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[edit] AAdvantage Elite Status Challenge
[edit] The AA Challenge: Basics
The AAdvantage Elite Status Challenge is American Airlines' way of granting a one-time "short cut" to elite status for those flyers who will likely generate significant revenue. The Challenge is an unpublished benefit; there is nothing written publicly about it, so the Challenge could be withdrawn or changed at any time. If you have a question about a Challenge after doing your research here, please ask it in Challenge Help Desk Thread on FlyerTalk. For historical posts, you can also review the trailing thread.
[edit] Choosing a Challenge
An AA Challenge is based on flying sufficiently to earn 5,000 (AAdvantage Gold) or 10,000 (AAdvantage Platinum) Elite Qualifying Points (EQP) in a three month period. Challenges may begin on the 1st or 16th of the month. Elite Qualifying Points are figured on the basis of miles earned and fare class. See the tables at aa.com for the official rates.
Important notes:
- Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) are not the same as Elite Qualifying Points (EQP) and it is Points that count for a Challenge, miles earned are not relevant. See Miles and Points for more information on the differences.
- See the tables at aa.com for the number of points that you will earn for the various booking classes. (Also see Inventory Classes and Mileage Eligibility.)
- As of January 2007, only flights marketed by AA (with an AA flight number) are eligible for earning points that count towards the completion of a Challenge. You can still fly on a non-AA metal flight operated by a partner, but you must make sure that you have booked it with an AA codeshare flight number. (Previously, points earned on partner-marketed flights were eligible, but that is no longer the case).
- You'll earn points in accordance with the booking class that you purchased. This holds true even if you are upgraded into another booking class.
- Once attaining Gold through a challenge, you are not allowed to sign-up for a subsequent Platinum Challenge.1
- You are not allowed to use a challenge to maintain status - you must lose it and then challenge to regain it.
- You are not allowed to use a challenge to re-attain status earned through a Challenge within the same year.
- There is no Challenge for Executive Platinum.
- To acquire Executive Platinum status you must fly 100 segments or earn 100,000 EQM / EQP in the calendar year; Challenge completion does not affect (minimize) this requirement.
Status earned through a Challenge is treated the same as elite status earned through other means.
1There have been some reports of people doing this in the past, but it has become increasingly difficult and attempting either will likely just waste your time trying. It also goes against the spirit of the Challenge Program.
[edit] Signing up for a Challenge
To enroll in a challenge, call AAdvantage customer service at +1 800-882-8880.
AA instituted fees to sign up for Gold and Platinum Challenges as of Oct 15, 2008. A Gold Challenge in progress can be upgraded to a Platinum Challenge for an additional fee, as of Dec 30, 2008. Conversely, a Platinum Challenge in progress can be downgraded if the flyer can only earn 5,000 points, but the fee difference is not refunded. (Recent reports on FlyerTalk suggest that AA is no longer doing explicit downgrades but Gold status may/will be conferred at the conclusion of a Platinum Challenge if the flyer only earns 5,000 points.)
For Challenges starting June 16, 2009 or later, fees have been increased to $100 for a Gold Challenge and $200 for a Platinum Challenge, effective May 22, 2009. The cost to upgrade from a Gold Challenge in progress to a Platinum Challenge has also increased to $125. These increases (from $80/150/100) may be seasonal, because there are several reports of $150 Platinum Challenges for December 2009 and January 2010.
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 be started on the 1st and 16th of the month and you can request a specific start date (within the next few months). Be very explicit about requesting a start date unless you want the one offered to you.
[edit] Completing a Challenge
An AA Challenge is successfully completed when you earn the requisite number of points within the three month period after you sign up. Status is not conferred during the Challenge itself. (It has been reported as of Nov and Dec 2009 that Platinum Challenge participants having elite status on another airline may be granted GLD status immediately upon commencing the challenge.) On the flight on which you actually cross the threshold, status is earned for the purposes of elite bonus miles (25% GLD, 100% PLT), although those bonus miles will post separately in View My Miles and may require a call to AAdvantage Customer Service if they do not post automatically. Remember, only base miles flown and elite minimum miles count in EQP calculations; class-of-service and elite bonus miles do not count.
