AA Challenges - Questions and General Discussion

[serfty]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10Apri

Already answered last week: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-over-qantas-ff-there-54129-2.html#post905491

...
Also - is there a way to credit the points from a JASA/FASA to AA ? Perhaps book over the phone then before you fly call up QF and get them to put your AA number in there ?

The 'cheap' JASA/FASA's book into U and P class on QF. Travel in these classes (as well as Z and X) on QF flight numbers does not earn anything with AAdvantage...

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Another question for those in the know.

Say I start the AA Plat Challenge and I amass say 20,000 eqp in the 3 month period.
Does that mean that I now need an additional 80,000 eqp to hit EXP or do I have to start from 0 again because the 20k was for the Plat Challenge ?

Thanks.

Sans a "Challenge", status is earned by the calendar year.

If your 20K EQP's was earned, say this Oct, then you have until Dec 31st to earn the remaining EQP's. Any EQP's earned this year prior to the (Jan onwards) would also be included. If the October EQP's were your first this year then you need to earn another 80K for EXP by end of December.

Say you started you three month challenge on Dec 16th and earned 5K by Dec 31 and the remaining 15K in Jan then you would need to earn another 85K before Dec 31 2015 for EXP.

 

[Nizar]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10Apri

Already answered last week: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-over-qantas-ff-there-54129-2.html#post905491
Sans a "Challenge", status is earned by the calendar year.

If your 20K EQP's was earned, say this Oct, then you have until Dec 31st to earn the remaining EQP's. Any EQP's earned this year prior to the (Jan onwards) would also be included. If the October EQP's were your first this year then you need to earn another 80K for EXP by end of December.

Say you started you three month challenge on Dec 16th and earned 5K by Dec 31 and the remaining 15K in Jan then you would need to earn another 85K before Dec 31 2015 for EXP.

Thanks serfty, appreciate that.
And yes you did answer that question last week on this very thread, sorry about that.

Re: challenge and EXP.
Just to make sure I understand this correctly.
If I start a three month Plat challenge on August 1st 2014 and by the end of August 2014 I am on 20k EQPs (by crediting MEL-LAX-NYC return in a 1:1 booking class) then I have until the end of the following year to earn an additional 80k. Seems doable.

Just to expand on the JASAs/FASAs not earning, is it possible to pay more so that the JASA/FASA books into a different booking class say D/I or A ?
Or maybe it doesn't work that way ? Or perhaps possible only at a huge cost ?

 

[serfty]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10Apri

...
Re: challenge and EXP.
Just to make sure I understand this correctly.
If I start a three month Plat challenge on August 1st 2014 and by the end of August 2014 I am on 20k EQPs (by crediting MEL-LAX-NYC return in a 1:1 booking class) then I have until the end of the following year to earn an additional 80k. Seems doable.
...

No!

In that scenario you would have until the end of December 2014 to garner the remaining 80K EQP's. (Any earned in 2014 before your challenge would also count toward the 100k).

...
Just to expand on the JASAs/FASAs not earning, is it possible to pay more so that the JASA/FASA books into a different booking class say D/I or A ?
Or maybe it doesn't work that way ? Or perhaps possible only at a huge cost ?

They would likely count, but in reality, the points cost would be horrendous.

---

The minimum EQM earn comes into it's own with status. FT has a wiki on it: Miles and Points (AA) - FlyerGuide Wiki

Here is one example:

LAX-SFO / L / PLT

• Discount Economy fare (L)
• 337 miles flown
• 500 EQM: 337 mi flown subject to 500 minimum EQM guarantee for elites only = 500 EQM
• 500 EQP: L fare = 1.0 EQP/EQM x 500 EQM = 500 EQP
• 1000 RDM: 337 mi flown subject to 500 minimum RDM guarantee for elites only = 500 RDM; 500 minimum mi flown x 100% PLT bonus = 500 Elite Bonus RDM; 500 + 500 = 1000 RDM
• View My Miles: Mileage = 337; Bonus = 663; Total = 1000

 

[casanovawa]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10Apri

Sheesh this all sounds complicated, at least QFs program seems relatively straight forward!!! :-|

 

[castie]

Could you do an AA challenge to get the corresponding QF Gold?
Flights can be on any one world carrier.

 

[Timsboot]

Re: How strictly does QF enforce the 4~ requirement for retention of status?

Ok thanks. I'm really interested in OW status, rather than points, so earn/burn rates aren't very important to me. So unless I can get to OW Sapphire with another airline I'll probably stick with QF.

I just completed the AA Plat challenge with only one J class return on QF (BKK-SYD). Cost is US$240 for the challenge but gets you OW Sapphire.

 

[Jack_OC]

Re: How strictly does QF enforce the 4~ requirement for retention of status?

Could you do an AA challenge to get the corresponding QF Gold?
Flights can be on any one world carrier.

