Mar 21, 2013, 3:13 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
HELP DESK: AAdvantage Elite Status Challenge (Gold and Platinum)
Challenges may no longer be enrolled in as of 6 Oct; hard end date 23 Dec 2015 -
but some reporting success 6 Oct backdating to 23 Sep by supervisors
This is the archived thread about the now defunct AAdvantage elite Gold and Platinum status challenge. The current thread can be read here.
Challenges may no longer be enrolled in as of 6 Oct; hard end date 23 Dec 2015 -
but some reporting success 6 Oct backdating to 23 Sep by supervisors
This is the archived thread about the now defunct AAdvantage elite Gold and Platinum status challenge. The current thread can be read here.
NOTE: Challenges were closed off September 23 2015, at least for the remainder of 2015 - some have succeeded in enrolling and backdating to 23 Sep.
It is possible a new, remodeled challenge will be announced in or for 2016. That discussion is here: Original Gold / Platinum Challenge Ended 23 Sep '15. New program to come?
This thread is now dedicated to requests for assistance and responses to clarify challenge requirements for those members currently engaged in challenges and related issues. To discuss the potential and form of any future challenge, please use the link provided above.
NOTE: The rules for the Challenge at the time of closure are preserved below. The date by which the last person would have completed this challenge would be 23 December 2015.
It is possible a new, remodeled challenge will be announced in or for 2016. That discussion is here: Original Gold / Platinum Challenge Ended 23 Sep '15. New program to come?
This thread is now dedicated to requests for assistance and responses to clarify challenge requirements for those members currently engaged in challenges and related issues. To discuss the potential and form of any future challenge, please use the link provided above.
NOTE: The rules for the Challenge at the time of closure are preserved below. The date by which the last person would have completed this challenge would be 23 December 2015.
Note: The four AA segment minimum required for regular status qualification does not apply to completing the challenge.
Class of service, status or other bonus miles are redeemable miles and thus do not count for the challenge. Class of service is the reigning factor in calculating the points earned per mile flown: the base points per mile charts for the various fare buckets on qualifying airlines are here.
Note: The "Reach elite status faster" promotion awarding 2 or even 3 EQ Points per mile for flying premium fares through 2015 does not apply to the challenge; challenge flyers will only have a maximum of 1.5 base EQP per base EQ Mile considered for challenge-earned status. The extra points are considered bonus points and are only applicable for earning "normal", non-challenge status.
Though one earned status bonus miles on the qualifying flight at one time, that is no longer possible. Status bonus miles will accrue on the next eligible flight after your status qualifying flight.
Also see (FT) Help Understanding Status, Points / Miles & Segments: EQM vs EQP (merged thread) for further assistance with the miles-EQMiles-points issue.
For miles calculations, many use the Great Circle Mapper tool
*for Platinum, Jan-Jun $200, Jul - Dec $240 - presumably for the max nine months of status vs. the max of 20 months $240 of status. Occasionally, there are "sales" reductions; they seem to be about 10%.
Challenges begun before June 16 of a given year earn status for the remainder of that year and the first two months of the following year (8-14 months total); challenges begun on or after June 16 grant status for the remainder of that year, the following year, and the first two months of the year after (14-20 months total). Challenges can begin anytime (not previously the case) and can even be backdated up to two weeks as far as we know (as of Nov 2013).
To sign up for a challenge, call AAdvantage Customer Service at +1-800-882-8880.
Link to cyclingpilot post about being granted a back-dated challenge (2 weeks)
You cannot use a challenge to requalify for status. There is no longer a "soft landing" to the next lower level of status. The flight on which the challenge is completed no longer earns the redeemable miles bonus for the new status level.
Some have been granted Gold status whilst flying a Platinum challenge, particularly those with current elite status (any level) on an airline of a competing alliance, but this is not a given.
Based on multiple reports from FT members, as of mid-2015 AA is only allowing one status challenge over a five year period.
August 2014 e-mail received by a Challenger, shared by ashill:
Thank you for registering for an AAdvantage® challenge.
To enjoy AAdvantage PLATINUM status through February 2016, please earn 10,000 elite qualifying points between now and [redacted]. Qualifying flights on American Airlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection®, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas, US Airways and their eligible codeshare flights count toward your challenge.
Since the number of elite qualifying points you earn is based on the fare you purchase and the miles you earn, you can view these details for each airline:We wish you every success in attaining the elite status level you desire.
Sincerely,
Janet L F[redacted]
Director
AAdvantage Customer Service
Thank you for registering for an AAdvantage® challenge.
