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
#406
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EP, MUCCI, Proudly BA Blue,.
Posts: 888
Just signed up for the Platinum Challenge. Price was $430 but if I meet the challenge I have status through 1/31/23. After seeing Platinum status on my AA webpage, immediately went to all future reservations to book into MCE for free - yay!
BUT, I have several BA flights coming up, and for some reason they're still seeing me as OW Ruby which is odd. I assume it's just taking a while to propagate through system (he said hopefully) - will try for free seats again in a few days...
BUT, I have several BA flights coming up, and for some reason they're still seeing me as OW Ruby which is odd. I assume it's just taking a while to propagate through system (he said hopefully) - will try for free seats again in a few days...
#407
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Posts: 655
Just signed up for the Platinum Challenge. Price was $430 but if I meet the challenge I have status through 1/31/23. After seeing Platinum status on my AA webpage, immediately went to all future reservations to book into MCE for free - yay!
BUT, I have several BA flights coming up, and for some reason they're still seeing me as OW Ruby which is odd. I assume it's just taking a while to propagate through system (he said hopefully) - will try for free seats again in a few days...
BUT, I have several BA flights coming up, and for some reason they're still seeing me as OW Ruby which is odd. I assume it's just taking a while to propagate through system (he said hopefully) - will try for free seats again in a few days...
#408
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 228
Just signed up for the Platinum Challenge. Price was $430 but if I meet the challenge I have status through 1/31/23. After seeing Platinum status on my AA webpage, immediately went to all future reservations to book into MCE for free - yay!
BUT, I have several BA flights coming up, and for some reason they're still seeing me as OW Ruby which is odd. I assume it's just taking a while to propagate through system (he said hopefully) - will try for free seats again in a few days...
BUT, I have several BA flights coming up, and for some reason they're still seeing me as OW Ruby which is odd. I assume it's just taking a while to propagate through system (he said hopefully) - will try for free seats again in a few days...
#409
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 1
Got the updated details:
Gold – $700 EQD plus either 7 Segments or 6000 Miles ($140 with status during challenge)
Platinum – $1500 EQD plus either 14 segments or 12000 Miles ($430 with status during challenge)
3 calendar months and good for Jan 2023. must start on the day you call to enter.
if you enter gold challenge, you can pay later to switch it to platinum. if you enter platinum and only complete the gold reqs, youll get gold for the year.
Gold – $700 EQD plus either 7 Segments or 6000 Miles ($140 with status during challenge)
Platinum – $1500 EQD plus either 14 segments or 12000 Miles ($430 with status during challenge)
3 calendar months and good for Jan 2023. must start on the day you call to enter.
if you enter gold challenge, you can pay later to switch it to platinum. if you enter platinum and only complete the gold reqs, youll get gold for the year.
#410
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EP, MUCCI, Proudly BA Blue,.
Posts: 888
If this were the case, why wouldn’t everyone take the gold challenge then pay later for platinum, avoiding the extra EQM’s and EQD’s?
#411
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
I entered the 1st semester Platinum Challenge.... does anybody know if you can call AA and have them switch you to the second semester Challenge which would yield another additional year of Status...? I dont mind paying the Challenge cost difference, I understand 2nd semester Challenges are normally more expensive because of the extended status validity.
Thanks,
Gaucho100K
Thanks,
Gaucho100K
#412
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
Does anyone know how long the three months is exactly? I am getting ready to sign up for the Hyatt version of this. Registration ends on 9/30 so I will register then. I am anticipating a long flight on 12/30 and wondering if it will count.
#413
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: PHX
Programs: AAexp, AC75k, HertzPC, NationalEE, Accor/MariottP, Hilton/HyattG
Posts: 3,614
Air Canada is doing an INSANE status match up to 75K(Star Gold) just for flying one round trip on AC. For ANY US based elite flyer. See all details and table below:
https://canada.statusmatch.com/faq/
Status valid until 2022 December. Only one round trip on AC required. Plat Pro and AAEXP gets *G(50k/75k on AC).
I was approved in 5 minutes
https://canada.statusmatch.com/faq/
Status valid until 2022 December. Only one round trip on AC required. Plat Pro and AAEXP gets *G(50k/75k on AC).
I was approved in 5 minutes
Last edited by SKYEG; Sep 27, 2021 at 1:05 pm
#414
Join Date: Dec 2019
Programs: AA: Exec Plat; AC: 75K; JX: Explorer; HH: Dia; Bonvoy: Gold; Wyndham: Dia
Posts: 299
Air Canada is doing an INSANE status match up to 75K(Star Gold) just for flying one round trip on AC. For ANY US based elite flyer. See all details and table below:
https://canada.statusmatch.com/faq/
Status valid until 2022 December. Only one round trip on AC required. Plat Pro and AAEXP gets *G(50k/75k on AC).
I was approved in 5 minutes
https://canada.statusmatch.com/faq/
Status valid until 2022 December. Only one round trip on AC required. Plat Pro and AAEXP gets *G(50k/75k on AC).
I was approved in 5 minutes
#415
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: PHX
Programs: AAexp, AC75k, HertzPC, NationalEE, Accor/MariottP, Hilton/HyattG
Posts: 3,614
Did you get the application number when you go check your status match check? You need to put that number in on the status tracker
mine went from received to approved, then i got an email saying account will update within 5 biz days.
mine went from received to approved, then i got an email saying account will update within 5 biz days.
Last edited by SKYEG; Sep 27, 2021 at 2:18 pm
#416
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: PHX
Programs: AAexp, AC75k, HertzPC, NationalEE, Accor/MariottP, Hilton/HyattG
Posts: 3,614
Compared, AA EXP challenge is $4000 EQD, 28000 EQM. Plat Pro 18,000 EQM and $2300 EQD(plus no status granted temporary for 90 days unless you pay?!).
AC = One round trip to requal and temp stats granted
AC = One round trip to requal and temp stats granted
Last edited by SKYEG; Sep 28, 2021 at 5:02 pm
#417
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
I assume you went ahead and registered on 9/30? If so you should be able to see now under Promotions that it's valid through 12/30.
#419
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: WN A-list Preferred and CP, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, RIP Kimpton
Posts: 853
My apologies if I missed the answer to this question in the thread…
Let’s assume I sign up for a challenge that ends on December 31.
I book a flight that departs December 26 and returns January 1.
Are all of the EQD’s for the R/T itinerary earned once I fly the first segment?
Let’s assume I sign up for a challenge that ends on December 31.
I book a flight that departs December 26 and returns January 1.
Are all of the EQD’s for the R/T itinerary earned once I fly the first segment?
#420
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EP, MUCCI, Proudly BA Blue,.
Posts: 888
My apologies if I missed the answer to this question in the thread…
Let’s assume I sign up for a challenge that ends on December 31.
I book a flight that departs December 26 and returns January 1.
Are all of the EQD’s for the R/T itinerary earned once I fly the first segment?
Let’s assume I sign up for a challenge that ends on December 31.
I book a flight that departs December 26 and returns January 1.
Are all of the EQD’s for the R/T itinerary earned once I fly the first segment?