the requirements. Apologies if this has been answered elsewhere, I couldn't find anything via search.
Below is the Qatar earnings table by fare class.
May 3, 2021, 6:08 pm
#377
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,681
AA Status Challenge - latest experiences & questions
I tried a search and didnt find more than 2 or 3 threads related to this, none of them were very long - so I am assuming there is no "master thread" related to this subject. So Im going to venture out and start a new thread - hoping to hear from all the resident AA experts and also those that have recently approached AA about a Status Challenge.
I have recently come out of my FF retirement and am 1 flight away from earning Gold Status. I will be ticketing my next AA travel in the next 48 hours and will be flying that itin in the next 4-5 weeks. My flight patterns for 2021 will most probably get me to Platinum Status (most likely I wont be able to make it to Platinum Pro)... also, I have not received a targeted email regarding the Challenge (not sure if AA sends these outside of the USA), so I will have no choice but to call AA and ask them to look at my profile and price out the Challenge.
With these things considered (I know the info I offer is not a lot), I wonder if I should ask about a Gold or Platinum Challenge... and what would be the best timing for me to request activation for this challenge. Is the timeframe for completion still fixed at 90 days from the start of the Challenge, or has this been modified due to the CoVid pandemic...?
Any thoughts, advice and insight would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers from EZE,
Alex (Gaucho100K)
I have recently come out of my FF retirement and am 1 flight away from earning Gold Status. I will be ticketing my next AA travel in the next 48 hours and will be flying that itin in the next 4-5 weeks. My flight patterns for 2021 will most probably get me to Platinum Status (most likely I wont be able to make it to Platinum Pro)... also, I have not received a targeted email regarding the Challenge (not sure if AA sends these outside of the USA), so I will have no choice but to call AA and ask them to look at my profile and price out the Challenge.
With these things considered (I know the info I offer is not a lot), I wonder if I should ask about a Gold or Platinum Challenge... and what would be the best timing for me to request activation for this challenge. Is the timeframe for completion still fixed at 90 days from the start of the Challenge, or has this been modified due to the CoVid pandemic...?
Any thoughts, advice and insight would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers from EZE,
Alex (Gaucho100K)
May 3, 2021, 6:24 pm
#378
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,551
Call AA and ask. There is presently no page (that I could find) on the AA site with information, but status challenges are usually not a deep dark secret, or available only from targeted mailings. Yes, you usually have 90 days to meet the requirements. The price varies by when you start the challenge, but the expiration does also. If you start the challenge in the first half of the year status will expire 1/31 of the next year; if you start it in the second half status will expire 13 months after the end of the year. I think you can also pay extra to have status start when the challenge starts. I don't think they do challenges above Platinum. That's all from memory and the information may be outdated.
May 4, 2021, 7:04 am
#379
Join Date: Dec 2019
Programs: AA: Exec Plat; AC: 75K; JX: Explorer; HH: Dia; Bonvoy: Gold; Wyndham: Dia
Posts: 299
Greetings FT,
I have a quick question regarding the AA status challenge offering. Would trips booked on QR qualify towards the EQM/EQD requirements? I am booked in J for JFK-DOH-DPS later this year and would be interested in joining AAdvantage, should this trip count towards the requirements. Apologies if this has been answered elsewhere, I couldn't find anything via search.
I have a quick question regarding the AA status challenge offering. Would trips booked on QR qualify towards the EQM/EQD requirements? I am booked in J for JFK-DOH-DPS later this year and would be interested in joining AAdvantage, should this trip count towards the requirements. Apologies if this has been answered elsewhere, I couldn't find anything via search.
May 5, 2021, 3:45 pm
#381
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,681
So... I called AA today and got my offer for the Plat Challenge. Im ready to pull the trigger, but the agent explained that I would be best served to wait until June 16th to begin the Challenge, so as to maximize the duration of my Status. My problem with this is that my next long-haul trip (EZE-DFW-MIA) is on June 6th, and I was counting on that outbound leg to complete my Challenge. If I use the 5 day window allowed, it would appear that I could "only" bring back my start date to June 11th, so 5 days short of having my flights count.
Based on this, I have the following questions.....
a) does AA entertain granting additional flexibility with backdating challenge start dates, so as to have my flights count...?
b) does AA have any flexibility with starting the second semester challenge on June 1st instead of June 15th...?
c) if I complete a Challenge during 2021, dont I hold the gained status though the entire 2022 calendar year - ie until 12/31/2022...?
Thanks very much.
Based on this, I have the following questions.....
a) does AA entertain granting additional flexibility with backdating challenge start dates, so as to have my flights count...?
b) does AA have any flexibility with starting the second semester challenge on June 1st instead of June 15th...?
c) if I complete a Challenge during 2021, dont I hold the gained status though the entire 2022 calendar year - ie until 12/31/2022...?
Thanks very much.
May 7, 2021, 2:32 pm
#382
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,681
Bumping this up....
Im now getting conflicting information from different agents. The first AA agent I spoke to said that I could pay for the Challenge and start the 90 day period in the future (pay now and start the Challenge on June 6th, the day of my next upcoming flight). I just called today to go ahead and pull the trigger, but now they say that I cannot do this, but instead have to wait until 1 or 2 days before June 6th to sign up.... what gives...?
