AA Plat Challenge - need 10K
Jun 30, 2015, 10:59 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: American
Posts: 3
AA Plat Challenge - need 10K
Hi folks,
I've accepted an offer from AA for a Platinum challenge. My catch, need 12K miles by Oct 9. I managed a bit over 2K this past week with a trip I already had on the books but I still need around 10K miles by early October.
I'm new to the idea of milage runs, based near Austin. AUS or GRK are my best departing airports. Would vastly prefer to keep hops in spots where I can use my Admiral's Club on longer stops, though that's a luxury rather than requirement.
Thoughts on best strategies for a newcomer to the idea of milage runs?
I've accepted an offer from AA for a Platinum challenge. My catch, need 12K miles by Oct 9. I managed a bit over 2K this past week with a trip I already had on the books but I still need around 10K miles by early October.
I'm new to the idea of milage runs, based near Austin. AUS or GRK are my best departing airports. Would vastly prefer to keep hops in spots where I can use my Admiral's Club on longer stops, though that's a luxury rather than requirement.
Thoughts on best strategies for a newcomer to the idea of milage runs?
Jun 30, 2015, 12:10 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: DC
Programs: AA Plat, MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 116
Hi folks,
I've accepted an offer from AA for a Platinum challenge. My catch, need 12K miles by Oct 9. I managed a bit over 2K this past week with a trip I already had on the books but I still need around 10K miles by early October.
I'm new to the idea of milage runs, based near Austin. AUS or GRK are my best departing airports. Would vastly prefer to keep hops in spots where I can use my Admiral's Club on longer stops, though that's a luxury rather than requirement.
Thoughts on best strategies for a newcomer to the idea of milage runs?
I've accepted an offer from AA for a Platinum challenge. My catch, need 12K miles by Oct 9. I managed a bit over 2K this past week with a trip I already had on the books but I still need around 10K miles by early October.
I'm new to the idea of milage runs, based near Austin. AUS or GRK are my best departing airports. Would vastly prefer to keep hops in spots where I can use my Admiral's Club on longer stops, though that's a luxury rather than requirement.
Thoughts on best strategies for a newcomer to the idea of milage runs?
Jun 30, 2015, 12:18 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LA
Programs: AA, DL, UA
Posts: 543
Are you sure it's EQM's (elite qualifying miles) rather than EQP's (elite qualifying points) that you need? Usually status challenges on AA require that you obtain a set amount of EQP's rather than EQM's. If you're flying on discount coach tickets, this can be difficult to achieve as most discount fares only earn you 0.5 EQPs per mile flown. Also keep in mind that the current promotion for J/F fare EQP bumps (2.0 or 3.0 for certain J/F fares) does not apply towards qualification for a status challenge. Your best bet for a good place to start would probably be to look for a mileage run to JFK in F. That should net you ~4,500 EQP's (that are qualifying). Google flights is your friend when you're trying to MR. Good luck!
I believe that AA offers Platinum Challenges that are EQM only through targeted offers (they also waive the usual fee of like $240).
Definitely find out which one you need -- if EQP book according to this chart:
Jun 30, 2015, 9:18 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Kitchener, ON, Canada
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,266
If you need 10k POINTS, my advice is to get it done all at once. I saw some cheap flights to JNB on British Airways (in the $800 range?). Out of Austin that nets you 21070 miles, but more importantly, 10,535 points. Boom - in and out, one weekend, and you can enjoy a nice layover in London on the way.
Jul 1, 2015, 7:53 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: American
Posts: 3
It is indeed an AA Platinum Challenge (with fee waived)... the text from my original message states:
"Enjoy complimentary American Airlines AAdvantage® Platinum status on us through October 9, 2015.
You’ll experience all the benefits of Platinum status, plus we’ll give you twenty 500-mile upgrades just for signing up.
And, if you want to keep your status through February 28, 2017, simply earn 12,000 AAdvantage elite-qualifying miles or points on American, US Airways, and other select airlines* for travel between the date you register and October 9, 2015."
for what it's worth, just saw those 20 upgrades show up a day or so ago...
Advice?
"Enjoy complimentary American Airlines AAdvantage® Platinum status on us through October 9, 2015.
You’ll experience all the benefits of Platinum status, plus we’ll give you twenty 500-mile upgrades just for signing up.
And, if you want to keep your status through February 28, 2017, simply earn 12,000 AAdvantage elite-qualifying miles or points on American, US Airways, and other select airlines* for travel between the date you register and October 9, 2015."
for what it's worth, just saw those 20 upgrades show up a day or so ago...
Advice?
Jul 1, 2015, 8:13 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: DC
Programs: AA Plat, MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 116
It is indeed an AA Platinum Challenge (with fee waived)... the text from my original message states:
"Enjoy complimentary American Airlines AAdvantage® Platinum status on us through October 9, 2015.
You’ll experience all the benefits of Platinum status, plus we’ll give you twenty 500-mile upgrades just for signing up.
And, if you want to keep your status through February 28, 2017, simply earn 12,000 AAdvantage elite-qualifying miles or points on American, US Airways, and other select airlines* for travel between the date you register and October 9, 2015."
for what it's worth, just saw those 20 upgrades show up a day or so ago...
Advice?
"Enjoy complimentary American Airlines AAdvantage® Platinum status on us through October 9, 2015.
