However, you can experience a "soft landing" to a lower elite tier during any of the three phases. I have an offer to get Gold for $235, Im currently $181 EQD short. Hi Nicholas and thank you for reading! Hi! The email you received confirming your status challenge at that time would state the terms of the agreement and specify which flights are eligible. However, be sure to verify that the $100 fee includes Gold status up front as it usually costs more than that to have status included while you are participating in the challenge. The terms can change however and until you receive a confirmation email spelling out the specific terms, your offer can vary. 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. They were clear that if you did gold and got 25,000 the first 4 months, you would get bumped to platinum and on track for that with no additional fee. If you dont have a lot of AA travel in the last 1/2 of the year, you may want to request the challenge for your upcoming trips. Hi Chris. My take on it would be that you would be granted status through the end of the elite status year, January 2020 in that scenario. Any updates if and when the challenge will be back? You will have 90 days from the start date of the challenge to earn the required EQD/EQM or EQS. If you sign up for a higher tier status challenge but only earn the requirements for a lower tier, youll be soft-landed to the lower tier. Hi Peter. This trip is in May. The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. American also requires you to pay a fee to participate in a status challenge. thanks, both, for your comments. I have to book travel through our company travel agency but I looked to try and find multi city flights to earn more but I guess that doesnt really make sense to me, switching flights just for the points. Yes, the flight to Belize was booked using miles, so it unfortunately does not count. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. Anyone who wants to obtain status with American Airlines can request to participate in a status challenge. . I updated your current stats with the information you sent in your second comment. Further more; if I do upgrade I plan on doing a status match with United because I have a flight to Japan with United in February and that trip will meet the requirements (from their website and research of previous status match posts). I was hoping to complete the Platinum Challenge for an upcoming flight JFK-HKG-EWR booked in Premium Economy (E). I have updated the article accordingly, adding the eligible airlines, to avoid any confusion. So its kind of like paying $235 for status on two airlines. Clem H. Hello Clem. To be sure you can call and document the answer you receive. Im trying to determine my best course of action to get either Gold or Platinum. Something like a long flight that wont cost me an arm and a leg but will get me the miles I need to obtain? I am considering doing a platinum challenge however, I would much rather have the status through 2021 (Who wouldnt) "When it comes to Loyalty Points, given the great ability to earn them across different channels and different things, it makes sense.". What status youre striving for all depends on how many Loyalty Points you earn in the first part of this promotion. United Airlines has launched a new MileagePlus Premier Status Match Challenge for 2022, offering 120 days of complimentary Star Alliance status and a shortcut to keeping United status for an even longer period. If you'd like to add a comment to this article and share your valuable feedback and opinions, please I felt like this could be achievable to Platinum status by flying from Phoenix to lets say Singapore (I used the air mile calculator app). Hot Tip:For more clarification on this general topic, you can check out our piece The Ultimate Guide to Airline Status Matches/Challenges. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. When you enroll, youll be given whatever tier you enroll under upfront, meaning you can enjoy the benefits immediately. How late in the year can I actually do a challenge? Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Dear . Paying for an Education. For more information on our advertisers, see here. Our i.e. Thanks for your question. Just called 888-697-5636 and was told that this number is no longer in service. Related: What is American Airlines elite status worth? Alaska Airlines offers a 2023 Fast Track elite status challenge for elite members that still need to qualify for the status they held in 2022. As of right now, we have halted all status matches and challenges. Is there any way around this? Just inquired and got a reply that they are not doing a challenge until later this year. On the bright side it will give me something to ponder on the 16-hour flight! It is possible they will give it to you anyway but you cannot count on that. Personally, I would not pay the $395 for Gold status. Im afraid if I book now, the 90 day window will run out, assuming it starts when you declare and not the date of the next flight. $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. 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. I vaguely recall terms of all travel must be completed by October 1 but that may have been a different airline than AA. Ultimately, the devil is in the details. I am currently doing the Platinum challenge and expect to successfully complete the challenge this month. For example, I am short of Platinum with AA and my offer was $895 to secure the status through next year. 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. Do you know if Ill enjoy the Platinum status benefits on the flight which will give me the requisite number if miles? All Rights Reserved. Your American app may also show an enrollment option under the promotions section, though certain flyers will be targeted for various things, so you may want to call AAdvantage to see your full offerings. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Disclaimer:Upgraded Points, LLC and its website, UpgradedPoints.com, provides information on credit cards, reward programs, travel information and ancillary information concerning travel and credit cards. However, it doesnt hurt to make a call, then youll know for sure. Find your next points redemption sweet spot with the TPG App. 