To enjoy AAdvantage PLATINUM status through February 2016, please earn 10,000 elite qualifying points between now and [redacted]. Qualifying flights on American Airlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection®, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas, US Airways and their eligible codeshare flights count toward your challenge.
Since the number of elite qualifying points you earn is based on the fare you purchase and the miles you earn, you can view these details for each airline:We wish you every success in attaining the elite status level you desire.
Sincerely,
Janet L F[redacted]
Director
AAdvantage Customer Service
ARCHIVE: HELP DESK: AA Elite Status Challenge (CLOSED: "hard end" 23 Dec 2015)
Dec 2, 2014, 9:22 am
#556
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CUR
Posts: 2,170
Interesting observation on my plat challenge
I was on a plat challenge ending 28 Nov and had Gold status during the challenge. I was at 9300 EQP by October and took my last qualifying flight (a BA flight for 740 points) on the last day - 28th Nov.
On 29th - on AA.com I had lost the gold status as the challenge period had ended.
On 30th - on AA.com I was Gold again - presumably due to having 9300 EQP during the challenge.
on 1st Dec - My BA flight from 28th posted and AA.com showed platinum right away. However, I did not get any bonus RDM (neither 25% for Gold nor 100% for Platinum). No big issue as it was a small segment but left me wondering how their IT works!
I had to call BA to buy a V class fare that posted 100% EQM/EQP. It all worked out fine in the end. Plat till 2/2016!
I was on a plat challenge ending 28 Nov and had Gold status during the challenge. I was at 9300 EQP by October and took my last qualifying flight (a BA flight for 740 points) on the last day - 28th Nov.
On 29th - on AA.com I had lost the gold status as the challenge period had ended.
On 30th - on AA.com I was Gold again - presumably due to having 9300 EQP during the challenge.
on 1st Dec - My BA flight from 28th posted and AA.com showed platinum right away. However, I did not get any bonus RDM (neither 25% for Gold nor 100% for Platinum). No big issue as it was a small segment but left me wondering how their IT works!
I had to call BA to buy a V class fare that posted 100% EQM/EQP. It all worked out fine in the end. Plat till 2/2016!
The system probably got confused since you weren't Gold when the flight posted. You can call AAdvantage and have it fixed.
Last edited by Djokison; Dec 2, 2014 at 9:32 am
Dec 2, 2014, 9:28 am
#557
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CUR
Posts: 2,170
Okay I have a newbie question for everyone out there so I hope that I can some help here. I just want to make sure I am understanding everything correctly, so I don’t make any mistakes and maximize my earning and possibly my status. This is my first year focusing on AA as a program, so I want to make sure I am getting the most out of it. I have 37,220 miles of flights booked an ticketed between January 1 February 28. I am considering applying for the Platinum challenge since that was the status I was going to achieve by year end anyway I just am unsure what would happen after I complete the challenge, and how it would affect 2016. Below is a breakdown of my flights.
US PHL-LAS Booking Class E EQP=1088 EQM=2176
US LAS-PHL Booking Class E EQP=1088 EQM=2176
BA EWR-LHR Booking Class O EQP=1732 EQM=3465
BA LHR-DOH Booking Class O EQP=1629 EQM=3259
BA DOH-LHR Booking Class O EQP=1629 EQM=3259
BA LHR-EWR Booking Class O EQP=1732 EQM=3465
AA EWR-ORD Booking Class N EQP=359 EQM=719
JAL ORD-NRT Booking Class N EQP=3137 EQM=1882
JAL NRT-HAN Booking Class N EQP=1157 EQM=694
AA HAN-NRT Booking Class Q EQP=1157 EQM=2314 (Codeshare on JAL)
AA NRT-DFW Booking Class Q EQP=3213 EQM=6427
AA DFW-EWR Booking Class Q EQP=686 EQM=1372
Giving me a total EQP of 18610 and EQM of 31208.
I believe the platinum challenge requires 10k EQP so I should have that covered easily. My question is when I complete the challenge will I only need 18972 more EQM to maintain Platinum status for 2016? (50000-31208=18972) In this case since everything is already ticketed and all this travel will be done between 1/14/15 to 2/23/15 when is the best time to apply for the challenge? Any other tips or suggestions if you were in my shoes?
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide me.