You’ll experience all the benefits of Platinum status, plus we’ll give you twenty 500-mile upgrades just for signing up.
And, if you want to keep your status through February 28, 2017, simply earn 12,000 AAdvantage elite-qualifying miles or points on American, US Airways, and other select airlines* for travel between the date you register and October 9, 2015."
for what it's worth, just saw those 20 upgrades show up a day or so ago...
Advice?
Jul 17, 2015, 2:30 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,510
It is indeed an AA Platinum Challenge (with fee waived)... the text from my original message states:
"Enjoy complimentary American Airlines AAdvantage® Platinum status on us through October 9, 2015.
You’ll experience all the benefits of Platinum status, plus we’ll give you twenty 500-mile upgrades just for signing up.
And, if you want to keep your status through February 28, 2017, simply earn 12,000 AAdvantage elite-qualifying miles or points on American, US Airways, and other select airlines* for travel between the date you register and October 9, 2015."
for what it's worth, just saw those 20 upgrades show up a day or so ago...
Advice?
"Enjoy complimentary American Airlines AAdvantage® Platinum status on us through October 9, 2015.
You’ll experience all the benefits of Platinum status, plus we’ll give you twenty 500-mile upgrades just for signing up.
And, if you want to keep your status through February 28, 2017, simply earn 12,000 AAdvantage elite-qualifying miles or points on American, US Airways, and other select airlines* for travel between the date you register and October 9, 2015."
for what it's worth, just saw those 20 upgrades show up a day or so ago...
Advice?
(Thinking about changing all my MR-fun trips to AA is I can earn their highest tier with a few flights to Africa or the Middle East for cheap!)
Jul 17, 2015, 10:15 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: EWR, NJ
Programs: UA 2 MM, UA 1K
Posts: 663
It is indeed an AA Platinum Challenge (with fee waived)... the text from my original message states:
"Enjoy complimentary American Airlines AAdvantage® Platinum status on us through October 9, 2015.
You’ll experience all the benefits of Platinum status, plus we’ll give you twenty 500-mile upgrades just for signing up.
And, if you want to keep your status through February 28, 2017, simply earn 12,000 AAdvantage elite-qualifying miles or points on American, US Airways, and other select airlines* for travel between the date you register and October 9, 2015."
for what it's worth, just saw those 20 upgrades show up a day or so ago...
Advice?
"Enjoy complimentary American Airlines AAdvantage® Platinum status on us through October 9, 2015.
You’ll experience all the benefits of Platinum status, plus we’ll give you twenty 500-mile upgrades just for signing up.
And, if you want to keep your status through February 28, 2017, simply earn 12,000 AAdvantage elite-qualifying miles or points on American, US Airways, and other select airlines* for travel between the date you register and October 9, 2015."
for what it's worth, just saw those 20 upgrades show up a day or so ago...
Advice?
Jul 17, 2015, 10:46 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TPA
Programs: AA PLT, HH Gold, FM Prem, SPG gold
Posts: 581
I also just signed up for this offer (was invited) the other day.
I received the 20 stickers within a week.
I had flown about 3k miles in 2015 before this offer.
I decided to knock it out on nearly one go and am headed to SCL (from TPA via MIA) this weekend and have one work trip planned in sept to cover the rest.
I received my first AA upgrade on the lengthy TPA>MIA flight!
was 800 AI booked one week out. Not a MR worthy fare, but I get to visit a new destination and with 0 days off left for the year, it was the most practical way. the 100% RDM bonus was the big motivation for me. ~30K OW miles booked beyond this trip.
I received the 20 stickers within a week.
I had flown about 3k miles in 2015 before this offer.
I decided to knock it out on nearly one go and am headed to SCL (from TPA via MIA) this weekend and have one work trip planned in sept to cover the rest.
I received my first AA upgrade on the lengthy TPA>MIA flight!
was 800 AI booked one week out. Not a MR worthy fare, but I get to visit a new destination and with 0 days off left for the year, it was the most practical way. the 100% RDM bonus was the big motivation for me. ~30K OW miles booked beyond this trip.
Jul 18, 2015, 7:24 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 275
My BF got the offer too. I had already flown on them twice this year so I guess they didn't want me! We were already flying on the NY-PAR BA $1700 business ticket in September so we just booked NY-Cabo for $350+ to get the rest of the miles. Using those 20 upgrades to request on the outbound. We never know where we'll be flying so it was worth it since we already had the bulk of the miles booked.
Jul 21, 2015, 10:34 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: AA-ex EXP, PLT, LTG, MVP-Gold, UA-Silver, SPG-LTG, PLT, HH-D, Hyatt-D,
Posts: 146
How did you receive the complimentary AA challenge (with fee waived) ? Did you ask for it or was it in your inbox as part of a targeted offer ? If so I do agree do one long haul flight and you are done with it.
I live in Austin and am thinking of applying and paying for the challenge and will probably use Austin or Dallas and do one long haul flight and make sure I get my 10k EQM .. need to make sure it is EQM not EQP.
Best of luck ..to both of us
Andrew F
I live in Austin and am thinking of applying and paying for the challenge and will probably use Austin or Dallas and do one long haul flight and make sure I get my 10k EQM .. need to make sure it is EQM not EQP.
Best of luck ..to both of us
Andrew F