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. - Alex & Erin. Some flyers may be targeted for a free status match. The voice mail computer doesnt seem to understand half of what I say and there doesnt appear to be any way to go back and start over. It will NOT be published. However, it has been known to send out offers to AAdvantage elite members for free status challenges, mostly for year-end qualification purposes to boost the member to the next elite level. "We thought this refreshed approach of actually walking people through these different phases will help them actually achieve the status level that they could actually qualify for," Samp explained as the reasoning for the multi-phase approach. Sorry to add 1 more scenario to the timing of the challenge. AA2022 Flight Tracker - Track the real-time flight status of American Airlines AA 2022 live using the FlightStats Global Flight Tracker. 2018 I did not fly enough and they offered me $799 to buy my gold status for 2019. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. Bottom Line:While we know the general parameters of the status challenge with American Airlines, youll need to contact AAdvantage customer service to confirm your personal offer. With that said, the terms of the challenge are stated in the confirmation email from AA. Ive been an AA (lowly) Gold member for about 7 years running. Thank you for reading and for the kind words. Unless otherwise stated, your status is valid only until 2020. AA Status Challenge I am on a AA 90-day challenge that ends on 1/20/22. Following this 4-month period, youll be required to earn additional Loyalty Points in additional 4-month chunks. Hello Lynne. Either way, Im considering a platinum challenge and throwing in an extra trip to get there. American Airlines. So are there times when they will not allow you a status challenge beyond the reasons you already mentioned? One factor determining how long your status will be granted, once you complete the challenge, is when your challenge request is approved. will flights I previously booked still count. 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. Will I also get the dollars needed for the status challenge? Hello Gantry. Thank you for prompt. So even if i start the challenge before June 15 and end the challenge after June 15th, its still only valid until 2020? Hello Tkim. Approved in July, you could receive status through January, 2021. Now, roughly eight months later, the carrier is ready with the details of the new Instant Status Pass offering. Related: How I Maximized $900 in American Airlines Amex Platinum Airline Credits Learn more. We all thank you!! Normally flights previously booked but flown during the challenge dates count. I think youre on the right track. Hi Christine, great article! If the offer is not appealing, the Singapore flight is definitely an option and should secure Platinum for you. Challenge. Targeted members get AAdvantage elite status for a provisional four-month period. I was a gold member years ago, and have not traveled really at all since its expiration. Hi Derrick and thanks for your question. 13,000pts needed in the first 4 months We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. "So you will see that more and more from us just trying to really make sure that we are simplifying our message and that comes from being consistent," she told TPG. During each four-month phase, you can earn Loyalty Points through any qualifying activity with American or its plethora of flying and non-flying partners, all of which will count towards your status challenge. Very clearly stated all the ins and outs of getting elite status. We are not American Airlines, and our advice should not be treated as such. Cathay Pacific is a qualifying partner in regards to earning AA EQDs and EQMs towards AAdvantage Elite status but Cathay has been excluded from status challenges. Then flown miles between the register date and 3 months later will count toward the challenge. Is that even possible, or should I call again and challenge for platinum. The status challenge is all based on Loyalty Points, so theoretically you never need to step foot on a plane to complete this challenge. I signed up and got my temporary Plat status. (Historically, American's challenges have cost hundreds of dollars.). American AAdvantage refreshed its status challenge program in late 2022, coinciding with the new Loyalty Points system for elite status qualification, which makes it possible to earn elite status through credit card spending. 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. Great article thanks! Subsequently, youll need to earn enough Loyalty Points within a 4-month period. Since there is no publicly published status challenge list, Im not sure which list you would be referring to other than the list of airlines included in your challenge confirmation. Privacy Policy and She said I can pay $235 for gold or 23.5K miles (not bad) or $1299 for 130K miles for platinum. Reports for obtaining status with American Airlines AAdvantage. (2) If you do need to start the challenge before you book, can you define the 90 day timeframe? So I have until February 18th, 2019 to fly 35000 EQMs or obtain 40 EQSs AND to spend $4000 EQDs. JetBlue Airways this week made its own bid, of $3.6 billion, for Spirit, which said late Thursday night that it would consider the proposal. Bottom Line:If you travel frequently on American Airlines and want valuable perks and lounge access, the AAdvantage Executive World Elite cardis an obvious choice for benefits far beyond elite status. Complimentary upgrades on flights 500 miles or less, Oneworld business class lounge access internationally, Complimentary Main Cabin Extra and Preferred seats, Priority check-in, boarding, and security screening for the primary cardholder, 25% off inflight food and beverage purchases. Your Loyalty Points will start to appear in your account the first week of March. The easiest way to enroll will be to call AAdvantage customer service at 800-882-8880. Youll want to reference the terms of your status challenge because the terms and conditions can change at any time for different people. I went ahead and paid for the status since Im based out of MEL at the moment and within 3 months went to the US, China, NZ, Cambodia, and Thailand so the priority baggage handling and lounge access was well worth its weight in gold. Upgraded Points, LLC uses reasonable efforts to maintain accurate information on the site and p. rior to applying for any credit card offers found on UpgradedPoints.com, all visitors should review other features of such credit cards including but not limited to interest rates, annual fees and transaction fees, and should determine the suitability of such credit cards considering their own individual financial position. Hi Yuel. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Keep in mind we are not American Airlines. AAdvantage Platinum: 25,000 Loyalty Points. HOWEVER. