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)
Jan 10, 2015, 2:43 am
#616
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AAdvantage, United MP, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 1,137
A double check to be sure:
- I can complete an AA challenge by solely flying on BA
- BA premium economy (booked as a BA flight, no codeshare) will earn me 1.5 points/mile
Seems like a deal to me.
I completed a challenge in 2010. Achieved status the normal way afterwards. I'm currently Gold but will drop back to no-status after Feb. I suppose I can sign up for a challenge again.
- I can complete an AA challenge by solely flying on BA
- BA premium economy (booked as a BA flight, no codeshare) will earn me 1.5 points/mile
Seems like a deal to me.
I completed a challenge in 2010. Achieved status the normal way afterwards. I'm currently Gold but will drop back to no-status after Feb. I suppose I can sign up for a challenge again.
Last edited by kcaluwae; Jan 10, 2015 at 10:11 am
Jan 11, 2015, 1:37 pm
#617
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,107
What would happen in this scenario?
Plat challenge can be done (say 15k EQP) in March without any AA legs - Plat status until 2/2016
During the rest of 2015 let's say I credit 20k EQP more to AA, but less than 4 AA legs (possibly 0) - what will happen 1 March/2016? Gold or no status?
Or if I hit 50k EQP during 2015 shall I have Plat till 2/2017?
Plat challenge can be done (say 15k EQP) in March without any AA legs - Plat status until 2/2016
During the rest of 2015 let's say I credit 20k EQP more to AA, but less than 4 AA legs (possibly 0) - what will happen 1 March/2016? Gold or no status?
Or if I hit 50k EQP during 2015 shall I have Plat till 2/2017?
Jan 11, 2015, 2:00 pm
#618
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
I don't see any reason that doing a challenge would change the requalification criteria for the following year. So I think you'll still need 4 AA segments to get status through Feb 2017.
Jan 13, 2015, 9:53 am
#619
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: ALB;NYC
Programs: AA EXP; Hilton Gold; SPG/Marriott Gold; IHG Spire Ambassador
Posts: 58
Can I call AA now and have the challenge start on June 16th or should I wait until the date becomes a little closer?
Also, is it customary to be offered Gold status if you sign up for the Platinum Challenge?
Also, is it customary to be offered Gold status if you sign up for the Platinum Challenge?
Jan 13, 2015, 10:53 am
#620
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: LHR
Programs: AA
Posts: 773
On an external wiki, there seemed to be a lot of notes that doing a challenge makes it very unlikely you'll be able to do another challenge any time in the near future.
Is there any recent data on this? The reason I ask is because the information I was reading seemed to mainly be from several years ago, and I'm curious if anyone has any up to date information. I read a number of pages back in this thread and didn't find discussion of this specific matter.
I have some upcoming business class travel that would allow me to fairly easily complete a Platinum challenge, but it would be in the first half of this year, meaning I'd only have the status for 2015. If I don't do the challenge, I imagine I can hit Gold the normal way by the end of 2015, which would give me the full period of 2016 status.
If it weren't for the concerns about locking myself out in the future, I would simply do the PLT challenge and not worry about it, since I'd be guaranteed to have PLT for about 8 months and very likely have GLD for another 14. But since I'm not a heavy-hitter traveler like many FTers, I could image future years having fewer opportunities for "normal" status qualification and wanting to be able to use a challenge then. Should I be worried about this?
Is there any recent data on this? The reason I ask is because the information I was reading seemed to mainly be from several years ago, and I'm curious if anyone has any up to date information. I read a number of pages back in this thread and didn't find discussion of this specific matter.
I have some upcoming business class travel that would allow me to fairly easily complete a Platinum challenge, but it would be in the first half of this year, meaning I'd only have the status for 2015. If I don't do the challenge, I imagine I can hit Gold the normal way by the end of 2015, which would give me the full period of 2016 status.
