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)
May 13, 2015, 8:27 am
#1036
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA Plat; CM Plat; AZ Gold;Hyatt Diamond; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; SPG Gold
Posts: 4
May 13, 2015, 10:10 am
#1037
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
If you earn 8K points under platinum challenge, you'll end up with no status at all. If in doubt, sign up for the gold challenge instead. You must complete the challenge you agreed to.
May 13, 2015, 12:40 pm
#1038
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: AA, Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 243
1) Do AA-marketed flights purchased on aa.com, but operated fully on CX count for the 10K EQP requirement? Anyone have any success with this, as the below blurb is somewhat vague of what counts as "eligible codeshare flights"?
2) Anyone have any recent success as a current Gold member getting approved for a Platinum challenge via the traditional method of calling Customer Service or through Founders Card? I thought I read 1 case on FT where this might have worked..?
---
Gold and Platinum challenges (there is usually no EXP challenge) can be flown to gain a "short cut" to status. To earn status you must register (and pay a fee $100-$140 for Gold, $200-240 for Platinum*) and fly to earn 5,000 or 10,000 elite-qualifying Points (not miles) in a three month period, using American Airlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection®, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas, US Airways and their eligible codeshare flights* and miles must be credited to AAdvantage. The four AA segment minimum required for regular status qualification does not apply to completing the challenge.
2) Anyone have any recent success as a current Gold member getting approved for a Platinum challenge via the traditional method of calling Customer Service or through Founders Card? I thought I read 1 case on FT where this might have worked..?
---
Gold and Platinum challenges (there is usually no EXP challenge) can be flown to gain a "short cut" to status. To earn status you must register (and pay a fee $100-$140 for Gold, $200-240 for Platinum*) and fly to earn 5,000 or 10,000 elite-qualifying Points (not miles) in a three month period, using American Airlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection®, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas, US Airways and their eligible codeshare flights* and miles must be credited to AAdvantage. The four AA segment minimum required for regular status qualification does not apply to completing the challenge.
May 13, 2015, 12:52 pm
#1039
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
AA marketed flights generally are treated as prime AA flights by AA.
"Their eligible codeshare flights" means, for instance, an Iberia flight flown by another oneworld airline - an IB marketed flight operated by SN would not count (or earn AA miles).
"Their eligible codeshare flights" means, for instance, an Iberia flight flown by another oneworld airline - an IB marketed flight operated by SN would not count (or earn AA miles).
May 14, 2015, 12:13 am
#1040
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: BKK/SEL/YQG
Posts: 2,543
I have a KUL-LHR-YYZ route all on AA code in August. I guess I'm going to be Plat after! How early should I call to set up the challenge?
May 14, 2015, 7:41 am
#1042
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
May 14, 2015, 11:39 pm
#1043
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: HKG
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, National Ex Elite
Posts: 43
1) Do AA-marketed flights purchased on aa.com, but operated fully on CX count for the 10K EQP requirement? Anyone have any success with this, as the below blurb is somewhat vague of what counts as "eligible codeshare flights"?
2) Anyone have any recent success as a current Gold member getting approved for a Platinum challenge via the traditional method of calling Customer Service or through Founders Card? I thought I read 1 case on FT where this might have worked..?
---
Gold and Platinum challenges (there is usually no EXP challenge) can be flown to gain a "short cut" to status. To earn status you must register (and pay a fee $100-$140 for Gold, $200-240 for Platinum*) and fly to earn 5,000 or 10,000 elite-qualifying Points (not miles) in a three month period, using American Airlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection®, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas, US Airways and their eligible codeshare flights* and miles must be credited to AAdvantage. The four AA segment minimum required for regular status qualification does not apply to completing the challenge.
2) Anyone have any recent success as a current Gold member getting approved for a Platinum challenge via the traditional method of calling Customer Service or through Founders Card? I thought I read 1 case on FT where this might have worked..?
---
Gold and Platinum challenges (there is usually no EXP challenge) can be flown to gain a "short cut" to status. To earn status you must register (and pay a fee $100-$140 for Gold, $200-240 for Platinum*) and fly to earn 5,000 or 10,000 elite-qualifying Points (not miles) in a three month period, using American Airlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection®, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas, US Airways and their eligible codeshare flights* and miles must be credited to AAdvantage. The four AA segment minimum required for regular status qualification does not apply to completing the challenge.
May 15, 2015, 8:08 pm
#1045
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Platinum/OW Sapphire, Delta Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 89
Retroactive flights?
I've been busy with work this week and totally forgot to call AA to sign up. Ugh. I fly tomorrow (5/16) but the AAdvantage desk is closed until Monday at this point. Can I call when they open and have my outbound count towards the challenge? I'm so annoyed at myself for forgetting!
May 15, 2015, 8:38 pm
#1046
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: BDL,CLT,LIM
Programs: AA,BA
Posts: 345
I've been busy with work this week and totally forgot to call AA to sign up. Ugh. I fly tomorrow (5/16) but the AAdvantage desk is closed until Monday at this point. Can I call when they open and have my outbound count towards the challenge? I'm so annoyed at myself for forgetting!
May 16, 2015, 6:42 pm
#1047
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 47
Searched this thread to no avail, but is it possible to status match challenge from a Oneworld airline to AA? I have Marco Polo gold status but would like to switch to AA because it has a better earn/burn ratio. I'm wondering if they'll refuse this because CX is a partner carrier, and I'm wondering if anyone else has done so before?
May 16, 2015, 7:55 pm
#1048
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
Searched this thread to no avail, but is it possible to status match challenge from a Oneworld airline to AA? I have Marco Polo gold status but would like to switch to AA because it has a better earn/burn ratio. I'm wondering if they'll refuse this because CX is a partner carrier, and I'm wondering if anyone else has done so before?
Caveats: To maintain status on AA you must fly four AA marketed segments annually. If you fly Asia to Asia in anything below H fares, you'll earn no AAdvantage points or miles toward status, or at all.
May 16, 2015, 10:20 pm
#1049
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: status free since 2017
Posts: 2,188
May 16, 2015, 10:29 pm
#1050
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Dropped down to AA Gold from EXP this year due to reduced travel. However have a couple paid J transcons coming up and with the 2.0 EQP promo on paid J reaching 10k is easy. If I am eligible to take the Plat challenge despite currently being Gold (haven't flown AA at all yet this year however) I'd happily spend the small premium over DL J to grab Platinum through the end of 2016.
However if it's unlikely to be granted I'll just go ahead and book DL (or UA which has an RDU - SFO direct at the same price point) before prices go up.
Is this a scenario where I should expect that if I call on June 16th they'll grant me the challenge or should I just not even bother and go the DL (with AS credit) or UA (with SQ credit) routes
However if it's unlikely to be granted I'll just go ahead and book DL (or UA which has an RDU - SFO direct at the same price point) before prices go up.
Is this a scenario where I should expect that if I call on June 16th they'll grant me the challenge or should I just not even bother and go the DL (with AS credit) or UA (with SQ credit) routes