When you complete the Challenge you have signed up for and your flight miles post to your online account, you will probably notice your new status (Gold status graphic, Platinum status graphic). You will be able to use the benefits of your status (ability to request upgrades, priority standby) as soon as the miles post. Your ability to use certain amenities, such as elite security lines, could be diminished until you have a physical card, though you may have success by pointing out your status when printed on boarding passes.
Your new status is not automatically applied to reservations made prior to the completion of a challenge. To apply your new status to reservations made before the completion of your challenge call the Platinum Desk 1-800-843-3000 or Gold Desk 1-800-843-4653 with the Passenger Name Record (PNR) of your scheduled travel.
American will send you a welcome packet with your new status card; you should receive it within a couple of weeks. (Luggage tags are no longer part of one's welcome kit.)
If you are attempting to begin a Platinum Challenge after completing a Gold Challenge, the whole 3-month / 90-day Gold Challenge period must end before the Platinum Challenge may begin, even if you have earned 5,000 points to complete the Gold Challenge before the end of the challenge period. (This info provided by AAdvantage rep on 5/6/2008.)
Successful completion of a challenge does not provide a shortcut to the next higher elite level. When you complete a Platinum Challenge you are not half-way to Executive Platinum (EXP) status. To reach EXP status you will still have to earn 100,000 EQMs, 100,000 EQPs or 100 Flight Segments during a qualifying year. The actual number of EQMs and EQPs and Segments earned during the challenge count towards a higher status level during the remainder of the qualifying year using the regular AA elite qualification standards.
[edit] Other Information
[edit] Repeating a Challenge
AA Challenges may not be repeated back to back from one year to the next - that is, you may not use a challenge to requalify. If you do not requalify within the year, you will be downgraded one level, either to gold or no status. At the end of the downgraded year, you may complete the challenge again to regain your original status. (This info provided by AAdvantage rep on 10/10/2006.)
[edit] Failed Challenges
"Failed" Challenges may be "forgiven" as not counting, and one may be allowed to try again.
[edit] Other Resources
- FewMiles has an older site with information on Challenges and Status:
- And there is a newer site as well (some info may be outdated, though):
- Here is the new "Help Desk" where members may ask specific questions not covered here:
- There is a very long trailing thread with more details:
Please do not start a new thread about the Challenges, post to the thread above instead.
[edit] Sample Letter for Gold
The following is a letter from February 2007. A letter sent in April 2008 was nearly identical; there were no changes to the rules. (A Platinum Challenge letter sent in May 2008 has the miles and points numbers doubled, and is missing the last helpful tip; a Gold challenge letter sent May 13, 2008 remains unchanged with a 5,000 point requirement.)
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Thanks for speaking with me about your AAdvantage account. We have put you on a Challenge for AAdvantage Gold membership. Congratulations – and Good Luck! Here are some helpful tips:
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 transatlantic fares booked in Q and equivalent booking codes on participant airlines AAdvantage Customer Service |
[edit] Sample Letter for Platinum (April '09)
The following is a letter from 09-APR-09.
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Here’s the Info You Requested on Platinum Challenges: As discussed, we have charged your credit card $150 and put you on a Challenge for AAdvantage Platinum membership. Here are some tips to help you succeed:
A Challenge is intended for members who are in a hurry to get to the elite level they desire and begin enjoying their benefits. Think of it as a shortcut to the status you would probably earn on your own during the normal qualification period. Since members cannot earn their elite status by fulfilling a Challenge two years in a row, please be prepared to meet the normal criteria next time. That’s fair, right? Now you’re all set – Good Luck! |
[edit] Other Ways to Earn Status
See Elite Levels (AA) for alternate ways to earn status, including Status Matching.
