No More AA Platinum Challenge
 

It looks like the Gold and Platinum challenges for AAdvantage miles have been drastically curtailed.

I've currently got no status with AA, but am going to be flying about 12,000 miles in the next 6 weeks. So of couse I called and asked for the Platinum challenge..... and I was asked if I had received a letter with a promotional code.

When I didn't have a promotional code to provide, I was told that these challenges are now invitaton-only. I tried to protest, but the AA rep was pretty rude and direct in telling me to get lost, and that was the end of that.

This conversation was the morning of 5/4/06.

That is very very scary....1st rule of flyertalk, call call again - and see if you get a different response

I just called to try to set up a platinum challenge for my husband & myself beginning Sept 1 & was told that it's too early to enroll in a September challenge. But according to agent with whom I spoke, they're currently enrolling people as far out as June 16th. He didn't say anything about needing a promotional code. So, try again & you'll probably be successful. There are those who suggest calling in the middle of the night for best results. Good luck.

This should be in the AA forum, but the promo code is supposedly AA400. See this thread: Mysterious Promo codes: AA100/AA200/AA400

Would be good to know whether having the code would've helped in this situation...

I'm in the middle of a Plat challenge (that it turns out I won't be able to finish), but I just started it recently with no problems, so if this is true, it's VERY new.

I just signed up for the Gold Challenge on 5/1 with no problems. I also asked if I could take the Plat Challenge after I completed the Gold and was told that I could. I wasn't asked for any codes.

I also signed up on 5/1 for a Platinum challenge. Received my confirmatory
e-mail also on 5/1.

From two different CSRs and their supervisors: AA300 and AA400 are right codes for Gold and Plat challenges, but they do not work when the customers enter them on aa.com.

edit: you will get an email from entering any these codes, but no joy unless you are targeted (in the case of AA100 and AA200) or enrolled by a CSR (in the acse of AA300 and AA400), according to the CSRs. However, based on the acknowledgment email, you do have a case that is winnable in a phone call(s) with AAdvantage CS (not reservations CS, AAdvantage CS).

Are those codes targetted?

Just to be clear: I didn't say they would work on AA.com. I think they might have on the phone with the CSR who asked for a code though.

Apologies, no offense intended. Clarity is good

You make an interesting point: displaying a bit of inside knowledge might get a recalcitrant CSR off the dime. Though I'd keep mum if the CSR already is cooperating.

Probably best you were turned down as you would have been very disappointed after flying 12,000 miles to find out you didn't qualify.

I believe the flood gates were opened by someone on slickdeals

I send an e-mail through the AA website inquiring about the Gold challenge and received an e-mail back within 24 hours informing me in detail about the challenges and their start dates. I replyed and was signed up as of 5/1. No problem at all.

Are you sure you called American Airlines and not that other AA? ;) Because if I had to give this post a call sign, it would begin with "Bravo Uniform Lima Lima."

One other little bit of dissuasion to a CSA to tell you to s°d off is the prefactory statement "This call may be recorded for quality control purposes." It's possible, but...