The American Airlines AAdvantage program status challenge is set for a 4-month period, and you must achieve Loyalty Points requirements during that time. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. 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. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. After quite a number of tries, I succeeded in convincing the system that I wanted AAdvantage. Privacy Policy and The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. While this is the first time that American is formally publishing a status challenge for its top-tier Executive Platinum status, the airline is not including all of the benefits for those who are participating in a challenge. You'll need to call in or look at your online profile to see if you've been chosen for a free challenge. I would expect that once the new program is fully in place, American will announce a new status challenge. (If you don't, you'll drop to the status tier corresponding to the number of Loyalty Points you earned in phases two and three. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. Who doesnt enjoy the benefits of complimentary upgrades, free checked bags, early boarding, fee waivers, and priority assistance when things go wrong? Depending on your ALL Accor Live Limitless account, you can fast-track with 10, 15, or 20 status nights: Accor Plus Silver: Stay 1 Night & Get 10 Status Nights; Accor Plus Gold: Stay 1 Night & Get 15 Status Nights To unlock Loyalty Choice Benefits, which include perks like systemwide upgrades or bonus miles, youll need to earn 200,000 Loyalty Points and fly 30 segments with American or its partners during the standard qualification period, which runs from March 1 through Feb. 28 (or 29) of the following year. Ultimately, Samp said that the new program is designed for simplicity. Just called 888-697-5636 and was told that this number is no longer in service. Dear Christine, Most airlines, such as Alaska,Delta, and United, will match your current status and then require you to complete a challenge. This challenge may consist of flying a specific number of miles or flight segments in order to extend your granted status beyond the length of the challenge, which usually lasts 90 days, however, there are different variations of what a status challenge consists of, and Americans version is very unique. I feel like this may be a decent offer. Hello Lynne. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. 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. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). I was about 109 dollars shy of the gold status, I called and the costumer service representative wasnt that helpful. You don't need to have elite status with any other airline, and you don't need to have any planned travel with American. StatusMatcher helps you obtain the valuable amenities that come with travel loyalty programs Airline Auto Rental Recent Status Match Reports Deny AirBaltic Club Status Match from Miles & More Senator declined, because my card was issued by Austrian and not Lufthansa. Thanks for confirming that the new program is coming after March! Regarding your question: I think Im following your challenge strategy, however, here is what I think would happen. 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. Some flyers may be targeted for a free status match. Any advice would be great. If you personally contacted and spoke with American Airlines, then your challenge is valid until 2021. 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. If you did not purchase status to be effective during the challenge, which it sounds like youre asking about, the email will specify when status will kick in and how long it will be valid. The easiest way to enroll will be to call AAdvantage customer service at 800-882-8880. However, you can experience a "soft landing" to a lower elite tier during any of the three phases. However, it doesnt hurt to make a call, then youll know for sure. Hi! Related: How I Maximized $900 in American Airlines Amex Platinum Airline Credits If I sign up today for the platinum challenge today (5/22/19) and my window is 3 months from now (8/22/19) Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. It does help to have an upcoming American Airlines itinerary booked, but flyers can be approved without status or an itinerary booked. What is American Airlines elite status worth? ), 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.". 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. Thanks for the heads up. 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. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. I just called the AAdvantage line and they said there is no match or challenge going on at the present. Your status is only valid after meeting the requirements until the next year. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer. Fortunately, it may not be necessary to start from scratch another airline just might want your business and be willing to match your existing elite status or offer you an opportunity for a shortcut to elite status. Yes, as we mentioned at the beginning of the article, American Airlines suspended its 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. I have seen $23 short waived for an Executive Platinum but again, you cannot count on that, especially since youre in a challenge situation where requirements are reduced anyway. However would AA say that the challenge is completed once I hit the 12,500 EQM requirement (May11), or would it be completed in July so that I can have the status through 2021? American Airlines will consider you for a status challenge even if you do not have current elite status with another airline. Great article thanks! 