US PHL-LAS Booking Class E EQP=1088 EQM=2176
US LAS-PHL Booking Class E EQP=1088 EQM=2176
BA EWR-LHR Booking Class O EQP=1732 EQM=3465
BA LHR-DOH Booking Class O EQP=1629 EQM=3259
BA DOH-LHR Booking Class O EQP=1629 EQM=3259
BA LHR-EWR Booking Class O EQP=1732 EQM=3465
AA EWR-ORD Booking Class N EQP=359 EQM=719
JAL ORD-NRT Booking Class N EQP=3137 EQM=1882
JAL NRT-HAN Booking Class N EQP=1157 EQM=694
AA HAN-NRT Booking Class Q EQP=1157 EQM=2314 (Codeshare on JAL)
AA NRT-DFW Booking Class Q EQP=3213 EQM=6427
AA DFW-EWR Booking Class Q EQP=686 EQM=1372
Giving me a total EQP of 18610 and EQM of 31208.
I believe the platinum challenge requires 10k EQP so I should have that covered easily. My question is when I complete the challenge will I only need 18972 more EQM to maintain Platinum status for 2016? (50000-31208=18972) In this case since everything is already ticketed and all this travel will be done between 1/14/15 to 2/23/15 when is the best time to apply for the challenge? Any other tips or suggestions if you were in my shoes?
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide me.
Once you complete the challenge, you'll have PLT status till Feb 29 2016. To extend it to Feb 28 2017, you'll have to fly the additional 19.000 (EQ)miles.
You can apply for the challenge about a month in advance till 2 weeks past the date of your first flight. So calling a couple of days in advance is fine.
Dec 3, 2014, 9:06 am
#558
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: RNO, PHL, SLC
Programs: DL Platinum, AA EXP
Posts: 214
Hi All. This info is all very valuable. I'm a Delta Silver and would like to do the status challenge for AA Gold.
First, I'm trying to call the AAdvantage customer service line (1-800-882-8800) and they will not pick up the phone. Is this normal? I'm calling during their normal business hours but either the call drops or I get a recording saying all agents are busy and to call back later. I don't even get place on hold.
Second, it looks like some folks doing the Plat challenge are granted Gold status immediately. Has anyone been granted Gold status immediately for the Gold challenge?
First, I'm trying to call the AAdvantage customer service line (1-800-882-8800) and they will not pick up the phone. Is this normal? I'm calling during their normal business hours but either the call drops or I get a recording saying all agents are busy and to call back later. I don't even get place on hold.
Second, it looks like some folks doing the Plat challenge are granted Gold status immediately. Has anyone been granted Gold status immediately for the Gold challenge?
Dec 3, 2014, 10:22 am
#559
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CUR
Posts: 2,170
Hi All. This info is all very valuable. I'm a Delta Silver and would like to do the status challenge for AA Gold.
First, I'm trying to call the AAdvantage customer service line (1-800-882-8800) and they will not pick up the phone. Is this normal? I'm calling during their normal business hours but either the call drops or I get a recording saying all agents are busy and to call back later. I don't even get place on hold.
Second, it looks like some folks doing the Plat challenge are granted Gold status immediately. Has anyone been granted Gold status immediately for the Gold challenge?
First, I'm trying to call the AAdvantage customer service line (1-800-882-8800) and they will not pick up the phone. Is this normal? I'm calling during their normal business hours but either the call drops or I get a recording saying all agents are busy and to call back later. I don't even get place on hold.
Second, it looks like some folks doing the Plat challenge are granted Gold status immediately. Has anyone been granted Gold status immediately for the Gold challenge?
Dec 3, 2014, 4:14 pm
#560
Moderator, Amtrak & Spirit Airlines
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: EWR :rolleyes:
Programs: AC 50K, AS MVP, AA Plat Pro, DL Plat, UA Silver, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 9,632
Your math is right except for the JAL flights. ORD-NRT earns 941EQP and NRT-HAN earns 347EQP.
Once you complete the challenge, you'll have PLT status till Feb 29 2016. To extend it to Feb 28 2017, you'll have to fly the additional 19.000 (EQ)miles.
You can apply for the challenge about a month in advance till 2 weeks past the date of your first flight. So calling a couple of days in advance is fine.
Once you complete the challenge, you'll have PLT status till Feb 29 2016. To extend it to Feb 28 2017, you'll have to fly the additional 19.000 (EQ)miles.
You can apply for the challenge about a month in advance till 2 weeks past the date of your first flight. So calling a couple of days in advance is fine.
Dec 4, 2014, 7:14 am
#561
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TPA/DFW/K15
Programs: AA EXP, Mar AMB, HH LT DIA
Posts: 1,653
Correct, you can use a past date (up to 2 weeks) as the start date.
Keep in mind that it's EQPoints and not EQMiles, that count for the challenge.
JL flights do count for the challenge, however, remember to check this link, as some flights only earn 15% of the BIS miles as points.
