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 29, 2015, 1:45 am
#661
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Question for those that have completed the challenge recently. My flights posted yesterday that put me over the threshold for the Plat challenge, the only indication of this is when I log on to my AA account online or on my mobile. Do you eventually get an email? How long until your card showed up in the mail?
Thanks
Thanks
Jan 29, 2015, 2:50 pm
#662
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YYZ, NYC
Programs: Marriott Gold, JGC, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, AC 25K
Posts: 1,025
For the PLT challenge with Gold given at start, does one get the 25% elite bonus miles and the 500miles upgrades (after 10000miles) during the qualifying period?
Jan 29, 2015, 10:18 pm
#664
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 8
So I read threads dating back a while and it seemed backdating a challenge was possible. Wondering if anyone knows if that is still the case. Below is an example of my travel. Right now I've got a total of 14,876. I mistakingly thought one had to be gold to due the platinum challenge, thus the reason for not acting earlier. I believe the first two flights accumulated 1.5x points (and miles) because the ticket was full fair business.
01/09/15 AMERICAN AIRLINES 6196 C ORD LHR 3,953 1,977 5,930
01/16/15 AMERICAN AIRLINES 6197 C LHR ORD 3,953 1,977 5,930
01/18/15 2015 Currency Promo 0 250 250
01/18/15 AMERICAN AIRLINES 1537 F ORD MCO 1,005 503 1,508
01/21/15 2015 Currency Promo 0 250 250
01/21/15 AMERICAN AIRLINES 0153 F MCO ORD 1,005 503 1,508
Anyone know if I can backdate, as to where I'm automatically qualify for plat?
Thank you,
01/09/15 AMERICAN AIRLINES 6196 C ORD LHR 3,953 1,977 5,930
01/16/15 AMERICAN AIRLINES 6197 C LHR ORD 3,953 1,977 5,930
01/18/15 2015 Currency Promo 0 250 250
01/18/15 AMERICAN AIRLINES 1537 F ORD MCO 1,005 503 1,508
01/21/15 2015 Currency Promo 0 250 250
01/21/15 AMERICAN AIRLINES 0153 F MCO ORD 1,005 503 1,508
Anyone know if I can backdate, as to where I'm automatically qualify for plat?
Thank you,
Jan 29, 2015, 10:26 pm
#665
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
Just a follow up. I called customer service and they were able to backdate up to 2 weeks back. Apparently there's no exceptions to going beyond that period. I was able to reclaim about 8500 miles or so, so it served my purposes since I have an upcoming flight that will push me over the top on the first leg.
Thanks for sharing thevtesults of requesting a back dating for your Challenge, and congratulations.
Jan 30, 2015, 1:34 pm
#666
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BUR
Programs: AA, DL Platinum, AS, AF/KL, UA, VS, HA, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 1,788
My head is spinning trying to figure out the best course of action here.
In a nutshell: I will earn Gold with regular flying - approximately 30K EQMs and EQPs - by the end of March. The Gold status will be good until early 2017, but I'd like to be Platinum that would be good into early 2017.
Details:
I'm flying a great amount of international travel on both AA and BA in Business and Club respectively in February and March. Most of my itineraries earn 150% EQMs and EQPs which will put me at about 30k EQMs and EQPs. That puts me beyond the EQM and EQP Gold status threshold which would be good until early 2017.
I'm also planning a deep-discount itinerary in May that would likely earn about 5k EQMs and 2.5k EQPs. I can easily earn 15k EQMs in the rest of 2015, but not EQPs. It would be great to have Platinum status while earning these extra 20k EQMs.
Questions:
1. If I sign up for a Platinum Challenge before the 30K EQPs travel where I'm guaranteed to be granted Platinum that would only be good until early 2016, will the EQMs that I earn throughout 2015 still count as status qualifying miles toward 2016 status? In other words, if I win Platinum with the Status Challenge and then actually fly 50k MQMs in 2015, will I have Platinum status through early 2017?
2. (related to #1) Should I bother with a Platinum Challenge?
Thank you for reading and hope this wasn't too confusing.
In a nutshell: I will earn Gold with regular flying - approximately 30K EQMs and EQPs - by the end of March. The Gold status will be good until early 2017, but I'd like to be Platinum that would be good into early 2017.
