If you sign up for a lower-tier status challenge, but along the way earn a higher amount of Loyalty Points that would normally qualify you for a higher tier, you wont be able to enjoy a higher status, so its important you enroll in the correct challenge up front and then immediately earn the required points for that higher tier right away. Congrats on being a million miler and for securing the Platinum challenge/match with American. We are not American Airlines, and our advice should not be treated as such. Submitting a request: You can send an email to request a status challenge with American Airlines or call AAdvantage customer service at 888-697-5636. Last updated: November 01,2022 Originally Published: November 01,2022 by Jestan Mendame Phase 1: Receive elite status for 4 months and you can maintain that status for another 4 months if you earn the required number of Loyalty Points. $450 fee Unfortunately, you will be able to earn only AA miles, and nothing for EQM/EQDs on your itinerary. This time around, American hasnt published any specific costs, and this will vary greatly on your history, what status youre going for, and other demographics. It sounds like it is important to you to have status while you are flying. Who Is Eligible for an American Airlines AAdvantage Status Challenge? Heads up, I just tried this again and got a note that as of November 15, 1050. The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. It has also offered free challenges for some AAdvantage credit cardholders. My biggest flight will be from ORD to AMS on AA/BA, and then BCN to ORD on AA non stop. Thank you for pointing that out! So, for instance, if you signed up for a Gold challenge, but earned 67,000 Loyalty Points in the first four months, your temporary status will be upgraded to the Executive Platinum tier for the second phase. Hi Ivan. I would expect that once the new program is fully in place, American will announce a new status challenge. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Her successful insurance and financial services career has been an excellent foundation from which to source her knowledge for many of Upgraded Points travel insurance articles. Have you ever seen or heard of any exceptions or are they pretty tight on that window? This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. We added a note to the top of the article back in December to let readers know the program was discontinued for 2021 and to check back for the updated program. If I sign up for the challenge will AA include my flight to PEK if it is still in the 3 month window? By JT Genter Oct 17,. On the bright side it will give me something to ponder on the 16-hour flight! Thanks again for the great article! AAdvantage Customer Service is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST Monday through Friday and can be reached at 800-882-8880. See our Advertiser Disclosurefor more details. 2018 I did not fly enough and they offered me $799 to buy my gold status for 2019. You do not normally need to have all of the flights booked to qualify for the challenge so you do not need to book an additional flight. It's easy to apply by visiting FrontierStatusMatch.com. Thanks for all you do! During that time, you'll instantly begin enjoying the benefits of the status tier that you signed up for. I am considering doing a platinum challenge however, I would much rather have the status through 2021 (Who wouldnt) Hello Lynne. Good luck; I hope you accomplish the challenge. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). You might wonder who would pay for such an opportunity. Im trying to determine my best course of action to get either Gold or Platinum. At the moment, it seems like your challenge will be good until Jan 1, 2021, but double check with AA. Hi Barry and congrats on being offered the Gold challenge. Hi Amber. Download for free today! Who doesnt enjoy the benefits of complimentary upgrades, free checked bags, early boarding, fee waivers, and priority assistance when things go wrong? Platinum Historically, AA charged upwards of $200 to enroll in a challenge. So yes, you can pay the fee and then fly your Belize flight. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. If you do not find one, you can write to American Airlines AAdvantage Program at [emailprotected] and ask if you have an offer to pay up to Platinum. You'll get a corresponding AA status for 4 months. When you register for a challenge, youll be given the details of your offer and be charged a co-pay. (2) If you do need to start the challenge before you book, can you define the 90 day timeframe? 13,000pts needed in the first 4 months During that second 4-month period, youll need to earn a second amount of Loyalty Points, similar to the amount in the first phase. Hi Sonia! But Golds do still get complimentary MCE seats at check-in. We may be compensated when you click on links from one or more of our advertising partners. I know I wont be flying again during the 90 day period so while I earn enough miles on the leg back, they are splitting the cost of the ticket on the two legs and I wont earn the qualifying dollars. In order to participate in a status challenge with American, you cannot currently hold status youve earned from a previous AAdvantage challenge. Will I also get the dollars needed for the status challenge? Thanks for any thoughts! Partner airlines in premium classes work well for gaining EQMs and EQDs. Do you think this a decent offer or should I just find a cheap multi-city flight? Lets say April 15 to July 15. Alternatively, you may be able to register directly for an Instant Status Pass in your online wallet in your AAdvantage profile. Here are 14 ways to earn Loyalty Points. Has anyone done a status challenge in 2022? Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. Good luck and safe travels. . British Airways premium economy to Europe can be a good choice but you would need more than one trip. I have an offer to get Gold for $235, Im currently $181 EQD short. TPG values it at $1,600. However, I knew I was flying a round trip from Istanbul to Phoenix going through London in January and returning in Feb. Related: Chasing American Airlines elite status? Thanks! Of course, I get a tape: we are busier than normal and then we can call you back between 31 and 42 minutes from now. OK. If you'd like to add a comment to this article and share your valuable feedback and opinions, please Very clearly stated all the ins and outs of getting elite status. As part of the new challenge program, American will allow you to earn a higher tier (or downgrade to a lower tier) than the one you signed up for. But I have been flying frequently from GSO to DFW every few weeks. Hello Peter and thanks for your comment. For example, if you purchased status to be effective during the challenge, and you completed the requirements early, the status will of course continue for the term specified in the email confirmation. The trip can be completed in one