2021, we are no longer offering the ability to status match with To be sure you can call and document the answer you receive. A status challenge is based on EQM and EQD earned and these are not earned until flown. Anyone who wants to obtain status with American Airlines can request to participate in a status challenge. I know that If I start it in Feb I will definitely complete it by April. I have a flight from SFO to Belize May 18th. Get Alerts. I think youre on the right track. I have a question I am offered the gold challenge. Status verification and buy-ups start from $49, and applicants will need to sign up for the FRONTIER Miles program which is free to join. Signup here Tier levels in the AAdvantage program Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. However, they have not been included for earning towards a status challenge. We are pleased to offer you the opportunity to participate in our 2023 MileagePlusPremierStatus Match Challenge promotion, offering top-tier flyers of many other airlines a comparable status in the MileagePlus program. 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. 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. I can also confirm Qantas is no longer eligible, and I mistakenly signed up in a futile attempt. Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive compensation. Unless you fly 30 qualifying segments, you won't earn the Loyalty Choice Benefits associated with your status tier. Thanks again for the great article! 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. 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? I received an offer from AA for me to get Platinum Pro access by obtaining EQD 2400 and EQM 20,000 by Sept 25th. You can always make a call to American Airlines AAdvantage, tell them your situation, and see what your offer might be. IHG One Rewards has launched a generous new status match and challenge offer which is available even to base-level members of other hotel loyalty programs including Accor ALL, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, Wyndham Rewards, Best Western Rewards, Choice Privileges and Radisson Rewards. Hi Stefan. We do know, however, that the timing of approval affects the cost and duration of the offer. Executives hint at an answer. You'll hold elite status until January 31, 2023. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. On the bright side it will give me something to ponder on the 16-hour flight! Only the EQD, EQM/EQS you earn during the challenge period count. When you enroll, youll be given whatever tier you enroll under upfront, meaning you can enjoy the benefits immediately. Targeted members get AAdvantage elite status for a provisional four-month period. If you start a challenge on or after July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, and complete the requirements, your Medallion Status . Complete the requirement by April 13, 2023. Hi, I have travel starting at the end of May through August and my question is, if I complete the gold challenge will it be good through 2020 or 2021? Ive already fulfilled the EQMs, but have $224 to go in EQDs before Aug. 18. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. 13,000pts needed in the first 4 months Hopefully this makes sense. A question: If I sign up for a Platinum challenge that ends on June 16th, but actually complete the travel necessary to complete it before June 15th, will I get status for the actual date I complete (and an end to Plat status at end of Jan the next year), or at the end of the 90 day period (June 16th, and get status through Jan 31st two years from then)? I am curious about the timing. I can understand your confusion as that statement could be clearer. Reports for obtaining status with American Airlines AAdvantage. Question. Any idea? Called on the AA challenge today since I had a flight to South America in the works. Thank you so much for all this information! After youve registered, the first four-month counter begins. Hi Kim. $450 fee This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. Are the prices about the same ($150-$200ish)? The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. 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. American Airlines Status Match Waitlist for American Airlines AAdvantage Status Match 60-second registration process Waitlist for Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro status Fast, easy, simple Apply for Status Match with 100's of airlines and hotels Not a member of American Airlines ? Am I awarded the plat status until 2020 or 2021. Have you ever seen or heard of any exceptions or are they pretty tight on that window? Our I could possibly hit the 50K before the end of the year, but do you think it makes more sense to call and do the challenge? will flights I previously booked still count. This trip is in May. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. ENROLL NOW 3. TPG values it at $1,600. I am 3,374 EQM miles away from 25k and have all my EQD dollars. I want to sign up for the AAdvantage Elite Status Challenge, but, well, theres a lot of nice verbiage on the American Airlines and AAdvantage toll-free numbers, to the effect that we know your time is valuable to you etc. Fee to play was $120. Hi Jesse and thanks for reading! Thanks as always for the great article. Thank you. Do you think this a decent offer or should I just find a cheap multi-city flight? 