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 30, 2014, 7:40 am
#62
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: IND, ORD
Programs: AA Platinum, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 134
Sounds like that worked out pretty well for you.
Jan 30, 2014, 8:15 am
#63
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 2
I have two long trips planned in March and April. Can someone check my math for me to see if i will have enough to qualify for Platinum?
Trip 1
All booked in "O"
XNA-DFW - 280 miles - 140 EQP
DFW-MAD - 4965 miles - 2482 EQP
MAD-ORD - 4201 miles - 2100 EQP
ORD-XNA - 522 miles - 261 EQP
Totals - 9968 miles - 4983 EQP
Trip 2
XNA-LAX - 1371 miles - 685 EQP - Booking Code "G"
LAX-HNL - 2556 miles - 1278 EQP - Booking Code "G"
HNL-KOA - 163 miles - 163 EQP - Booking Code "V"
KOA-LAX - 2504 miles - 2504 EQP - Booking Code "V"
LAX-ELP - 714 miles - 357 EQP - Booking Code "S"
ELP-DFW - 551 miles - 275 EQP - Booking Code "G"
DFW-XNA - 280 miles - 140 EQP - Booking Code "G"
Totals - 8139 miles - 5402 EQP
Grand Totals - 18107 miles - 10385 EQP
My understanding is that for $240 I can sign up for the Platinum status starting March 1st and should be able to achieve it with these two trips (assuming my math is correct).
Can someone correct me if I am wrong.
Thanks
Trip 1
All booked in "O"
XNA-DFW - 280 miles - 140 EQP
DFW-MAD - 4965 miles - 2482 EQP
MAD-ORD - 4201 miles - 2100 EQP
ORD-XNA - 522 miles - 261 EQP
Totals - 9968 miles - 4983 EQP
Trip 2
XNA-LAX - 1371 miles - 685 EQP - Booking Code "G"
LAX-HNL - 2556 miles - 1278 EQP - Booking Code "G"
HNL-KOA - 163 miles - 163 EQP - Booking Code "V"
KOA-LAX - 2504 miles - 2504 EQP - Booking Code "V"
LAX-ELP - 714 miles - 357 EQP - Booking Code "S"
ELP-DFW - 551 miles - 275 EQP - Booking Code "G"
DFW-XNA - 280 miles - 140 EQP - Booking Code "G"
Totals - 8139 miles - 5402 EQP
Grand Totals - 18107 miles - 10385 EQP
My understanding is that for $240 I can sign up for the Platinum status starting March 1st and should be able to achieve it with these two trips (assuming my math is correct).
Can someone correct me if I am wrong.
Thanks
Jan 30, 2014, 5:42 pm
#64
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP; BoNVoY Tit LTP
Posts: 1,923
Assuming your miles and addition is right, it seems good. One note: if you can get instant gold when you call then you get the 500 mile (250 EQP) minimum that would help on some of your segments.
Jan 30, 2014, 6:35 pm
#65
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA ex-Plat
Posts: 425
My Solution for Fast Track to Status, just flew last week:
PLT Challenge is $200 (10K EQP). BA Premium Econ earns 1.5 EQP.
I earned PLT In ONE WAY LAX-LHR-DXB. Was PLT on the way home (100% bonus miles) and secured GOLD for Next year with EQP. BA Lounge access on the return trip as OneWorld Sapphire was nice too, free 15yr Glenlivet in the lounge, shower, food, etc. Make sure the lounge clerk knows to look for AA Platinum, not "AAdvantage"
Flight Cost? $1629 total and only need another 1124 miles flown for some 500-mile upgrades to be awarded.
I got 15,000 bonus miles for the LAX-LHR-LAX legs as part of the USF13 promo ending Jan 31st.
Total: 26,628 EQP Earned, 17,752 EQM. With 42,516 redeemable miles via the flight, 10% class of service Premium Eco bonus, PLT bonus and USF13 promo.
Cost: $1,629 + $200 Challenge Fee (Which AMEX PLT has said they will manually refund as fee credit due to loss of AAdmirals club access)
Without challenge fee: 3.83CPM total. (and an interesting week in Dubai visiting friends)
Many thanks to flyer talk for the help learning all of this, you folks are awesome help.
PLT Challenge is $200 (10K EQP). BA Premium Econ earns 1.5 EQP.