You can request she be awarded Gold status. Whether she'll be awarded Gold is up to the agent. You can always try the HUCA method, if the first one isn't willing to grant immediate Gold status.
Keep in mind that it's EQPoints and not EQMiles, that count for the challenge.
JL flights do count for the challenge, however, remember to check this link, as some flights only earn 15% of the BIS miles as points.
You can request she be awarded Gold status. Whether she'll be awarded Gold is up to the agent. You can always try the HUCA method, if the first one isn't willing to grant immediate Gold status.
Dec 4, 2014, 6:50 pm
#562
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 235
Hi everyone, I need some advice on behalf of a family member.
My sister is planning to fly AA more often in 2015. I'm assuming that she'll make Gold status next year through flights alone, but I brought up the idea of doing a challenge so that she can start enjoying the benefits earlier.
That said, she already has a Citi AA Platinum Select card, so she gets a free checked bag and Group 1 boarding. She also has TSA PreCheck (Pre✓). I know that Gold status comes with a few additional perks. But is it worth paying the $120 to do this challenge? What would you do?
By the way -- she actually just took a roundtrip on an AA codeshare from SFO-LHR last week, so she instantly has more than the 5,000 EQP needed to complete the challenge. Assuming they'll let her backdate the start, that is.
Thanks in advance to anyone out there.
My sister is planning to fly AA more often in 2015. I'm assuming that she'll make Gold status next year through flights alone, but I brought up the idea of doing a challenge so that she can start enjoying the benefits earlier.
That said, she already has a Citi AA Platinum Select card, so she gets a free checked bag and Group 1 boarding. She also has TSA PreCheck (Pre✓). I know that Gold status comes with a few additional perks. But is it worth paying the $120 to do this challenge? What would you do?
By the way -- she actually just took a roundtrip on an AA codeshare from SFO-LHR last week, so she instantly has more than the 5,000 EQP needed to complete the challenge. Assuming they'll let her backdate the start, that is.
Thanks in advance to anyone out there.
Dec 5, 2014, 2:42 pm
#563
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 21
So I did a platinum challenge this year in the Spring during a flight to Asia. I never requalified for Platinum throughout the year so am losing it in Feb, but did qualify for Gold by the end of the year. Will I have Gold through 2015 or does this go away with the platinum?
Dec 5, 2014, 3:00 pm
#564
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
So I did a platinum challenge this year in the Spring during a flight to Asia. I never requalified for Platinum throughout the year so am losing it in Feb, but did qualify for Gold by the end of the year. Will I have Gold through 2015 or does this go away with the platinum?
Dec 5, 2014, 9:07 pm
#565
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: Delta Platinum, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 308
Hi everyone, I need some advice on behalf of a family member.
My sister is planning to fly AA more often in 2015. I'm assuming that she'll make Gold status next year through flights alone, but I brought up the idea of doing a challenge so that she can start enjoying the benefits earlier.
That said, she already has a Citi AA Platinum Select card, so she gets a free checked bag and Group 1 boarding. She also has TSA PreCheck (Pre✓). I know that Gold status comes with a few additional perks. But is it worth paying the $120 to do this challenge? What would you do?
By the way -- she actually just took a roundtrip on an AA codeshare from SFO-LHR last week, so she instantly has more than the 5,000 EQP needed to complete the challenge. Assuming they'll let her backdate the start, that is.
Thanks in advance to anyone out there.
My sister is planning to fly AA more often in 2015. I'm assuming that she'll make Gold status next year through flights alone, but I brought up the idea of doing a challenge so that she can start enjoying the benefits earlier.
That said, she already has a Citi AA Platinum Select card, so she gets a free checked bag and Group 1 boarding. She also has TSA PreCheck (Pre✓). I know that Gold status comes with a few additional perks. But is it worth paying the $120 to do this challenge? What would you do?
By the way -- she actually just took a roundtrip on an AA codeshare from SFO-LHR last week, so she instantly has more than the 5,000 EQP needed to complete the challenge. Assuming they'll let her backdate the start, that is.
Thanks in advance to anyone out there.
Dec 6, 2014, 12:10 pm
#566
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: RNO, PHL, SLC
Programs: DL Platinum, AA EXP
Posts: 214
Whoops! Bonehead move...I had the number wrong!
Just wanted to report back:
-I asked if they would comp me Gold immediately for the Gold Challenge, and the agent said no, but they could do it for a Plat Challenge.
-So, I signed up for the Plat Challenge, was charged $200 and was comp'd Gold Status immediately.
-The Gold Status was applied within 24hours to an existing reservation so I was able to select priority seats.
