huberw

Right, but in those 3 months if I fly 25K miles I'll get 18K miles more than I would if I didn't do the challenge, which is worth over 2x the challenge fee (at the current buying rate).

BostonSammy

My mistake. You are correct. It is worth it. In addition to the extra miles, it will also give you access to Main Cabin Extra. I think Golds are no longer eligible.

critterchick

Golds are eligible until the end of February or March. Then they can buy MCE for 50% off in advance or get it complimentary at check-in, if any seats are left. But I'd spend the money for the challenge to get MCE when I book the flight.

jetsfan92588

My challenge is starting on Jan 10th and it was only $200 to enroll.

Sprezzatura

Welcome to the AA Elite world, OP.

pauleeepaul

I don't know where this rate came from. I would use something about half of this. As always YMMV.

yyzAAguy

There are other benefits. Perhaps my PLT Challenge story will be illustrative.

My qualifying flight delivered me to Cancun. Several days later, I flew home to Toronto (as a newly-minted "Platinum", which was emblazoned on my boarding passes) via Chicago, in the winter. The situation, naturally, went sideways on us in Chicago. My partner didn't have Global Entry and the queue was 2.5 hours just to get to the Immigration agent. I had Global Entry so I breezed through and dealt with the airline. I gave up our seats on the scheduled flight. Therefore, we were voluntarily not boarding and we weren't entitled to confirmed seats on later flights. But because I was Platinum the GA confirmed us on the next flight out, which was the second-last of the night.

That plane had a lightning strike inbound to ORD and was grounded. Now, only the last flight of the night was scheduled and all pax from the second-last were waitlisted for it. Oversell was 40 people. WE got on.

Platinum Status is the only reason I slept in my own bed in Toronto that night, instead of a horrible bench in ORD, or an expensive hotel.

And don't forget lounge access on International itineraries, including Mexico City.

vasantn

It doesn't matter when you hit it in 2014. It will expire 2/2016. You are confusing regular qualification with challenge qualification.

Also, in the interest of accuracy, status earned through a challenge will be good through 2/2016 if the challenge start date is June 16 or later. It has nothing to do with when you "hit it."

We do strive for accuracy here; please cooperate! There are many people here who actually know stuff, so guessing is generally not required.

huberw

FYI, called yesterday and started my challenge. I was able to get it back dated by 2 weeks to include a recent transcon flight I took and I was also able to get the $200 challenge fee waived because I expressed disappointment that I was not eligible for the recent targeted HVFP1 platinum promotion linked below. I spoke with a supervisor at the gold desk and she was wonderful.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ade-hvfp1.html

So I don't get the status immediately and I won't get the 20x 500 mile stickers like in the promo, but I will get plat status by 2/14 based on booked travel already and it didn't cost me anything out of pocket. I'd call that a win!

Microwave

As this question and ones like it do come up from time to time, we maintain a consolidated thread on the topic, to which your question and its replies have been moved. Please do keep in mind that searching for an extant relevant thread is required of all members before starting a new thread.

~Moderator

Tintin

I was PLT in 2013, but I will have no status in 2014. I wasn't sure whether it might be worth paying-up $1200 for PLT buy-back. However, today I learned a couple of PLT benifits that I wasn't aware of, which makes me to re-think about the buy-back option:

1. Free International Lounge Access.
2. Without PLT, 500 Miles Upgrades cannnot be used from for any Economy class fare.

What are the other "not-so-well-known", or "not-so-explicit", or "Hidden" benifits of being PLT?

How about GLD? I think point (2) above works for GLD as well. I can also select Exit row seats anytime and MCE seats after the specified peiod (24 hours before deperture?) with GLD. So, what are the major benifits for being PLT? There is a big $550 difference between $650 and $1200. What are the explicit and hidden value of this extra $550?

On another note, I have a few trip to ORD-LHR coming-up. Can I use the lounge in ORD and LHR during the onward journey? Say, I get dinner at ORD's lounge, and then take a shower at LHR after landing? Will it work?

It will be great to have a thread with all the hidden benifits.

Also, my 2012-2014 PLT was by using a Challange. Do you think AA will let me sign-up for PLT challange again in June if I don't use the buy-back? Is there any policy about this?

Thanks everyone. I thought to put-up all my questions in one thread. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Tintin

SFOPhD

These are neither hidden nor not-so-explicit. All benefits are outlined:
http://www.aa.com/content/images/AAd...mber_Guide.pdf

Lots of people have asked the same question are you:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html

Platinum members get departure but not arrival lounge access, as covered in the link above and:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ess-rules.html

Again, none are hiding.

Tintin

Thanks very much. So, there is no hidden benefit for $1200?

Thanks,
Tintin

austin_res

PLT benefits are well publicized, as SFOPhD pointed out. To me, PLT is most valuable if you fly international or long domestic flights. If your travel is mostly short domestic flights, especially on regional jets, PLT is only marginally better than GLD.

A few more things to keep in mind: For 500-mile upgrades, PLT have higher priority over GLD. Also, starting March 1, GLD will have to pay to reserve MCE seats, which may include exit rows depending on the aircraft. MCE will remain free for PLT.

SDQBound

I'm having a hard time trying to understand this statement. Is there any difference between PLT and GLD in terms of fare when it comes to upgrades?