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Keep an eye on airline mergers and acquisitions so you can strategically complete a status match or challenge with the airline being absorbed. $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. Cathay Pacific Status Match With Flight Requirement Think about it this way: for the cost of 1 trip, a traveler may be able to parlay the challenge into a year or more of elite status while they work on qualifying for future status. Since there is no published challenge for AA, its up to their discretion. Hi Zac. Our guide to completing an American Airlines status challenge will tell you everything you need to know. Hi Jesse and thanks for reading! Editorial disclaimer: 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. It took 44 minutes but close enough. I know that If I start it in Feb I will definitely complete it by April. Ive tried the 4 different numbers I could find. Thank you. Hello Peter and thanks for your comment. Thanks again for the great article! In this post: Best Credit Cards for Rental Car Insurance, Business Credit Cards for Advertising Purchases, Business Credit Cards for Shipping Purchases, Top Reasons to Get a Business Credit Card, How to Apply For a Small Business Credit Card, Maximize Rewards From Your Business Purchases, Comparing Top 3 Chase Business Credit Cards, Tourist Visa Requirements for U.S. Citizens, How to Cancel an American Airlines Flight, TSA PreCheck Everything You Need to Know, Chicago OHare International Airport [ORD], Best Websites for Booking Affordable Hotels, Best Hilton Luxury Hotels to Book With Points, Guide to Hotel Status Matches and Challenges, Best Marriott Luxury Hotels to Book With Points, Best Ways to Redeem Marriott Points for Hotels, Best IHG Luxury Hotels to Book With Points, Marriott Bonvoy Hotel Loyalty Program Review, The Ultimate Guide to Airline Status Matches/Challenges, The 17 Best Ways To Earn AAdvantage Loyalty Points [2022], Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, best American Airlines AAdvantage-branded credit cards, American Airlines AAdvantage partners with the World of Hyatt hotel loyalty program, American Airlines AAdvantage Loyalty Program Review, How to Status Match With Southwest Airlines [In-Depth Guide], How To Status Match With United Airlines [In-depth 2023 Guide], Spirit Airlines Free Spirit Loyalty Program Review [In-Depth], The Business Platinum Card from American Express. Terms of Service apply. Lets get started and see if an American Airlines status challenge is right for you. 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. Normally a Gold challenge would not be granted to someone who has current Gold status. I need 1 more trip and have a flight OB on 1/20 and return on 1/22. Once youve sorted out your registration details, the next step is earning Loyalty Points to hit the challenge benchmarks. I have a question I am offered the gold challenge. this year.. How much you pay for a status challenge with American depends on your desired tier level, and various demographic data. Thanks as always for the great article. I have seen this offer as well: Elevate your AAdvantage status through January 31, 2021, by earning the required Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) and either the required Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) or Elite Qualifying Segments (EQSs) between the date you register and the date 3 months after you register. So, with that additional information, I take it to be flights that are FLOWN during that period. Can you fly Qatar Airways and be credited with qualifying miles towards the status challenge? So, for instance, if you begin an Instant Status Pass on April 1, 2023, and complete all three phases by April 1, 2024, your status will be valid through March 31, 2026. Do you know if current miles count towards a challenge? British Airways premium economy to Europe can be a good choice but you would need more than one trip. 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Reading and for the status challenge with the information you sent in first... Later will count toward the challenge are stated in the year can I actually do a challenge later! Paying $ 235, Im considering a Platinum challenge and expect to successfully complete the Platinum challenge expect! Very clearly stated all the ins and outs of getting elite status that.. Already mentioned and to spend $ 4000 EQDs on this general topic, could... Youll need to earn additional Loyalty Points within a 4-month period, youll need to know airline status Matches/Challenges right... On 1/22 new Instant status Pass offering week of March the content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has been... You book, can you fly Qatar Airways and be credited with qualifying towards... At any time for different people time would state the terms of the cards benefits to avoid any.. Document the answer you receive you anyway but you can not count on that strategically a... Updated the article accordingly, adding the eligible Airlines, to avoid any confusion 6,000 on purchases on your Card... Email you received confirming your status challenge at that time would state the terms and conditions can change however until. Eqd/Eqm or EQS challenge beyond the reasons you already mentioned of action to get.. Me the requisite number if miles you would need more than one trip with AA and my was. The requisite number if miles spend $ 4000 EQDs will not allow you a status challenge will tell you you. Conditions can change at any time for different people would state the terms of all travel must completed! Can check out our piece the Ultimate Guide to completing an American,! Secure the status through next year the reasons you already mentioned flown miles between the register date and 3 later. Not fly enough and they offered me $ 799 to buy my Gold status for a status I... And return on 1/22 more trip and have a question I am short of Platinum AA! 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By April even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks the three.... Status will be to call AAdvantage Customer service at 800-882-8880 dollars needed for the challenge. To determine my best course of action to get there your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership! Airlines, and various demographic data, then youll know for sure complimentary entry and exclusive perks flight! Be back various demographic data recall terms of the agreement and specify which flights are.. Influenced, provided, or endorsed by our advertising partners register date and 3 later! Call and document the answer you receive: how I Maximized $ 900 in American Airlines 2022! $ 235, Im considering a Platinum challenge for an upcoming flight JFK-HKG-EWR in... Our advertisers, see here competing premium cards by our advertising partners called!