Easy paths to entry level status?
 

Hi all,

Here is my situation. I fly AA exclusively, but not quite enough to secure Gold status without a little extra help. I am trying to find a relatively easy "back door" that doesn't involve much flying. The key is that my company has a relationship with AA that allows for easy status matching. AA will match any other status without any hassle.

My first thought was to transfer AMEX points to Delta via the 25K MQM + 50% bonus deal. Easy! However, I made a transfer to Delta from Amex about 2 years ago and that deal is supposedly only valid for first time transfers. (not sure if anyone has been able to get the 25K MQM as a non-first-timer)

Are there any other comparable deals out there?

Many thanks,

CB

Have you checked into AA's challenge programs?

Head over to the AA section and it is described on a sticky there....

how about continental's challenge, easy way to get quick status, and no co-pay (which you'd get with AA).

Also if you do continental's status challenge now, you probably will be able to do UA's challenge after co ceases to exist. (thus circumventing the one challenge per lifetime rule)

The Delta deal is your best bet. Its not for first time transfer- its only for people who didn't take advantage of the last round of 25k MQMs. If it lets you register, you'll be fine.

Are you sure about that? The Delta offer says: "Offer good for first-time only transfers now through May 31, 2011."

Yes I'm positive. If it lets you register, you will be fine. I took advantage of the 25k MQM promo last fall and I was not allowed to register for this promo. I
Several friends transferred points to Delta but not via the last 25k MQM promo and they were accepted and transferred without an issue.

Promo T&C are almost always incorrect/wrong/confusing

Besides the challenge, you could do a Business Extras award, 2400 points, for AA Gold status.

You could get someone to gift you Gold Medallion status. Using coupon connection would be a great place to look, though you don't yet have enough posts to qualify for access to that forum.

Thanks, guys! You were right - I took the leap and transfered my MR points to Delta and am now a SM with 75K more miles! Now onto the AA match :)

Mooper: you are right - I need to get my post count up. But, hey, I am an "Original Member" so clearly not someone who signed up for FT just for the Coupon Connection ;) (truth is, I've been coming here for years and never noticed the CC until you mentioned it!)

There is no AA match. AA does Challenge instead of match.

Now, keep in mind, unless it's changed since a couple years ago, AA Challenges that start by the beginning of June give you status only for the current year, while Challenges that start after June 15 give you status for that year and the following year. The same may or may not apply for matches at other airlines, I don't know. So I suggest you read up on matches and challenges and make sure iyou know the implications of timing.

This is correct in general, however OP mentions that his company has a relationship with AA that allows easy status matching.