I earned PLT In ONE WAY LAX-LHR-DXB. Was PLT on the way home (100% bonus miles) and secured GOLD for Next year with EQP. BA Lounge access on the return trip as OneWorld Sapphire was nice too, free 15yr Glenlivet in the lounge, shower, food, etc. Make sure the lounge clerk knows to look for AA Platinum, not "AAdvantage"
Flight Cost? $1629 total and only need another 1124 miles flown for some 500-mile upgrades to be awarded.
I got 15,000 bonus miles for the LAX-LHR-LAX legs as part of the USF13 promo ending Jan 31st.
Total: 26,628 EQP Earned, 17,752 EQM. With 42,516 redeemable miles via the flight, 10% class of service Premium Eco bonus, PLT bonus and USF13 promo.
Cost: $1,629 + $200 Challenge Fee (Which AMEX PLT has said they will manually refund as fee credit due to loss of AAdmirals club access)
Without challenge fee: 3.83CPM total. (and an interesting week in Dubai visiting friends)
Many thanks to flyer talk for the help learning all of this, you folks are awesome help.
I was under the impression, however, that you received the 100% PLT bonus on the flight that took you over 10kEQP, though, i.e. you should have gotten the 100% bonus on LHR-DXB (segment 2). From the totals you posted, it looks like they gave you the bonus starting with segment 3, not segment 2.
Also, even working from getting the bonus starting with segment 3, it looks like that you were not credited the 10% class of service bonus of 888 miles (everyone is entitled to this, not just elites) on 1/2 of the trip.
Working from LAX-LHR-DXB-LHR-LAX in W class, I would calculate the following trip totals for you, crossing PLT on segment 2 (not 3):
BIS = 17,752
EQM = 17,752
EQP = 26,628
COS = 1,776
PLT = 12,296
USF13 = 15,000
RDM = 46,824
AA account would show (in aggregate) the following (since it just lists a "miles" column and a "bonus" column):
miles = 17,752
bonus = 29,072
Were there any segments on this trip where you were not in premium economy, but regular economy? Just want to make sure you got credited the right amount if you were in premium economy the whole way there and back.
Jan 30, 2014, 6:50 pm
#66
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA ex-Plat
Posts: 425
I have two long trips planned in March and April. Can someone check my math for me to see if i will have enough to qualify for Platinum?
Trip 1
All booked in "O"
XNA-DFW - 280 miles - 140 EQP
DFW-MAD - 4965 miles - 2482 EQP
MAD-ORD - 4201 miles - 2100 EQP
ORD-XNA - 522 miles - 261 EQP
Totals - 9968 miles - 4983 EQP
Trip 2
XNA-LAX - 1371 miles - 685 EQP - Booking Code "G"
LAX-HNL - 2556 miles - 1278 EQP - Booking Code "G"
HNL-KOA - 163 miles - 163 EQP - Booking Code "V"
KOA-LAX - 2504 miles - 2504 EQP - Booking Code "V"
LAX-ELP - 714 miles - 357 EQP - Booking Code "S"
ELP-DFW - 551 miles - 275 EQP - Booking Code "G"
DFW-XNA - 280 miles - 140 EQP - Booking Code "G"
Totals - 8139 miles - 5402 EQP
Grand Totals - 18107 miles - 10385 EQP
My understanding is that for $240 I can sign up for the Platinum status starting March 1st and should be able to achieve it with these two trips (assuming my math is correct).
Can someone correct me if I am wrong.
Thanks
Trip 1
All booked in "O"
XNA-DFW - 280 miles - 140 EQP
DFW-MAD - 4965 miles - 2482 EQP
MAD-ORD - 4201 miles - 2100 EQP
ORD-XNA - 522 miles - 261 EQP
Totals - 9968 miles - 4983 EQP
Trip 2
XNA-LAX - 1371 miles - 685 EQP - Booking Code "G"
LAX-HNL - 2556 miles - 1278 EQP - Booking Code "G"
HNL-KOA - 163 miles - 163 EQP - Booking Code "V"
KOA-LAX - 2504 miles - 2504 EQP - Booking Code "V"
LAX-ELP - 714 miles - 357 EQP - Booking Code "S"
ELP-DFW - 551 miles - 275 EQP - Booking Code "G"
DFW-XNA - 280 miles - 140 EQP - Booking Code "G"
Totals - 8139 miles - 5402 EQP
Grand Totals - 18107 miles - 10385 EQP
My understanding is that for $240 I can sign up for the Platinum status starting March 1st and should be able to achieve it with these two trips (assuming my math is correct).
Can someone correct me if I am wrong.
Thanks
If my calculation is correct, you would achieve PLT on ELP-DFW, and then get the 100% PLT bonus on that flight and the subsequent DFW-XNA flight.
