ARCHIVE: AAdvantage Gold & Platinum Elite Status Challenges 2004 - 2011
Jan 4, 2007 | 5:16 pm
#841
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 351
Platinum challenge now only on actual American flights
I just called to sign up for the Platinum Challenge.
I was told that only points earned on flights operated by American will count towards the challenge.
I was told that this is a new policy effective January 1.
I called back to confirm and was told that if you are ticketed through American the points MAY count, even if the flight is operated by another AAdvantage carrier. (Sorry, but the rep. wasn't too clear on the change.)
Bottom line: Be careful if you're counting on points earned through flights on other AAdvantage carriers.
I was told that only points earned on flights operated by American will count towards the challenge.
I was told that this is a new policy effective January 1.
I called back to confirm and was told that if you are ticketed through American the points MAY count, even if the flight is operated by another AAdvantage carrier. (Sorry, but the rep. wasn't too clear on the change.)
Bottom line: Be careful if you're counting on points earned through flights on other AAdvantage carriers.
Last edited by JDiver; May 9, 2007 at 3:49 pm Reason: further clarification
Jan 4, 2007 | 5:32 pm
#842
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 34,027
I just called to sign up for the Platinum Challenge.
I was told that only points earned on flights operated by American will count towards the challenge. In other words, points on other AAdvantage carriers DO NOT COUNT.
I was told that this is a new policy effective January 1.
I was told that only points earned on flights operated by American will count towards the challenge. In other words, points on other AAdvantage carriers DO NOT COUNT.
I was told that this is a new policy effective January 1.
Cheers.
Jan 10, 2007 | 11:13 pm
#843
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: AKL via LPL, LHR, MAN and origainally CFN
Programs: BD DC, BA EC, AAdvantage, Hhonors and now NZ Aipoints
Posts: 768
* If your challenge begins in the second half of the year, even we
understand it might be difficult to meet the full qualification criteria
by yearend, so the new credentials you will receive for meeting the goal
will actually carry you through to the end of the next membership year.
For example, if your challenge begins October 16, 2006 then the status
you will earn when you meet the goal will be valid through February 29,
2008.
What should have happened to the qpoints and qmiles I received in the time after becoming Plat till the end of the year?
I had presumed, these would be carried forward to this year like the status, to help with qualification for next years status, but this is not the case - they have been reset to 0. (roughly 10k qpoints, which would help a lot as I have done another 10k since the 1st of Jan)
This was purely a presumption on my part however, and I want to check if I am wrong before asking AAdvantage.
Thanks in advance.
P
Jan 10, 2007 | 11:18 pm
#844
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 34,027
I have a quick question on this - I took the challenge and got it in the second half of the year.
What should have happened to the qpoints and qmiles I received in the time after becoming Plat till the end of the year?
I had presumed, these would be carried forward to this year like the status, to help with qualification for next years status, but this is not the case - they have been reset to 0. (roughly 10k qpoints, which would help a lot as I have done another 10k since the 1st of Jan)
This was purely a presumption on my part however, and I want to check if I am wrong before asking AAdvantage.
Thanks in advance.
P
What should have happened to the qpoints and qmiles I received in the time after becoming Plat till the end of the year?
I had presumed, these would be carried forward to this year like the status, to help with qualification for next years status, but this is not the case - they have been reset to 0. (roughly 10k qpoints, which would help a lot as I have done another 10k since the 1st of Jan)
This was purely a presumption on my part however, and I want to check if I am wrong before asking AAdvantage.
Thanks in advance.
P
So, you will need to earn the miles/points all over again this year to maintain/improve status.
Final answer: Don't call them because things have been handled properly.
Cheers.
Jan 11, 2007 | 4:24 pm
#845
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, Breezy 2
Posts: 12,608
Stupid question time - I searched and I know the answer is someplace, but I can't find it....
I'm a lifetime Gold (1MM) who had switched to UA for 2005-2006 due to travel patterns. If the summer comes around and my travel patterns switch again and I have 0 EQM/EQP/EQS for the year, is the Platinum challenge 10k EQP (e.g. 20 segments) or just 5k (10 segments) because I'm already gold?