Details:
I'm flying a great amount of international travel on both AA and BA in Business and Club respectively in February and March. Most of my itineraries earn 150% EQMs and EQPs which will put me at about 30k EQMs and EQPs. That puts me beyond the EQM and EQP Gold status threshold which would be good until early 2017.
I'm also planning a deep-discount itinerary in May that would likely earn about 5k EQMs and 2.5k EQPs. I can easily earn 15k EQMs in the rest of 2015, but not EQPs. It would be great to have Platinum status while earning these extra 20k EQMs.
Questions:
1. If I sign up for a Platinum Challenge before the 30K EQPs travel where I'm guaranteed to be granted Platinum that would only be good until early 2016, will the EQMs that I earn throughout 2015 still count as status qualifying miles toward 2016 status? In other words, if I win Platinum with the Status Challenge and then actually fly 50k MQMs in 2015, will I have Platinum status through early 2017?
2. (related to #1) Should I bother with a Platinum Challenge?
Thank you for reading and hope this wasn't too confusing.
Last edited by Oakshadow; Jan 30, 2015 at 1:58 pm
Jan 30, 2015, 2:46 pm
#667
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
My head is spinning trying to figure out the best course of action here.
In a nutshell: I will earn Gold with regular flying - approximately 30K EQMs and EQPs - by the end of March. The Gold status will be good until early 2017, but I'd like to be Platinum that would be good into early 2017.
Details:
I'm flying a great amount of international travel on both AA and BA in Business and Club respectively in February and March. Most of my itineraries earn 150% EQMs and EQPs which will put me at about 30k EQMs and EQPs. That puts me beyond the EQM and EQP Gold status threshold which would be good until early 2017.
I'm also planning a deep-discount itinerary in May that would likely earn about 5k EQMs and 2.5k EQPs. I can easily earn 15k EQMs in the rest of 2015, but not EQPs. It would be great to have Platinum status while earning these extra 20k EQMs.
Questions:
1. If I sign up for a Platinum Challenge before the 30K EQPs travel where I'm guaranteed to be granted Platinum that would only be good until early 2016, will the EQMs that I earn throughout 2015 still count as status qualifying miles toward 2016 status? In other words, if I win Platinum with the Status Challenge and then actually fly 50k MQMs in 2015, will I have Platinum status through early 2017?
2. (related to #1) Should I bother with a Platinum Challenge?
Thank you for reading and hope this wasn't too confusing.
In a nutshell: I will earn Gold with regular flying - approximately 30K EQMs and EQPs - by the end of March. The Gold status will be good until early 2017, but I'd like to be Platinum that would be good into early 2017.
Details:
I'm flying a great amount of international travel on both AA and BA in Business and Club respectively in February and March. Most of my itineraries earn 150% EQMs and EQPs which will put me at about 30k EQMs and EQPs. That puts me beyond the EQM and EQP Gold status threshold which would be good until early 2017.
I'm also planning a deep-discount itinerary in May that would likely earn about 5k EQMs and 2.5k EQPs. I can easily earn 15k EQMs in the rest of 2015, but not EQPs. It would be great to have Platinum status while earning these extra 20k EQMs.
Questions:
1. If I sign up for a Platinum Challenge before the 30K EQPs travel where I'm guaranteed to be granted Platinum that would only be good until early 2016, will the EQMs that I earn throughout 2015 still count as status qualifying miles toward 2016 status? In other words, if I win Platinum with the Status Challenge and then actually fly 50k MQMs in 2015, will I have Platinum status through early 2017?
2. (related to #1) Should I bother with a Platinum Challenge?
Thank you for reading and hope this wasn't too confusing.
2) only you can say if it is worth it - lounge access, double bonus miles, etc. might be worth the fee, or not.
Feb 2, 2015, 11:21 pm
#668
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 2
Gents, I have recently moved into a new job that means I will be doing a lot of international flying and am looking to make the most of it. I don't currently have any status anywhere so the platinum challenge looks like it might be a useful shortcut for me to use.
Couple of questions:
1. I am not currently a member of the AA miles program. Do I need to signup as a member before calling AA to book the platinum challenge?
2. I have flights booked with Iberia later this month. All tickets are IB coded and all but one is IB operated. For that flight (SCL-MAD) I am booked on an IB code but it is operated by LAN. Am I right that because I am booked on an IB codeshare these points will count towards the platinum challenge?