day and Ill have some fun doing it. is a senior reporter at TPG. Then, it's up to you. Called on the AA challenge today since I had a flight to South America in the works. . ), Alternatively, if you registered for a Platinum challenge, but only earned 20,000 Loyalty Points during the first phase, you'll begin the second phase with temporary Gold status a so-called "soft landing.". I have a question. On the flip side, if you begin a challenge on Feb. 1, 2023, and complete all three phases by Feb. 1, 2024, your status will be valid through March 31, 2025. Unfortunately, AA does not publish guidelines for their status challenges so we have to go by what has been offered to each individual. Hello Gantry. I think the AA status Platinum challenge is a lot easier for me to attain the Oneworld Sapphire. So are there times when they will not allow you a status challenge beyond the reasons you already mentioned? Do all flights for the status challenge approved airlines have to be booked and paid for via the AA website to have eligible EQM and EQD? $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. ENROLL NOW 3. How I plan to earn American Airlines Executive Platinum status with Loyalty Points, earn Loyalty Points through any qualifying activity, Chasing American Airlines elite status? However, I find CXs next tier of Gold (OneWorld Sapphire ) very hard to achieve. If you start a challenge on or after July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, and complete the requirements, your Medallion Status . this year.. American Airlines does not normally offer a free elite status challenge. Learn more. The email confirmation you would have received in March would dictate the terms of the challenge. Worth a call? But in your description of AAdvantage Gold benefits, you indicate that Gold members get a 50% discount on Main Cabin Extra seats purchased in advance of check in. When you enroll, youll be given whatever tier you enroll under upfront, meaning you can enjoy the benefits immediately. I dont need the status for my other planned trips in Feb and March, and would rather delay starting if it will guarantee the longer status, however if not then I may as well call them now for my domestic trip next week. AAdvantage Executive Platinum: 67,000 Loyalty Points. 25,000pts needed the following 4 months. Also, if you do not meet the requirements of the challenge, your status expires after the 90 day period. Read on for more. I can switch and choose my airlines that will give me the required EQM and EQD from then on. Executives hint at an answer. American Airlines recently launched Instant Status Pass. They equal about 18000 EQM and easily 4000 EQD. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer. To request a status challenge with American Airlines, we recommend calling AAdvantage customer service at 888-697-5636. Is that even possible, or should I call again and challenge for platinum. Thanks for reading. From: Guest October 14, 2022. . When you receive a confirmation email from American Airlines with your status challenge approval, the qualifying airlines, as well as the other terms of the challenge, will be spelled out. Hi Derrick and thanks for your question. Unless otherwise stated, your status is valid only until 2020. Hi CJ! First I would check your emails and see if you have an offer from AA for elevating status to Platinum. You may also want to consider requesting a Platinum challenge. These rates will vary depending on your current status, historical flying patterns with American and other undisclosed factors. I would hate to do a mileage run just to spend that amount. There are some cases where it may make sense, including if: If you do plan to continue flying with American Airlines and go on to qualify for elite status, youll want to review the annual requirements. I need 1 more trip and have a flight OB on 1/20 and return on 1/22. You are short on EQMs and want to know if you should call and request a challenge? This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). The Fort Worth-based carrier on Monday unveiled a revamped elite status challenge program that it is calling Instant Status Pass.. Signup here Tier levels in the AAdvantage program Then you must complete the requirements within the 90 day time frame allotted. Unlike other airlines that offer status matches, American does not publish the specific requirements for these challenges. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). 08:04PM EST Charlotte/Douglas Intl - CLT. While some top-tier elites may be worried about American offering challenges to Executive Platinum status, Samp doesn't think this will lead to a rebalancing of elite tiers that skews to the higher ranks. However, the credit card information that we publish has been written by experts who know these products inside out, and what we recommend is what we would (or already) use ourselves. Just inquired and got a reply that they are not doing a challenge until later this year. Now, the question is; If I book the (refundable) qualifying flight, pay for the fee to have active gold status, fly on my Belize flight using that status, then cancel the flight when I get back, will something happen besides me just not getting gold status after that? Terms apply to offers below. I was told I would have to pay $100 and complete 7,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) + $1,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) OR 8 Elite Qualifying Segments (EQSs) + $1,000 EQDs. Im thinking of calling back to see if another rep gives me a different answerbut wary of spending the $200 fee (Im upgrading from Gold) if theres a chance it wont work. In fact, different flyers may even receive different offers. BUT, when I called, they told me since Im still a Gold member through 31 January, the January leg of my flight will not count. I fly STL to PHI every other week. Anyone who wants to obtain status with American Airlines can request to participate in a status challenge. No one looks forward to giving up that VIP treatment and starting over again from scratch with a new airline. Dear Christine, The best part of this offer is that you'll hold elite status until January 31, 2022. Log in to see if you qualify for this offer. One factor determining how long your status will be granted, once you complete the challenge, is when your challenge request is approved. Hi and thanks so much for reading. American also requires you to pay a fee to participate in a status challenge. Ultimately, Samp said that the new program is designed for simplicity. American Airlines AAdvantage Status Match und Challenge fr Hyatt Statuskunden Der Status Match hat eine Gltigkeit von 4 Monaten. You have upcoming flights with American Airlines and would like to enjoy better seating, priority boarding, free checked bags, etc. will flights I previously booked still count. Or are there better ways to get from my current gold to platinum? 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