I'm a lifetime Gold (1MM) who had switched to UA for 2005-2006 due to travel patterns. If the summer comes around and my travel patterns switch again and I have 0 EQM/EQP/EQS for the year, is the Platinum challenge 10k EQP (e.g. 20 segments) or just 5k (10 segments) because I'm already gold?
Jan 11, 2007 | 4:27 pm
#846
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Reno, Nevada
Posts: 7,368
Stupid question time - I searched and I know the answer is someplace, but I can't find it....
I'm a lifetime Gold (1MM) who had switched to UA for 2005-2006 due to travel patterns. If the summer comes around and my travel patterns switch again and I have 0 EQM/EQP/EQS for the year, is the Platinum challenge 10k EQP (e.g. 20 segments) or just 5k (10 segments) because I'm already gold?
I'm a lifetime Gold (1MM) who had switched to UA for 2005-2006 due to travel patterns. If the summer comes around and my travel patterns switch again and I have 0 EQM/EQP/EQS for the year, is the Platinum challenge 10k EQP (e.g. 20 segments) or just 5k (10 segments) because I'm already gold?
Mike
Jan 17, 2007 | 7:24 pm
#847
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 5,658
Thank you for info. May I please ask: if you signed up for Gold, strategically when is the best time to try--if they let you- to sign up for Plat Challenge? After you met the Gold and just before you are ready to the second 5,000 EPoints? The assumption is that the person on ther Gold Challenge flies domestic to get the first 5,000 EPoints( not a large multi thousand international flight)
Substituted message:
OK, some changes - added October 2006:
FIRST, concurrent Challenges are being disallowed often by American these days. If you sign up for Gold first and try for Platinum later or vice versa, you may be shot out of the skies. As of mid-2006, reports indicate AA is becoming more restrictive on Challenges and seeing them more as a once in a litetime possibility. (Your attempt to regain a lost Challenge-gained status via another, susbequent Challenge will most likely result in failure.)
STATUS GAINED will depend on when you begin your Challenge: Begin June 1 or before, your status will last the remainder of the current calendar year and expire at the proximate end of status year - JUne 1 2006, ends Feb 28, 2007.
Begin your Challenge June 16 or later, your status will remain in force the remainder of the calendar year and the next status year - June 16, 2006 or later, your status will remain current through Feb 29, 2008.
REMEMBER all Challenges are based on POINTS, not miles, earned in a three month period. Points are earned in accordance with this chart on aa.com, and not on any older charts or mentions you may find here or elsewhere. (If flying another oneworld airline, be sure to check their AA Partner page on aa.com; some partner airline fares can earn as few points as 15% of the actual miles flown.)
And on American Airlines, pay special attention to the footnote on the linked page, which says: "** Tickets between North America and Europe, India, Asia and Latin America booked in O and Transatlantic tickets booked in Q are not eligible."
================================================== =============
ORIGINAL POST
:-: fewmiles :-: ,
Trying to keep up with all the changes and codify them on a website is virtually a Sisyphusean task! Thanks for all your work over the years - they have certainly given this FTer valuable information I've used to my, er, AAdvantage. ^ ^ ^
P. S. The new fares table is awesome! (Though in 2006, there have been some changes I don't think are reflected. Caveat volaticus homo.)
OK, some changes - added October 2006:
FIRST, concurrent Challenges are being disallowed often by American these days. If you sign up for Gold first and try for Platinum later or vice versa, you may be shot out of the skies. As of mid-2006, reports indicate AA is becoming more restrictive on Challenges and seeing them more as a once in a litetime possibility. (Your attempt to regain a lost Challenge-gained status via another, susbequent Challenge will most likely result in failure.)
STATUS GAINED will depend on when you begin your Challenge: Begin June 1 or before, your status will last the remainder of the current calendar year and expire at the proximate end of status year - JUne 1 2006, ends Feb 28, 2007.
Begin your Challenge June 16 or later, your status will remain in force the remainder of the calendar year and the next status year - June 16, 2006 or later, your status will remain current through Feb 29, 2008.