I just completed the AA Plat challenge with only one J class return on QF (BKK-SYD). Cost is US$240 for the challenge but gets you OW Sapphire.

This could be a winner actually, if I'm understanding the rules correctly. So basically my next intl flight will be a J return to EU, booked with Finnair (ironically including two sectors on QF metal, but not QF codes!). That would seem to get more than enough miles to get AA Plat (= OW Sapphire), and is it correct that status would be valid until Feb 2016?? If so, I think that would be well worth $240.

Also maybe just consider how much retaining SG is worth to you (as the answer is going to be different for everyone). If you come to the conclusion that it is worthwhile, you could try and find some cheap QF domestic whY sectors out of your home city, with a connection one way and a direct back, hence getting you your 4 QF segments.

Yeah, I may consider that. There are two problems though - 1. finding the time to do it and 2. the cost is likely to be $300+, but obviously would only get me an additional year of status, so it doesn't seem like it would win over the AA option above. Wrt Gold being worth it or not - to be honest I'm not sure. When I travel internationally it's almost always in J (although funnily enough I'm sitting in a BA lounge right now before a flight in Y, courtesy of my QF status!). I haven't travelled a whole lot domestically recently, and when I do it's as likely to be with VA as QF (hence my lack of ~). However, a couple of years ago I went through a period where I was travelling domestically in Y with QF about twice a month, and the lounge access with SG status then was a Godsend. And the thing is, that could happen again, my work related travel is unpredictable. As such, I'm reluctant to let the status go, but on the other hand not really willing to spend a huge amount of time and/or money to retain it.

 

[samh004]

Re: How strictly does QF enforce the 4~ requirement for retention of status?

I just completed the AA Plat challenge with only one J class return on QF (BKK-SYD). Cost is US$240 for the challenge but gets you OW Sapphire.

As easy to retain though?

 

[Jack_OC]

Re: How strictly does QF enforce the 4~ requirement for retention of status?

As easy to retain though?

It's definitely harder to retain, but does that really matter in the short term? I could go back to crediting to QF to regain status there for when the AA status ends.

The expiry date of the AA status does affect the equation here though. Timsboot, can you confirm how long your AA Plat status is valid for? I read that it would be valid until next Feb + 2 years in the following blog: American Airlines Status Match (Challenge): Gold, Platinum & Executive Platinum | LoyaltyLobby "If you start the challenge after June 16 and successfully complete it, the status will be valid until the end of February + 2 years".

However, that conflicts with what I've read elsewhere - end of next Feb + 1 year, which would be consistent with normal AA status expiry.

If I got AA Plat status valid until Feb 2016, I wouldn't have to even think about retention during my next QFF year (Dec 2013-Nov 2014). After that, AFAIK I could go back to crediting to QF but still use AA for lounge access. Then I'd need to get 700 SCs with QF either between Dec 2014 and Nov 2015, or between Dec 2015 and Feb 2016 in order to ensure continuous status.

However, if the AA status expired in Feb 2015, it would mean I'd have to start trying to requalify with QF from Dec this year. Not sure that would make it a bad idea, but obviously it's not as good as the scenario above.

 

[legroom]

Re: How strictly does QF enforce the 4~ requirement for retention of status?

OFF TOPIC (on AA challenge)

If successful, it will give you OW Sapphire for 14-20 months max, not 2 years.

Starting now (Oct 2013), it will give you 2013 + 2014 + 2015 (Jan / Feb only).

...... Challenges begun before June 16 of a given year earn status for the remainder of that year and the first two months of the following year (8-14 months total); Challenges begun on or after June 16 grant status for the remainder of that year, the following year, and the first two months of the year after (14-20 months total).....

It's definitely harder to retain, but does that really matter in the short term? I could go back to crediting to QF to regain status there for when the AA status ends.

The expiry date of the AA status does affect the equation here though. Timsboot, can you confirm how long your AA Plat status is valid for? I read that it would be valid until next Feb + 2 years in the following blog: American Airlines Status Match (Challenge): Gold, Platinum & Executive Platinum | LoyaltyLobby "If you start the challenge after June 16 and successfully complete it, the status will be valid until the end of February + 2 years".

However, that conflicts with what I've read elsewhere - end of next Feb + 1 year, which would be consistent with normal AA status expiry.

If I got AA Plat status valid until Feb 2016, I wouldn't have to even think about retention during my next QFF year (Dec 2013-Nov 2014). After that, AFAIK I could go back to crediting to QF but still use AA for lounge access. Then I'd need to get 700 SCs with QF either between Dec 2014 and Nov 2015, or between Dec 2015 and Feb 2016 in order to ensure continuous status.

However, if the AA status expired in Feb 2015, it would mean I'd have to start trying to requalify with QF from Dec this year. Not sure that would make it a bad idea, but obviously it's not as good as the scenario above.

 

[Jack_OC]

Re: How strictly does QF enforce the 4~ requirement for retention of status?