BTW, the offer I got is $380 (or 38,000 miles) for the Platinum Challenge, with immediate status. No idea if this is on par with whats being offered to US based flyers, but this was the only option I appear to be eligible for.
Im now getting conflicting information from different agents. The first AA agent I spoke to said that I could pay for the Challenge and start the 90 day period in the future (pay now and start the Challenge on June 6th, the day of my next upcoming flight). I just called today to go ahead and pull the trigger, but now they say that I cannot do this, but instead have to wait until 1 or 2 days before June 6th to sign up.... what gives...?
BTW, the offer I got is $380 (or 38,000 miles) for the Platinum Challenge, with immediate status. No idea if this is on par with whats being offered to US based flyers, but this was the only option I appear to be eligible for.
May 7, 2021, 3:51 pm
#383
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
Bumping this up....
Im now getting conflicting information from different agents. The first AA agent I spoke to said that I could pay for the Challenge and start the 90 day period in the future (pay now and start the Challenge on June 6th, the day of my next upcoming flight). I just called today to go ahead and pull the trigger, but now they say that I cannot do this, but instead have to wait until 1 or 2 days before June 6th to sign up.... what gives...?
BTW, the offer I got is $380 (or 38,000 miles) for the Platinum Challenge, with immediate status. No idea if this is on par with whats being offered to US based flyers, but this was the only option I appear to be eligible for.
Im now getting conflicting information from different agents. The first AA agent I spoke to said that I could pay for the Challenge and start the 90 day period in the future (pay now and start the Challenge on June 6th, the day of my next upcoming flight). I just called today to go ahead and pull the trigger, but now they say that I cannot do this, but instead have to wait until 1 or 2 days before June 6th to sign up.... what gives...?
BTW, the offer I got is $380 (or 38,000 miles) for the Platinum Challenge, with immediate status. No idea if this is on par with whats being offered to US based flyers, but this was the only option I appear to be eligible for.
May 10, 2021, 4:23 pm
#384
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,681
Does anybody have experience in getting AA to advance the commencement date of the 2nd semester Challenge by 10 days...? My first long haul flight is on June 6th and I cant "afford" to wait until June 16th to begin my challenge. The second semester Challenge is more expensive that the one Im being offered now, and Im more than happy to pay the difference... but also would need to have the immediate Platinum Status for my flight on the 6th of June. Not sure there is a way for me to have my cake and eat it... but would appreciate any tips the AA elders may have up their sleeve...??
Thanks !!
Thanks !!
Jun 4, 2021, 10:09 am
#385
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IND/MEX
Programs: AA PPro BA Bronze SPG Gold HH GLD Hyatt Exp
Posts: 1,134
Gaucho, did you do it?
I'm thinking about doing the plat challenge in the middle of June and backdating it to June 13. Will AA swap FF numbers from BA to AA so I can get better seats?
I'm thinking about doing the plat challenge in the middle of June and backdating it to June 13. Will AA swap FF numbers from BA to AA so I can get better seats?
Jun 7, 2021, 10:49 am
#386
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,681
started my Challenge
Yes... I went ahead and bit - signed up on June 1st. At the AX Centurion lounge at DFW right now - on route to MIA. I have a pretty decent number of flights over the next 4 weeks and the up front Platinum status offered benefits that were just too good to pass up on. I travel very heavy due to my work and have to check (at least) 2 bags on every flight... not paying for 2 bags is a big deal for me, and if I add the mileage bonus and main cabin extra seats at no charge + benefits extended to by better half thats on the road with me made it all a very simple decision.
My only question now is how to see if I can get AA to allow me to "migrate" my 1st semester Challenge to a second semester version, perhaps by paying a difference...? The additional year in guaranteed status would be very interesting... although I still need to see if I cant actually make it to "normal" Platinum or even Plat Pro.
Cheers,
Alex / Gaucho100K
My only question now is how to see if I can get AA to allow me to "migrate" my 1st semester Challenge to a second semester version, perhaps by paying a difference...? The additional year in guaranteed status would be very interesting... although I still need to see if I cant actually make it to "normal" Platinum or even Plat Pro.
Cheers,
Alex / Gaucho100K
Jun 18, 2021, 3:11 pm
#388
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 95
Qatar flights
Make sure you connect your AAdvantage number to your reservations, otherwise it won't register your elite earnings. I apologize if this is a repeat post but earlier I received some unsavory information about my dog undergoing surgery so forgive me FT G-ds if I've over posted.
Below is the Qatar earnings table by fare class.
Below is the Qatar earnings table by fare class.
Jun 18, 2021, 6:19 pm
#389
Join Date: May 2021
Programs: Flying Blue Gold, BA Bronze, Ex-skywards Platnium
Posts: 646
I think there are only a few oneworld airlines that count for the status challenge (I think 5-7 of them). I know for sure Finnair, BA and Iberia are metal that are allowed but not sure about Qatar.
Jun 22, 2021, 6:47 pm
#390
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IND/MEX
Programs: AA PPro BA Bronze SPG Gold HH GLD Hyatt Exp
Posts: 1,134
Just called to start one and was told that there are none without immediate status. I wanted to do a plat one, but am not too keen on the cost. Can anyone shed light on this?