REMEMBER all Challenges are based on POINTS, not miles, earned in a three month period. Points are earned in accordance with this chart on aa.com, and not on any older charts or mentions you may find here or elsewhere. (If flying another oneworld airline, be sure to check their AA Partner page on aa.com; some partner airline fares can earn as few points as 15% of the actual miles flown.)
And on American Airlines, pay special attention to the footnote on the linked page, which says: "** Tickets between North America and Europe, India, Asia and Latin America booked in O and Transatlantic tickets booked in Q are not eligible."
================================================== =============
ORIGINAL POST
:-: fewmiles :-: ,
Trying to keep up with all the changes and codify them on a website is virtually a Sisyphusean task! Thanks for all your work over the years - they have certainly given this FTer valuable information I've used to my, er, AAdvantage. ^ ^ ^
P. S. The new fares table is awesome! (Though in 2006, there have been some changes I don't think are reflected. Caveat volaticus homo.)
Jan 17, 2007 | 8:26 pm
#848
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: MCY
Programs: AAdvantage, QFF, UA, Hyatt, SPG
Posts: 448
I enrolled in Platinum Challenge last week and was told that as long as it has an AA flight number it will count. So AA codeshare on QF metal will count, whereas QF codeshare on AA metal wouldn't. Of course you would get AAdvantage miles either way.
Last edited by JDiver; May 9, 2007 at 3:50 pm Reason: Add clarification.
Jan 17, 2007 | 8:30 pm
#849
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: QF FF, Miles and More; SPG.
Posts: 79
I was planning to credit the Syd-Lax segment to QFF. The rest of my flights were going to go to AA (as they are in a class that does not earn on QFF). If I could credit the LAX-JFK segment (even though it was booked on QF but flying A Metal then I would meet the challenge.
Jan 17, 2007 | 8:41 pm
#850
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT EXP; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I see a dilemma with two horns here: you are on a QF codeshare on AA in a non-earning AAdvantage Miles fare, and you want to earn AA miles for a Challenge. I rather suspect it won't happen.
Jan 18, 2007 | 8:20 am
#851
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: PHL
Posts: 3,113
Here is the e-mail AAdvantage sent me, dated January 12, 2007:
-----------------
I will be happy to post this to the sticky -- wasn't sure about the etiquette -- or perhaps the mods can put a new link in the sticky to this letter.
From this letter, it is unclear whether a QF codeshare on AA metal would earn EQP if it were in the proper class, but it seems that an AA codeshare, on say, IB would.
Originally Posted by AAdvantage customer service
Thanks for speaking with me about your AAdvantage account. We have put you on a Challenge for AAdvantage Platinum membership. Congratulations – and Good Luck!
Here are some helpful tips:
· Remember that Challenges are based on points, not miles, and your goal is 10,000 points in the three-month period we discussed. If you’re not sure how you earn points, read on. (That’s why you wanted this email, right?)
· Use American Airlines (of course!) and other elite-qualifying carriers to maximize your earnings. These elite carriers are Aer Lingus, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, LAN, Qantas and Alaska Airlines (and their eligible affiliates). When you earn miles on AA or on these carriers, you also earn points. Only points count toward your Challenge. (But remember that there are some fares on these carriers that are not eligible to earn miles or points. You can easily check out these rules on aa.com/aadvantage when you select ‘Partners and Mileage Programs’ and then navigate to the particular airline.) And please note: For Challenges that start on January 1, 2007 and later, only points earned on American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection flights (including AA codeshare flights operated by other carriers) will count toward Challenges.
· Select fares with high point values. If, for example, you use Deep Discount Fares, get ready to fly 20,000 miles because those fares earn points at half the rate of miles. But if you buy Discount Fares, the rate is one point per mile and you can meet your Challenge by flying 10,000 elite-qualifying miles. And if you select premium fares, you earn 1.5 points per mile and can meet the Challenge by flying just – OK, you do the math!
· Know the point values you’ll earn for the booking codes you select. Yes it may look like alphabet soup, but there’s a point to these codes. In fact, there’s anywhere from 5 – 1.5 points!