OFF TOPIC (on AA challenge)

If successful, it will give you OW Sapphire for 14-20 months max, not 2 years.

Starting now (Oct 2013), it will give you 2013 + 2014 + 2015 (Jan / Feb only).

...... Challenges begun before June 16 of a given year earn status for the remainder of that year and the first two months of the following year (8-14 months total); Challenges begun on or after June 16 grant status for the remainder of that year, the following year, and the first two months of the year after (14-20 months total).....

Yeah I read that, but as I said the blog I linked to said otherwise. I suspect it's wrong though.

 

[markis10]

Re: How strictly does QF enforce the 4~ requirement for retention of status?

I just completed the AA Plat challenge with only one J class return on QF (BKK-SYD). Cost is US$240 for the challenge but gets you OW Sapphire.

How did you get 20000 EQPs from that, 4674 x 1.5 x 2 would seem to be short?

 

[legroom]

Re: How strictly does QF enforce the 4~ requirement for retention of status?

Off topic

IIRC, you only need 10,000 EQPs for a Plat challenge.

How did you get 20000 EQPs from that, 4674 x 1.5 x 2 would seem to be short?

 

[serfty]

Re: How strictly does QF enforce the 4~ requirement for retention of status?

Off topic

IIRC, you only need 10,000 EQPs for a Plat challenge.

and 5000 for the Gold Challenge ...

 

[markis10]

Re: How strictly does QF enforce the 4~ requirement for retention of status?

Off topic

IIRC, you only need 10,000 EQPs for a Plat challenge.

Ahh, the blog said "Platinum challenge requires 20,000 EQP’s during the three month period and a fee of $200 to $250."

10000 could be easily achieved in PE ex SIN for $1200.

 

[Timsboot]

Re: How strictly does QF enforce the 4~ requirement for retention of status?

This could be a winner actually, if I'm understanding the rules correctly. So basically my next intl flight will be a J return to EU, booked with Finnair (ironically including two sectors on QF metal, but not QF codes!). That would seem to get more than enough miles to get AA Plat (= OW Sapphire), and is it correct that status would be valid until Feb 2016?? If so, I think that would be well worth $240.

Jack - not sure Finnair counts. You will need to do the research but not all OW airlines are in the challenge

 

[serfty]

Re: How strictly does QF enforce the 4~ requirement for retention of status?

Jack - not sure Finnair counts. You will need to do the research but not all OW airlines are in the challenge

For more on that (BA, AA, QF, IB & JL being eligible for the challenge) see this thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-platinum-challenge-mileage-earning-8595.html

 

[Timsboot]

Re: How strictly does QF enforce the 4~ requirement for retention of status?

Ahh, the blog said "Platinum challenge requires 20,000 EQP’s during the three month period and a fee of $200 to $250."

10000 could be easily achieved in PE ex SIN for $1200.

I was surprised how easy it was. I spent time on this forum and others looking and the right time to start the challenge and trying to line up a series of different OW flights. Then - boom - one return J ticket and it was done.

Also surprised how easy it was to get a boarding pass in Sydney on a NB AA frequent flyer card number but still use the first class lounge with my QF WP card

 

[almelb]

Re: How strictly does QF enforce the 4~ requirement for retention of status?

Hi all,

I have a couple of questions please. My apologies in advance if these questions have been answered earlier in the thread, I must have missed it.

The first question: Can someone confirm SYD-SIN-SYD in QF Premium Economy, booking class T, does yield enough miles to satisfy the AA platinum challenge?
The return distance according to great circle mapper is 7,814 miles, so based on the AA website (American Airlines oneworld Partner), this trip will yield 7,814 miles * 1.5 = 11,721 elite qualifying points.


The second question: If the AA platinum challenge is successfully completed in November 2013, does that mean one has until February 2015 to obtain the necessary 50,000 elite qualifying points or miles to re-qualify for AA Platinum?

Cheers

 

[NM]

Re: How strictly does QF enforce the 4~ requirement for retention of status?

The first question: Can someone confirm SYD-SIN-SYD in QF Premium Economy, booking class T, does yield enough miles to satisfy the AA platinum challenge?
The return distance according to great circle mapper is 7,814 miles, so based on the AA website (American Airlines oneworld Partner), this trip will yield 7,814 miles * 1.5 = 11,721 elite qualifying points.

Those numbers look correct.

The second question: If the AA platinum challenge is successfully completed in November 2013, does that mean one has until February 2015 to obtain the necessary 50,000 elite qualifying points or miles to re-qualify for AA Platinum?

Incorrect. AAdvantage uses the calendar year for elite status qualification. So you have from 1st Jan 2014 until 31 Dec 2014 to earn the 50K points/miles to re-qualify. However, the status earned during 2013 (in your example earned using Platinum Challenge) will remain valid until the end of Feb 2015.