[I'm originally from LIT, btw, now living in NYC. If you're from XNA, nice to see a fellow Arkie here!]
Jan 30, 2014, 7:03 pm
#67
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 2
Miles look correct, but I get 10,387 EQP
If my calculation is correct, you would achieve PLT on ELP-DFW, and then get the 100% PLT bonus on that flight and the subsequent DFW-XNA flight.
[I'm originally from LIT, btw, now living in NYC. If you're from XNA, nice to see a fellow Arkie here!]
If my calculation is correct, you would achieve PLT on ELP-DFW, and then get the 100% PLT bonus on that flight and the subsequent DFW-XNA flight.
[I'm originally from LIT, btw, now living in NYC. If you're from XNA, nice to see a fellow Arkie here!]
Jan 30, 2014, 7:18 pm
#68
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA ex-Plat
Posts: 425
It may not still be the policy, but when I did a PLT challenge in 2010, you earned the PLT bonus on the flight that put you over, and obviously any subsequent flights.
Maybe someone else here could confirm this is still the case, or that there was a change in policy.
Jan 30, 2014, 8:05 pm
#69
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 40
So I am trying to understand thee basics of this challenge & whether it will benefit me.
I have an upcoming trip where I will earn apprx 11k EQP which would grant me the Platinum status.
Platinum status = One World Sapphire. Benefits include:
Priority Business Class check-in
Preferred boarding
Preferred seating (where offered)
Priority standby and waitlisting
Access to Business Class and frequent flyer lounges (with one guest) when travelling internationally*, regardless of the class of service flown that day
The biggest draw is the lounge access. I plan on doigna lttle travel around Australia, partner airlines would be Qantas. But in the fine print, it states the following:
Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold members, regardless of their oneworld tier status, cannot access Qantas Domestic Business Lounges
Should I be a One World Sapphire member (currently only Qantas Bronze) would I be able to access Qantas lounges in Australia?
I have an upcoming trip where I will earn apprx 11k EQP which would grant me the Platinum status.
Platinum status = One World Sapphire. Benefits include:
Priority Business Class check-in
Preferred boarding
Preferred seating (where offered)
Priority standby and waitlisting
Access to Business Class and frequent flyer lounges (with one guest) when travelling internationally*, regardless of the class of service flown that day
The biggest draw is the lounge access. I plan on doigna lttle travel around Australia, partner airlines would be Qantas. But in the fine print, it states the following:
Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold members, regardless of their oneworld tier status, cannot access Qantas Domestic Business Lounges
Should I be a One World Sapphire member (currently only Qantas Bronze) would I be able to access Qantas lounges in Australia?
Jan 31, 2014, 1:07 am
#70
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,342
So I am trying to understand thee basics of this challenge & whether it will benefit me.
I have an upcoming trip where I will earn apprx 11k EQP which would grant me the Platinum status.
Platinum status = One World Sapphire. Benefits include:
Priority Business Class check-in
Preferred boarding
Preferred seating (where offered)
Priority standby and waitlisting
Access to Business Class and frequent flyer lounges (with one guest) when travelling internationally*, regardless of the class of service flown that day
The biggest draw is the lounge access. I plan on doigna lttle travel around Australia, partner airlines would be Qantas. But in the fine print, it states the following:
Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold members, regardless of their oneworld tier status, cannot access Qantas Domestic Business Lounges
Should I be a One World Sapphire member (currently only Qantas Bronze) would I be able to access Qantas lounges in Australia?
I have an upcoming trip where I will earn apprx 11k EQP which would grant me the Platinum status.
Platinum status = One World Sapphire. Benefits include:
Priority Business Class check-in
Preferred boarding
Preferred seating (where offered)
Priority standby and waitlisting
Access to Business Class and frequent flyer lounges (with one guest) when travelling internationally*, regardless of the class of service flown that day
The biggest draw is the lounge access. I plan on doigna lttle travel around Australia, partner airlines would be Qantas. But in the fine print, it states the following:
Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold members, regardless of their oneworld tier status, cannot access Qantas Domestic Business Lounges
Should I be a One World Sapphire member (currently only Qantas Bronze) would I be able to access Qantas lounges in Australia?
As an AA PLT, you will be fine, just as a non-AA OWS member will have Admirals Club access regardless of itinerary when flying on OW airlines.
Jan 31, 2014, 1:33 pm
#71
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: AA EXPLT, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), HHonors Gold, AMEX PLT, UA Silver, National EXC
Posts: 1,059
Very nice & Congratulations!