· Earn 1.5 points per mile when the purchased fare on your American Airlines ticket begins with one of these booking codes: A F P D I J B Y
· Earn 1.0 point per mile for these AA booking codes: H K L M V W
· Earn .5 points per mile for these AA booking codes: G N O* Q** S (sorry, you knew there had to be an asterisk somewhere)
· Equivalent booking codes for the other elite-qualifying carriers are included on the various airline pages on AA.com
· How can you determine what booking code is used for the fare you’re purchasing? Simply ask the booking agent, whether that’s your travel agent, corporate travel planner or AA Reservations representative. Or, even better, when you book your flights on AA.com, the Flight Summary screen displays the booking code in the same column as the cabin booked
· Here’s an easy way to keep track of your progress: Before you take your first flight in the Challenge period, look at your YTD Elite Qualifying Points. You can access this information when you login to AA.com with your AAdvantage number and password. (If I’ve just lost you, call us at 800-421-0600 and request the email on ‘AA.com Login and Passwords.’) Click on ‘View My Miles’ and your Mileage Summary (displayed on the left) includes your YTD Elite Qualifying Points. Add 10,000 to this number and that’s what you’re shooting for. At the end of your Challenge, if your YTD Elite Qualifying Points are 10,000 more than when you started, victory is yours and you’ll see ‘Status: Platinum’ on your Home Page right below your name when you login to AA.com.
A Challenge is intended for members who are in a hurry to get to the elite level they desire. Think of it as a shortcut to the status you would probably earn on your own during the normal 12-month qualification period. If you meet your Challenge goal, then you will be expected to requalify the following year by meeting the normal criteria. We know you can do it.
Now here are those pesky but important footnotes:
*O -- only eligible domestic fares booked in O will count
**Q -- excludes American Airlines transatlantic fares booked in Q and equivalent booking codes on participant airlines
AAdvantage Customer Service
Here are some helpful tips:
· Remember that Challenges are based on points, not miles, and your goal is 10,000 points in the three-month period we discussed. If you’re not sure how you earn points, read on. (That’s why you wanted this email, right?)
· Use American Airlines (of course!) and other elite-qualifying carriers to maximize your earnings. These elite carriers are Aer Lingus, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, LAN, Qantas and Alaska Airlines (and their eligible affiliates). When you earn miles on AA or on these carriers, you also earn points. Only points count toward your Challenge. (But remember that there are some fares on these carriers that are not eligible to earn miles or points. You can easily check out these rules on aa.com/aadvantage when you select ‘Partners and Mileage Programs’ and then navigate to the particular airline.) And please note: For Challenges that start on January 1, 2007 and later, only points earned on American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection flights (including AA codeshare flights operated by other carriers) will count toward Challenges.
· Select fares with high point values. If, for example, you use Deep Discount Fares, get ready to fly 20,000 miles because those fares earn points at half the rate of miles. But if you buy Discount Fares, the rate is one point per mile and you can meet your Challenge by flying 10,000 elite-qualifying miles. And if you select premium fares, you earn 1.5 points per mile and can meet the Challenge by flying just – OK, you do the math!
· Know the point values you’ll earn for the booking codes you select. Yes it may look like alphabet soup, but there’s a point to these codes. In fact, there’s anywhere from 5 – 1.5 points!
· Earn 1.5 points per mile when the purchased fare on your American Airlines ticket begins with one of these booking codes: A F P D I J B Y
· Earn 1.0 point per mile for these AA booking codes: H K L M V W
· Earn .5 points per mile for these AA booking codes: G N O* Q** S (sorry, you knew there had to be an asterisk somewhere)
· Equivalent booking codes for the other elite-qualifying carriers are included on the various airline pages on AA.com
· How can you determine what booking code is used for the fare you’re purchasing? Simply ask the booking agent, whether that’s your travel agent, corporate travel planner or AA Reservations representative. Or, even better, when you book your flights on AA.com, the Flight Summary screen displays the booking code in the same column as the cabin booked
· Here’s an easy way to keep track of your progress: Before you take your first flight in the Challenge period, look at your YTD Elite Qualifying Points. You can access this information when you login to AA.com with your AAdvantage number and password. (If I’ve just lost you, call us at 800-421-0600 and request the email on ‘AA.com Login and Passwords.’) Click on ‘View My Miles’ and your Mileage Summary (displayed on the left) includes your YTD Elite Qualifying Points. Add 10,000 to this number and that’s what you’re shooting for. At the end of your Challenge, if your YTD Elite Qualifying Points are 10,000 more than when you started, victory is yours and you’ll see ‘Status: Platinum’ on your Home Page right below your name when you login to AA.com.