-I asked about buying up to J on my return flights which I was able to do for a surprisingly reasonable fare difference.
-So, with the buy-up to A and I fares on the return, I'll complete the challenge with this one trip.
A couple of side notes.
-I've been flying exclusively with DL for the past 8 years so I was very surprised that I could buy-up to J so easily and so cheaply! If I would have tried this buy-up with DL, it would have been outrageously expensive. (Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think DL makes you buy-up to a YBM fare first then you can buy further up to J).
-The agent I spoke to about the challenge was great: super helpful and informative.
-However, when I called into reservations about the buy-up I got a less than enthusiastic agent who didn't sound very happy about her job. Big change coming from DL where all the phone agents seem to be pleasant and upbeat.
-I'm looking forward to checking out the AA experience from the airport to inflight in both Y and J.
Just wanted to report back:
-I asked if they would comp me Gold immediately for the Gold Challenge, and the agent said no, but they could do it for a Plat Challenge.
-So, I signed up for the Plat Challenge, was charged $200 and was comp'd Gold Status immediately.
-The Gold Status was applied within 24hours to an existing reservation so I was able to select priority seats.
-I asked about buying up to J on my return flights which I was able to do for a surprisingly reasonable fare difference.
-So, with the buy-up to A and I fares on the return, I'll complete the challenge with this one trip.
A couple of side notes.
-I've been flying exclusively with DL for the past 8 years so I was very surprised that I could buy-up to J so easily and so cheaply! If I would have tried this buy-up with DL, it would have been outrageously expensive. (Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think DL makes you buy-up to a YBM fare first then you can buy further up to J).
-The agent I spoke to about the challenge was great: super helpful and informative.
-However, when I called into reservations about the buy-up I got a less than enthusiastic agent who didn't sound very happy about her job. Big change coming from DL where all the phone agents seem to be pleasant and upbeat.
-I'm looking forward to checking out the AA experience from the airport to inflight in both Y and J.
Dec 6, 2014, 6:08 pm
#567
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,261
You were supposed to have received the Bonus RDM for being gold. You are not due the Plat bonus though, as you weren't Plat during the flight. You don't get the Bonus for your qualifying flight.
The system probably got confused since you weren't Gold when the flight posted. You can call AAdvantage and have it fixed.
The system probably got confused since you weren't Gold when the flight posted. You can call AAdvantage and have it fixed.
I did get a call from AA customer service welcoming me to Platinum and to inform that a card is being mailed out. Nice touch!
Dec 9, 2014, 8:27 pm
#568
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
I'm a Delta Diamond. I'm about to spend some serious money doing the US Airways Chairman's Preferred challenge (30,000 miles in 90 days). However, I've heard from three Delta Diamonds -- and verified (I saw the card!) one -- who said American matched them with Executive Platinum with no challenge requirement. Can anyone confirm they've seen, heard or personally experienced this?
Dec 14, 2014, 10:49 am
#569
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: DL DM 2MM, BA Bronze, Various Hotels
Posts: 10,187
I'm a Delta Diamond. I'm about to spend some serious money doing the US Airways Chairman's Preferred challenge (30,000 miles in 90 days). However, I've heard from three Delta Diamonds -- and verified (I saw the card!) one -- who said American matched them with Executive Platinum with no challenge requirement. Can anyone confirm they've seen, heard or personally experienced this?
Dec 14, 2014, 4:17 pm
#570
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DC Suburbs
Programs: DL Gold, Hilton Gold, Carnival VIFP Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 459
2015 AA Platinum Status Challenge?
Any word or speculation if there will be an AA Status Challenge program in 2015 to earn status through 2/28/2017?
My Father in Law is retiring in June and wants to travel the world after retiring. Before his retirement he has a couple intercontinental premium flights (including 4 AA segments) in Business Class next spring. He should certainly be able to meet the requirements for the platinum challenge as they were for this year (earn in 2014 for status through 2/28/2016), just curious if they'll still have this challenge next year.
Also, if you sign up for the challenge, do flights which were BOOKED before you sign up but FLOWN during the challenge period count towards the 10,000 point requirement for Platinum?
Thanks!
My Father in Law is retiring in June and wants to travel the world after retiring. Before his retirement he has a couple intercontinental premium flights (including 4 AA segments) in Business Class next spring. He should certainly be able to meet the requirements for the platinum challenge as they were for this year (earn in 2014 for status through 2/28/2016), just curious if they'll still have this challenge next year.
Also, if you sign up for the challenge, do flights which were BOOKED before you sign up but FLOWN during the challenge period count towards the 10,000 point requirement for Platinum?
Thanks!