Thank you for your help. The Complete Guide to American Airlines Concierge Key Last updated: July 21,2022 Originally Published: March 18,2022 by Jestan Mendame Gold - 30,000 loyalty points Platinum - 75,000 loyalty points Platinum Pro - 125,000 loyalty points Executive Platinum - 200,000 loyalty points Get Executive Platinum and OneWorld Emerald status benefits $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. It's easy to apply by visiting FrontierStatusMatch.com. First I would check your emails and see if you have an offer from AA for elevating status to Platinum. To keep that status for an additional 4 months (so, 8 in total) you need to earn as follows: If you earn the required amount of points, youll be allowed to keep that status for 4 additional months. When you were offered the challenge, the dates should have been included but if they are not, you should call and ask for dates (and terms) to be confirmed in writing. Thanks for all you do! As of right now, we have halted all status matches and challenges. Just called 888-697-5636 and was told that this number is no longer in service. Does anyone know if the challenge end-date represents the start or completion of a trip in order for it to count? For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Thanks for confirming that the new program is coming after March! 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. How American Airlines' New Instant Status Pass Works This unique status challenge gives AAdvantage members the chance to earn status and reap the benefits quicker. Can you fly Qatar Airways and be credited with qualifying miles towards the status challenge? You are switching airlines and plan to continue earning status in subsequent years. This was as of the beginning of September 2018. Worth a call? Thanks. This bonus value is an estimated valuation. Plus, you can pay with a combination of AAdvantage miles and dollars. 2726 EQD, 8477 EQM, 10 EQS. Your status is only valid after meeting the requirements until the next year. 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. Do you think this a decent offer or should I just find a cheap multi-city flight? Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. 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. Thank you for pointing that out! 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. After quite a number of tries, I succeeded in convincing the system that I wanted AAdvantage. Unless you fly 30 qualifying segments, you won't earn the Loyalty Choice Benefits associated with your status tier. 1h 31m. Alternatively, you may be able to register directly for an Instant Status Pass in your online wallet in your AAdvantage profile. It does help to have an upcoming American Airlines itinerary booked, but flyers can be approved without status or an itinerary booked. Perhaps most interestingly, the airline is changing the challenge period to a trimester system, giving flyers three phases in which to boost their status. I think the AA status Platinum challenge is a lot easier for me to attain the Oneworld Sapphire. Make sure that you're ready to begin the challenge before you submit your request as your three-month complimentary Status period will begin within 24 hours after you receive your email confirmation. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. The following is a targeted offer. While most members will be charged a co-pay, some will be granted a complimentary challenge that's targeted at their demographic. From: Guest October 14, 2022. . 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. Yes, when calling, it now re-directs to 800-882-8880. 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. Terrific article! Just inquired and got a reply that they are not doing a challenge until later this year. If you want a high tier of status, you need to earn that amount of Loyalty Points during the first phase, as you wont be able to increase your status during the second or third phases, however, you will be given a soft landing to a lower tier if you dont quite make the Loyalty Points of the status youre aiming for. is a senior reporter at TPG. It will be a whole lot easier flying American from here on out! Also, if you do not meet the requirements of the challenge, your status expires after the 90 day period. Has anyone done a status challenge in 2022? Following this 4-month period, youll be required to earn additional Loyalty Points in additional 4-month chunks. Good luck with your challenge. You have written an amazing article! Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Unfortunately, they will not let you pay it. I am currently doing the Platinum challenge and expect to successfully complete the challenge this month. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. American Airlines is debuting a revamped elite status challenge program called the "Instant Status Pass" that allows you to fast-track your way to status, including top-tier Executive Platinum. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. Staying 10 qualifying nights in 90 days to keep Explorist through February 2024 Thank you, Frank. We all thank you!! Thank you so much for reading, for your comment and for taking the time to tell us about your offer. Note that you can only aim for a higher status by earning additional Loyalty Points during phase 1, not during phases two and three. It doesnt sound like you purchased status with your challenge so unfortunately youll have to wait until your challenge is met to receive Platinum status and the associated benefits. BUT the AAdvantage rep I just spoke to said that because I booked directly with Cathay, and not as an AA code-share, the miles wouldnt qualify. Clem H. Hello Clem. 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. In the end, it is a personal decision based on your situation. Thank you so much for reading and Im glad you found the information useful. Is it worth it? 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. Any updates if and when the challenge will be back? If you are going to fly United more in 2019 and also use the upgraded Gold status with American Airlines, I think it makes sense to pay for the upgrade. Fortunately, even if you purchase the Gold level, it appears that if you do make the Platinum challenge requirements, you can pay the extra $125 and secure that level. (Historically, Americans status challenge window was based on 90-day windows.). Hi, love the blog!! I would look at Google flights, narrow your search to One World and premium economy class (or business). I am curious about the timing. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Ive been an AA (lowly) Gold member for about 7 years running. So, that is the route I chose to take. Hi Jesse. Once youve completed your status challenge and continue to fly on American Airlines, you may want to elevate your elite status to an even higher level with an American Airlines AAdvantage-branded credit card, such as the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard. And it requires you to pay a fee upfront for participating in that status challenge. Good luck. Partner airlines in premium classes work well for gaining EQMs and EQDs. Register by November 30, 2022, to receive World of Hyatt Explorist status for 90 days Complete 10 qualifying nights within 90 days (typically requires 30 in a calendar year) after registration and earn Explorist status through February 2024 Once youve sorted out your registration details, the next step is earning Loyalty Points to hit the challenge benchmarks. Status is recognized by all OneWorld Alliance member airlines. Download for free today! Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Good luck with completing it but it sounds like youre very determined so I am sure youll be successful. Yes, the flight to Belize was booked using miles, so it unfortunately does not count. I can understand your confusion as that statement could be clearer. I updated your current stats with the information you sent in your second comment. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer. Thank you for such a comprehensive report of the AA status Challenge. As in the example above, Id earn more than enough EQMs and EQDs to hit the 12,000 EQM/2,000 EQD threshold. Find your next points redemption sweet spot with the TPG App. You may also want to consider requesting a Platinum challenge. I was about 109 dollars shy of the gold status, I called and the costumer service representative wasnt that helpful. Hi Ivan. You are short on EQMs and want to know if you should call and request a challenge? Hi Russell. So its kind of like paying $235 for status on two airlines. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax or legal advice. With that said, you can try calling back and speaking with a different representative. Unlike other airlines that offer status matches, American does not publish the specific requirements for these challenges. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Plus Ups are excluded. If youre willing to pay the associated fee, value Platinum status for your ongoing travels, and know you will not make the 75,000 EQM needed, it makes sense to go for it. 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 do reach the Platinum status challenge level during your travels, you can pay the additional $125 fee (or whatever amount they confirm) to receive Platinum status. Current EQD/EQM/EQS do not count, only what you earn during the challenge period. Personally, I would not pay the $395 for Gold status. Hi Sonia! I can also confirm Qantas is no longer eligible, and I mistakenly signed up in a futile attempt. Good for you for securing the AA status challenge. For example, I am short of Platinum with AA and my offer was $895 to secure the status through next year. It is possible they will give it to you anyway but you cannot count on that. Unfortunately, you must be approved for the challenge prior to flying. 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 Mukesh. It is however a bit of a bummer that members with AAdvantage Platinum status or higher can't use this offer to re-qualify. That said, it's incredibly important to time your Instant Status Pass strategically. Hi Bob. However, American seems to have halted all. 2023 Upgraded Points, LLC. Firstly, do current miles count towards a challenge? Reports for obtaining status with American Airlines AAdvantage. If current miles count, Id then have 5000 EQD and 16000 EQM. airline merger rumors 2022 19 3407 . From: Guest February 22, 2023 Match Do you know if current miles count towards a challenge? Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. Thanks for the great article Christine! To keep status for the following year, youll need to earn the third phase of Loyalty Points, likely equal to those in the first 2 phases. But I have been flying frequently from GSO to DFW every few weeks. Unfortunately, you will be able to earn only AA miles, and nothing for EQM/EQDs on your itinerary. As a reminder, with American AAdvantage's Loyalty Points system, the carrier no longer uses the calendar year for status qualification, but rather status is earned between the beginning of March and the end of February of the following year (and status is then valid through the end of March). Great article. Join FlightAware View more flight history Purchase entire flight history for AAL2022. But Golds do still get complimentary MCE seats at check-in. Subsequently, youll need to earn enough Loyalty Points within a 4-month period. It took 44 minutes but close enough. If I buy a qualifying ticket that gets me to that amount, do I need to also fly that ticket before the expiration date or will the purchase before the date be enough? 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. He writes travel and product reviews, deep dives into loyalty programs, news about the airline industry and more. Very clearly stated all the ins and outs of getting elite status. The email you received confirming your status challenge at that time would state the terms of the agreement and specify which flights are eligible. It sounds like it is important to you to have status while you are flying. At the moment, it seems like your challenge will be good until Jan 1, 2021, but double check with AA. On the bright side it will give me something to ponder on the 16-hour flight! 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 Yuel. Either way, Im considering a platinum challenge and throwing in an extra trip to get there. You dont even need elite status with another airline to participate in Americans Instant Status Pass challenge its a pay to play shortcut offered to meet qualifications for its AAdvantage Gold or Platinum status levels. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Do that, and youll be allowed to keep your status for an additional 4 months (a total of 1 year). Some flyers may be targeted for a free challenge and do not need to pay, though you will find out if you are targeted by calling AAdvantage customer service. Unfortunately no. Hi Kim. I feel like this may be a decent offer. In addition, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We do know, however, that the timing of approval affects the cost and duration of the offer. Since I now know that I cant get help with anything I cant just do online, Ill consider American as a backup for those few itineraries where United and Delta arent going to work out for me. 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. Anyone else had that experience? I am considering doing a platinum challenge however, I would much rather have the status through 2021 (Who wouldnt) Paying for an Education. After purchasing platinum status I was able to upgrade seats on some upcoming flights for myself and my companion on the same itinerary. Fee to play was $120. If you fly 50,000 this year, you will make Gold so you must be referring to a Platinum Challenge. Thanks for any thoughts! I have been offered a status challenge (as part of the World of Hyatt partnership), and the T&C state: Eligible tickets include purchased, published fares flown between the date you register and the date 3 months after you register. My question is do you think that means the flights have to be PURCHASED within the 3 months, or just FLOWN.