A Challenge is intended for members who are in a hurry to get to the elite level they desire. Think of it as a shortcut to the status you would probably earn on your own during the normal 12-month qualification period. If you meet your Challenge goal, then you will be expected to requalify the following year by meeting the normal criteria. We know you can do it.
Now here are those pesky but important footnotes:
*O -- only eligible domestic fares booked in O will count
**Q -- excludes American Airlines transatlantic fares booked in Q and equivalent booking codes on participant airlines
AAdvantage Customer Service
I will be happy to post this to the sticky -- wasn't sure about the etiquette -- or perhaps the mods can put a new link in the sticky to this letter.
From this letter, it is unclear whether a QF codeshare on AA metal would earn EQP if it were in the proper class, but it seems that an AA codeshare, on say, IB would.
Last edited by JDiver; May 9, 2007 at 3:24 pm Reason: edit for highlighting and clarification
Jan 18, 2007 | 5:19 pm
#852
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT EXP; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
First, if they allow you to fly a Platinum Challenge after you earn Gold via a Challenge, IMO you will have to earn 10,000 points, with no credit given (except for regularly earned status,) for the initial 5,000 points.
As to when it is strategically advantageous to sign up - IMO, all things being more or less equal
, it is always best to sing up for a Challenge June 15 or later - status then lasts the remainder of the calendar year earned in and the following status year. (E.g. earn Platinum via a Challenge signing up, say, May 15, 2007, your Platinum status lasts through Feb 29, 2008, if you do not fully qualify for Platinum this calendar year; sign up Jun 15 or later 2007, status persists through Feb 29, 2009, regardless.
As to when it is strategically advantageous to sign up - IMO, all things being more or less equal
, it is always best to sing up for a Challenge June 15 or later - status then lasts the remainder of the calendar year earned in and the following status year. (E.g. earn Platinum via a Challenge signing up, say, May 15, 2007, your Platinum status lasts through Feb 29, 2008, if you do not fully qualify for Platinum this calendar year; sign up Jun 15 or later 2007, status persists through Feb 29, 2009, regardless. Thank you for info. May I please ask: if you signed up for Gold, strategically when is the best time to try--if they let you- to sign up for Plat Challenge? After you met the Gold and just before you are ready to the second 5,000 EPoints? The assumption is that the person on ther Gold Challenge flies domestic to get the first 5,000 EPoints( not a large multi thousand international flight)
Jan 19, 2007 | 2:18 pm
#853
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA EXP & 1MM, SkyTeam Gold, *A Gold, Hilton Gold, Starwood Gold, mother's favorite son
Posts: 333
You CAN make the challenge...
I was planning to credit the Syd-Lax segment to QFF. The rest of my flights were going to go to AA (as they are in a class that does not earn on QFF). If I could credit the LAX-JFK segment (even though it was booked on QF but flying A Metal) then I would meet the challenge.
If you want to err on the side of caution, the solution is simple. SYD-LAX is an AA codeshare, so re-book your flights using the AA flight number. (Sure, you'll miss out on your QF status credits... but they're of little use once you reach OW Sapphire anyway. It's best to stick with the one program.)
Even if there's a reticketing fee of a hundred bucks or so to "cancel" your Qantas flight and re-book it as an AA flight all the way from SYD to JFK, I'd opt for it. Better safe than sorry...
Jan 19, 2007 | 6:13 pm
#854
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 11
I'm presently gold until the end of February 2007, being my status is going to expire based on last year's flights I thought I should sign up for a challenge to maintain my gold status for this year. I'm flying enough during January/February to qualify, but I'm told I cannot sign up for a gold challenge until my gold officially expires (3/1/07).
Jan 19, 2007 | 6:37 pm
#855
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999