Couple of questions:
1. I am not currently a member of the AA miles program. Do I need to signup as a member before calling AA to book the platinum challenge?
2. I have flights booked with Iberia later this month. All tickets are IB coded and all but one is IB operated. For that flight (SCL-MAD) I am booked on an IB code but it is operated by LAN. Am I right that because I am booked on an IB codeshare these points will count towards the platinum challenge?
Feb 3, 2015, 4:02 am
#669
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CUR
Posts: 2,170
Gents, I have recently moved into a new job that means I will be doing a lot of international flying and am looking to make the most of it. I don't currently have any status anywhere so the platinum challenge looks like it might be a useful shortcut for me to use.
Couple of questions:
1. I am not currently a member of the AA miles program. Do I need to signup as a member before calling AA to book the platinum challenge?
2. I have flights booked with Iberia later this month. All tickets are IB coded and all but one is IB operated. For that flight (SCL-MAD) I am booked on an IB code but it is operated by LAN. Am I right that because I am booked on an IB codeshare these points will count towards the platinum challenge?
Couple of questions:
1. I am not currently a member of the AA miles program. Do I need to signup as a member before calling AA to book the platinum challenge?
2. I have flights booked with Iberia later this month. All tickets are IB coded and all but one is IB operated. For that flight (SCL-MAD) I am booked on an IB code but it is operated by LAN. Am I right that because I am booked on an IB codeshare these points will count towards the platinum challenge?
1. You can join AAdvantage on the phone and sign up for the challenge at the same time, but it's easier for you and the phone agent if you just sign up online in advance. It'll only take a minute.
2. You are correct, the IB coded flight operated by LAN is also valid for the challenge.
Feb 3, 2015, 4:42 am
#670
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 2
Cheers for the welcome and useful response Djokison. I hoped that might be the case! That's fantastic.
Feb 3, 2015, 5:44 pm
#671
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3
AAdvantage Elite Status Challenge - status expiry for Jun 2015 run?
Hi everyone,
I'm contemplating doing a AA Plat run in June this year (AU-based so should have little trouble reaching the 10K points), but I'm uncertain as to how long the status lasts.
The FlyerGuide states that challenges begun before June 16 earn status for the remainder of that year and the first two months of the following year, but other sources I've looked at say that it actually lasts longer.
Has anyone recently done one who can advise how long the status lasts? Being in Australia time difference makes it hard to get in touch with AA support, so any help would be great.
I'm contemplating doing a AA Plat run in June this year (AU-based so should have little trouble reaching the 10K points), but I'm uncertain as to how long the status lasts.
The FlyerGuide states that challenges begun before June 16 earn status for the remainder of that year and the first two months of the following year, but other sources I've looked at say that it actually lasts longer.
Has anyone recently done one who can advise how long the status lasts? Being in Australia time difference makes it hard to get in touch with AA support, so any help would be great.
Feb 3, 2015, 7:14 pm
#672
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 1,208
If I'm on an AA Status Match/Challenge, does CX count?
i need 25k points. does a CX flight that has an AA flight number count? i'm always confused if it's operator or marketing carrier that counts for these things.
Feb 3, 2015, 7:23 pm
#673
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: used to be PER, now it's nowhere/eveywhere
Programs: QFF NB, AA GLD
Posts: 3,467
Flyer Guide is correct
See the wiki in this thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...-platinum.html
Set your start date to June 16 or later and your status will last another year
See the wiki in this thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...-platinum.html
Set your start date to June 16 or later and your status will last another year
Feb 3, 2015, 7:37 pm
#674
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3
Is there any way to backdate the challenge to pick up those points from earlier flights? Or will I end up in the same position of only have elite status until Feb 2016?
Feb 3, 2015, 7:47 pm
#675
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
jetsetradio Congratulations on your first FT post (after 6 months)
My understanding you can start the challenge at any date. But 16 June is a key date for status the next year. They will not bend the rules for you.
More info here
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...-platinum.html
http://flyerguide.com/index.php/Challenge_%28AA%29
My understanding you can start the challenge at any date. But 16 June is a key date for status the next year. They will not bend the rules for you.
More info here
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...-platinum.html
http://flyerguide.com/index.php/Challenge_%28AA%29