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. Good luck. One factor determining how long your status will be granted, once you complete the challenge, is when your challenge request is approved. In order to participate in a status challenge with American, you cannot currently hold status youve earned from a previous AAdvantage challenge. She said I can pay $235 for gold or 23.5K miles (not bad) or $1299 for 130K miles for platinum. How much you pay for a status challenge with American depends on your desired tier level, and various demographic data. Thank you so much for reading, for your comment and for taking the time to tell us about your offer. Then, it's up to you. This will hopefully grandfather you into status with the new airline. So I thought, cool I meet the mileage and the dollar amount to earn gold on this challenge. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. $200 fee Thanks for all you do! Challenge offer for gold was 7000 qualifying miles and 1000 qualifying dollars in 90 days. . Any updates if and when the challenge will be back? 2018 I did not fly enough and they offered me $799 to buy my gold status for 2019. 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. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). [Expired] Amex Offer: Spend $750, Get $150 Back With Four Seasons, Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection in Miami Beach [In-depth Review], BEST OFFER EVER: Earn $900 Bonus Cash Back. So yes, you can pay the fee and then fly your Belize flight. Youll want to reference the terms of your status challenge because the terms and conditions can change at any time for different people. Can you fly Qatar Airways and be credited with qualifying miles towards the status challenge? For those who are looking to rise through the ranks of American status, the good news is that challenges are back. Ah, the joys of airline elite status. Approved in July, you could receive status through January, 2021. If I sign up for the challenge will AA include my flight to PEK if it is still in the 3 month window? 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. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Great article! 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 AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cassava Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SAVA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company . I called today and they offered Platinum for $200, $400 or $500 for the 3 different levels, respectively. Unlike other airlines that offer status matches, American does not publish the specific requirements for these challenges. Good luck! And from there I take on the challenge to reach AA Platinum tier. I fly STL to PHI every other week. The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. Heads up, I just tried this again and got a note that as of November 15, American Airlines does not publish a formal status challenge program it changes based on the person enrolling. I asked AA if they would consider a status match and they agreed to offer it to me for free! Unfortunately, you will be able to earn only AA miles, and nothing for EQM/EQDs on your itinerary. It took 44 minutes but close enough. I updated your current stats with the information you sent in your second comment. Thanks for the great article Christine! The current offer is valid until at least 30 June 2022. Thanks. Something like a long flight that wont cost me an arm and a leg but will get me the miles I need to obtain? Delta Air Lines' 2022 SkyMiles Medallion Status Match Challenge now includes Qantas and Virgin Australia frequent flyers Get instant SkyMiles Medallion Silver, Gold or Platinum status for three months; keep that status to January 2024 with just one flight Enjoy those status perks across all SkyTeam member airlines worldwide In fact, different flyers may even receive different offers. This offer is valid for requests received between January 5, 2023, and June 30, 2023. Does anyone know if the challenge end-date represents the start or completion of a trip in order for it to count? 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. For more information on our advertisers, see here. At the end of each four-month period, youll either continue on to the next phase or experience a "soft landing" or lose your temporary status entirely. Great post! Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. Good for you for securing the AA status challenge. Who Is Eligible for an American Airlines AAdvantage Status Challenge? All Rights Reserved. I thought you could do the status challenge for the next year even while youre on the tail end of your status for the previous year. You will have to pay a fee to participate in the status challenge, and then incur an additional cost if you want to enjoy status during the challenge. I am currently doing the Platinum challenge and expect to successfully complete the challenge this month. 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. What Is a Status Match/Challenge and How Does It Work? Hi Peter. Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. As part of the offer, prospective elites looking to rise the status tiers will be able to participate in an accelerated challenge that will help them enjoy benefits and attain their desired tier quickly. If the challenge was submitted and approved in May, chances are you would only earn status through this status year, January 2020. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. American Airlines "Instant Status Pass" Via Hyatt: I'm Offered Platinum Pro Status. I do have Delta Platinum already secured throughout 2019 though. Because I forgot to sign up for the challenge before I went to Beijing. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Having status with another airlines frequent flyer program or having upcoming flights booked with American is not required. You will have 90 days from the start date of the challenge to earn the required EQD/EQM or EQS. Unless otherwise stated, your status is valid only until 2020. As a million miler with lifetime (platinum equivalent) on another airline its hard to step backwards and fly another airline.