If it weren't for the concerns about locking myself out in the future, I would simply do the PLT challenge and not worry about it, since I'd be guaranteed to have PLT for about 8 months and very likely have GLD for another 14. But since I'm not a heavy-hitter traveler like many FTers, I could image future years having fewer opportunities for "normal" status qualification and wanting to be able to use a challenge then. Should I be worried about this?
Jan 13, 2015, 4:54 pm
#621
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: BDL,CLT,LIM
Programs: AA,BA
Posts: 345
Just wait to June. The challenge will not go anywhere. In regards to temporary Gold: it is not customary to be offered the status but will depend on your situation as explained to the CSR. For example, I told him that I am status with another airline and have enough to qualify for Plat. Thereby he processed for Platinum Challenge and granted temporary Gold.
Jan 13, 2015, 4:59 pm
#622
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: Once upon a time...
Posts: 863
Just signed up for my Platinum challenge. Have an itinerary that will easily get me over the 10k points, and my Gold status expires in March. No problems signing up, and looking forward to being Platinum for the first time. Thanks to all who contributed to this thread.
Jan 13, 2015, 5:04 pm
#623
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: BDL,CLT,LIM
Programs: AA,BA
Posts: 345
Correct. That requirement only applies after completion of the challenge and in going forward to maintain/requalify for status
Jan 13, 2015, 5:57 pm
#624
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Toronto Canada (YYZ)
Programs: Aeroplan & AA Advantage
Posts: 170
Hey this may be a stupid question, but my main objective is to be exec platinum. If I sign up for this challenge, achieve platinum status, can I continue to exec platinum? I will be flying 100000 miles in 2015.
Jan 13, 2015, 6:07 pm
#625
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: LHR
Programs: AA
Posts: 773
Yes, although as I understand it, if you want to do a challenge in a future year, you may not be able to since you've already done one "recently." I asked a similar question a few posts ago (except about gold/plat rather than plat/exec) and am curious to hear what more experience fliers have to say about it.
Jan 13, 2015, 8:27 pm
#626
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're essentially looking for a shortcut to status benefits (e.g. double bonus miles, international lounge access, etc.) no problem. This option will earn you those at 10,000 EQP instead of 50k EQP or EQM or 60 segments, and with 100 EQP or EQM (or 120 segments) you'll be EP - but will be richer in miles and have a better customer service benefit.
Jan 13, 2015, 9:19 pm
#627
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: HKG
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, National Ex Elite
Posts: 43
Does anyone have any experience in getting a challenge for EXP? I have tickets purchased already that will give me 35k EQP's and I'm currently UA Platinum. Just looking to see if there is any chance to do that, since I know I'll cover the challenge and 100k for the year.
2015 is the year I'm making the move away from UA.
2015 is the year I'm making the move away from UA.
Jan 13, 2015, 9:33 pm
#628
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Does anyone have any experience in getting a challenge for EXP? I have tickets purchased already that will give me 35k EQP's and I'm currently UA Platinum. Just looking to see if there is any chance to do that, since I know I'll cover the challenge and 100k for the year.
2015 is the year I'm making the move away from UA.
2015 is the year I'm making the move away from UA.
Jan 15, 2015, 5:11 pm
#629
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 6
Hi. I am currently gold status on AA, expiring this coming february. I have a trip that will give me more than 10k miles june 9th, coming back july 8th. Question is if I go for the platinum challenge, will my flight back count to the challenge, since it will be past the deadline? Thanks in advance.
Jan 15, 2015, 6:18 pm
#630
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CUR
Posts: 2,170
Hi. I am currently gold status on AA, expiring this coming february. I have a trip that will give me more than 10k miles june 9th, coming back july 8th. Question is if I go for the platinum challenge, will my flight back count to the challenge, since it will be past the deadline? Thanks in advance.
The deadline is 3 months after the start of the challenge, July 8th is less than a month after your first flight, so not an issue.
Do keep in mind that the start date of the challenge is what decides when your status expires. Since its before June 15, it will only be valid till February of 2015, whereas challenges started after June 15 are valid till February 2017.