American Airlines Aadvantage Platinum Challenge - a Fast Track to Frequent Flyer Status

American Airlines' frequent flyer program, AAdvantage, awards perks to frequent flyers, based on miles travelled in the previous year. What you won't find advertised anywhere on their website however, is that you can accelerate the process by signing up for the AAdvantage Gold or Platinum Challenge.

The Aadvantage Gold or AAdvantage Platinum challenge allows frequent flyers, about to undertake significant travel to fast track their eligibility for Aadvantage Gold or Platinum frequent flyer status. Aadvantage Gold or Platinum status also gives frequent flyers status within the oneworld airline alliance.

Aadvantage Gold is equivalent to oneworld Ruby frequent flyer status, and Aadvantage Platinum is equivalent to oneworld Sapphire frequent flyer status.

The oneworld airline alliance includes: American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Mexicana, Japan Airlines and Qantas (amongst others).

American Airlines Aadvantage Gold Challenge

The American Airlines Aadvantage Gold challenge rewards travelers achieving 5,000 qPoints with Aadvantage Gold Status (oneworld Ruby). All travel must be completed within a 3 month period from sign-up.

American Airlines Aadvantage Platinum Challenge

The American Airlines Aadvantage Platinum challenge rewards travelers achieving 10,000 qPoints with Aadvantage Gold Status (oneworld Sapphire). All travel must be completed within a 3 month period from sign-up.

American Airlines Aadvantage Challenges - What are qPoints?

The most important thing to note is that qPoints are not the same as Aadvantage frequent flyer miles. An American Airlines or oneworld partner flight may qualify for Aadvantage frequent flyer miles, but not for qPoints. This is probably the most important thing to note if you are to undertake either the American Airlines AAdvantage Gold or Platinum Challenges.

qPoints are awarded based on fare basis and number of miles flown on eligible flights and fares. If you are undertaking the challenge, determine that you r routing is eligible prior to finalizing your booking. Otherwise, you'll not only be out the challenge enrolment fee (depending on the challenge you signed up for) but you won't achieve the perks of Aadvantage frequent flyer status.

American Airlines Aadvantage Challenges - What does it cost?

Although signing up for a challenge used to be free, it now carries a fee. Signing up for the American Airlines Aadvantage Gold Frequent Flyer Challenge will leave you $80 out of pocket, and the Platinum Challenge will set you back $150.

The fees associated with the American Airlines Aadvantage Challenges ensure only those travelers certain to benefit from the Aadvantage frequent flyer status undertake the challenge.

American Airlines Aadvantage Challenges - What flights are eligible?

Only American Airlines flights, including code shares, are eligible for qpoints in the Aadvantage Gold and Platinum Challenges.

In addition, only certain fare classes are eligible. Other fare classes again accrue qPoints at an accelerated rate.

Fare Classes Y and B accrue qPoints at the rate of 1.5 for each mile.

Fare Classes H, K L M V and W accrue qPoints at the rate of 1 for each mile.

Fare Classes G, N, O, Q and S accrue qPoints at the rate of 0.5 for each mile. Note: Check with Aadvantage Customer Service-the rules are around these fare classes change over time and depend on route/sectors flown.

Other fare classes are ineligible for accruing qPoints. It is also important to note that there are exceptions within the last group of fare classes for certain routes.

The sign-up fee may not be the only additional cost you bear in undertaking the challenge. Booking travel in one of the eligible fare classes may also have you paying a premium over the cheapest available fare (at your time of booking).

Who should undertake the American Airlines Aadvantage Gold or Platinum Challenges?

Anyone who is undertaking long-haul travel, or many flight sectors, in a short period of time on an Oneworld airline alliance carrier should consider the American Airlines Gold and Platinum Challenge.

However, if you are not going to be undertaking travel post challenge; your airline status may not be worth the sign-up fee.

How do I undertake the American Airlines Aadvantage Platinum or Gold Challenge?

Sign up for an Aadvantage frequent flyer account

If you don't already have an Aadvantage frequent flyer account, sign up at www.aa.com. The American Airlines Aadvantage Platinum or Gold Challenges can only be completed using an American Airlines Aadvantage frequent flyer account. Use only your Aadvantage Frequent Flyer account on itineraries you wish to be Challenge eligible.

Sign up for the American Airlines Aadvantage Gold or Platinum Challenge

Call Aadvantage Customer Service +1 817 799 2500 and to sign up for the Aadvantage Platinum (or Gold) Challenge. Challenges start on the 1^st and 15^th of each month, and you must nominate which challenge, Gold or Platinum, that you wish to undertake. The challenge runs over 90 days.

Book the American Airlines (including codeshare) flight.

Flights need to be booked with an AA flight number. For example Qantas flies the Los Angeles to Sydney sector as QF12, but flights can be booked under a codeshare American Airlines (AA) flight number. Book your flight on QF12 and the flight is not eligible for qPoints under the American Airlines Aadvantage Challenges, but book the flight under AA 7364 and you are eligible.

Book the Correct Fare Class

As per the table above, not all flight sectors qualify for qPoints, even if there is an American Airlines code share. Check with Aadvantage Customer Service for your itinerary's eligibility. The table above is valid for American Airlines flights. Fare classes on other Oneworld airlines may vary.

Enjoy your Vacation!

Enjoy your vacation with the knowledge that when you return home, you will receive a new Aadvantage membership card showing your new status (Gold or Platinum). All future travel after completion of the challenge will enjoy the perks of Aadvantage Gold or Platinum status and Oneworld Ruby or Oneworld Sapphire status.

For a list of benefits, see www.aa.com/aadvantage and www.Oneworld.com.

Please Note: Fees and Rules around the American Airlines Aadvantage Platinum and Gold Challenges are subject to change! Confirm all details with Aadvantage Customer Service 1 817 799 2500. Do not rely solely on information found online.

Sources:

Aadvantage Customer Service + 1 817 799 2500

www.frequentflyer.com

www.airliners.net