I was under the impression, however, that you received the 100% PLT bonus on the flight that took you over 10kEQP, though, i.e. you should have gotten the 100% bonus on LHR-DXB (segment 2). From the totals you posted, it looks like they gave you the bonus starting with segment 3, not segment 2.
Also, even working from getting the bonus starting with segment 3, it looks like that you were not credited the 10% class of service bonus of 888 miles (everyone is entitled to this, not just elites) on 1/2 of the trip.
Working from LAX-LHR-DXB-LHR-LAX in W class, I would calculate the following trip totals for you, crossing PLT on segment 2 (not 3):
BIS = 17,752
EQM = 17,752
EQP = 26,628
COS = 1,776
PLT = 12,296
USF13 = 15,000
RDM = 46,824
AA account would show (in aggregate) the following (since it just lists a "miles" column and a "bonus" column):
miles = 17,752
bonus = 29,072
Were there any segments on this trip where you were not in premium economy, but regular economy? Just want to make sure you got credited the right amount if you were in premium economy the whole way there and back.
I was under the impression, however, that you received the 100% PLT bonus on the flight that took you over 10kEQP, though, i.e. you should have gotten the 100% bonus on LHR-DXB (segment 2). From the totals you posted, it looks like they gave you the bonus starting with segment 3, not segment 2.
Also, even working from getting the bonus starting with segment 3, it looks like that you were not credited the 10% class of service bonus of 888 miles (everyone is entitled to this, not just elites) on 1/2 of the trip.
Working from LAX-LHR-DXB-LHR-LAX in W class, I would calculate the following trip totals for you, crossing PLT on segment 2 (not 3):
BIS = 17,752
EQM = 17,752
EQP = 26,628
COS = 1,776
PLT = 12,296
USF13 = 15,000
RDM = 46,824
AA account would show (in aggregate) the following (since it just lists a "miles" column and a "bonus" column):
miles = 17,752
bonus = 29,072
Were there any segments on this trip where you were not in premium economy, but regular economy? Just want to make sure you got credited the right amount if you were in premium economy the whole way there and back.
And yes, there is 888 missing from the line by line view of my account.. but my balance shows at the top of the screen as available award mileage: 210,635 vs. 209,747 as ending balance. Some sort of glitch?
Feb 2, 2014, 10:57 am
#72
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 32
looking for some insight here. i will do a plat status challenge in june '14. once i am plat then i am curious as to how my award points will work. if i fly enough for gold status in 2015 for instance then would that status be applied in feb 2016 when my plat expires?? or do i simply end up at gold anyway because loss of status results in a one tier downgrade regardless of points earned. I guess what i am getting at is that once i have plat i want to extend it as much as possible. i may not be able to fly enough to sustain it though so wondering what then?? thx
Feb 2, 2014, 1:29 pm
#73
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SFO/OAK
Programs: AA EXP 3.4MM, BAEC, UAMP, Skyteam (<10k) HH Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz Gold, GE/TSA TT
Posts: 2,723
looking for some insight here. i will do a plat status challenge in june '14. once i am plat then i am curious as to how my award points will work. if i fly enough for gold status in 2015 for instance then would that status be applied in feb 2016 when my plat expires?? or do i simply end up at gold anyway because loss of status results in a one tier downgrade regardless of points earned. I guess what i am getting at is that once i have plat i want to extend it as much as possible. i may not be able to fly enough to sustain it though so wondering what then?? thx
When I first gained PLT status in 2006 by challenge (it used to be zero cost to do so) I started in March, but I knew I would travel >50K miles that year and be able to retain PLT for another year.
Feb 3, 2014, 11:44 am
#74
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SNA
Posts: 410
Is there any way to get an itemized accounting of point earning? My "YTD Elite Qualifying Points" number is higher than I calculated it should be based on the miles I've flown and the booking codes I had. It's over 80% of the EQM number shown, even though I thought every flight I've had this year was 0.5EQP. The EQM number exactly matches my own calculations. I'm not exactly complaining, but I'm wondering where the discrepancy is coming from, and I don't see this itemized on the website.
Feb 3, 2014, 12:53 pm
#75
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SNA
Posts: 410
Sorry to reply to myself, but I was just thinking, would this have happened when I was rebooked due to a delayed flight/missed connection? Looking at my boarding pass for that flight it says "Y" under "Class." Would that cause me to earn full EQP for that flight (and will it stick, or is it a temporary glitch)?