Finally teh PLatinum challenge commences

[simongr]

Well I have been talking about it for (what seems like) ages but this morning I phoned the nice lady in the US and on Sep 1 2006 I begin my platinum challenge! She was very helpful and almost seemed excited for me

Its actually going to take a little while time wise from the start of the challeneg - but that kind of makes this a little more fun for me - It would be a bit sad to just get it on my business class return flight to Singapore in November

The itinerary is:

DateFromToFlight numClassComment
10-Sep SYD AKL QF43 Econ May upgrade to Bus using QFF points
22-Sep AKL SYD QF120 EconMay upgrade to Bus using QFF points
23-Sep SYD BNE QF175 Discounted Econ
24-Sep BNE SYD QF559 Discounted Econ
27-Oct SYD BKK BA10 BA World Traveller +
3-Nov BKK SYD BA9 BA World Traveller +
7-Nov SYD SIN QF5 Business
17-Nov SIN SYD QF6 Business


I will update the thread as I move on towards the candy theft goal

Cheers

S

 

[Dave Noble]

If you are in K class or higher to AKL and back, then you will complete the challenge on the SYD-BKK flight. If you are in a lower class and your upgrades clear, then you may ( if lucky ) get business class qpoints for those sectors which again would ensure your completion on SYD-BKK. If neither of the above, then the BKK-SYD should complete the challenge

Dave

 

[simongr]

I had forecast completing the challenge on the SYD-BKK flight as that was world traveller + (hopefully) and should 1.5 points per mile. I had estimated as follows:

[LEFT][LEFT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000]Date         From         To             Flight num    Class                        Miles          Qpoint rate        Qpoints             coughulative Qpoints[/COLOR][/FONT][/LEFT]
[LEFT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000]10-Sep      SYD         AKL          QF43           Econ                         1345           1.50                       2,018                   2,018 [/COLOR][/FONT][/LEFT]
[LEFT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000]22-Sep      AKL          SYD         QF120         Econ                         1345           1.50                       2,018                   4,035 [/COLOR][/FONT][/LEFT]
[LEFT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000]23-Sep      SYD         BNE         QF175         Discounted Econ       467             0.25                         500                    4,535 [/COLOR][/FONT][/LEFT]
[LEFT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000]24-Sep      BNE         SYD         QF559         Discounted Econ       467             0.25                         500                    5,035 [/COLOR][/FONT][/LEFT]
[LEFT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000]27-Oct      SYD         BKK         BA10           BA World Traveller +  4680           1.50                       7,020                 12,055 [/COLOR][/FONT][/LEFT]
[LEFT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000]3-Nov        BKK         SYD         BA9             BA World Traveller +  4680           1.50                       7,020                 19,075 [/COLOR][/FONT][/LEFT]
[LEFT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000]7-Nov        SYD         SIN           QF5             Business                   3907           1.50                       5,861                 24,936 [/COLOR][/FONT][/LEFT]
[LEFT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000]17-Nov      SIN           SYD         QF6             Business                   3907           1.50                       5,861                 30,796 [/COLOR][/FONT][/LEFT][/LEFT]

 

[NM]

Sounds like a great plan, simongr. I look forward to following the candy theft progress.

 

[Dave Noble]

Assuming that the SYD-AKL-SYD is booked in either of Y or B classes, then it will earn 1.5 qpoints per mile flown.

WT+ does indeed earn 1.5 qpoints per mile plus also earns a 10% mileage bonus

Enjoy your candy

Dave

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Depending on how early you check in 22nd Sept we could meet in the QP (my flight is earlier than yours).

 

[simongr]

Once the flights are booked I will advise the QP time Still waiting for the approval forms to be signed before I can formally book (even though my other boss in NY has told me to go....)

I always like to have plenty of time for the QP so I can relax and relfect on the job just completed so I am more relaxed when I get home

 

[simongr]

Re: Finally the PLatinum challenge commences

Grr - no flights as yet but already both my QF flights have been logged as QFF number not AAdvantage - arrgh...

Looks like a couple of calls to Qantas

At least if they book it to qantas first I can then find out the AMADEUS reference, mess around with the booking and then convert to AA....

S

 

[simongr]

Well the challenge started on Sunday with my SYD-AKL flight. I had my AA number on checkmytrip and my boarding card - no QF number present. Now just wondering when those points will credit to AA. Not sure what the timeline is for nonAA flights to credit to AA. Any hints?

S

 

[NM]

Well the challenge started on Sunday with my SYD-AKL flight. I had my AA number on checkmytrip and my boarding card - no QF number present. Now just wondering when those points will credit to AA. Not sure what the timeline is for nonAA flights to credit to AA. Any hints?

S

In my experience, QF flights post to AAdvantage within about 48 hours.

 

[simongr]

Well - the flight didnt even take off 48 hours ago so I guess I will wait until this evening

 

[NM]

Well - the flight didnt even take off 48 hours ago so I guess I will wait until this evening

If it does not post, you will have to wait the usual 15 days minimum before using the "Request Mileage Credit" feature on the aa.com web site.

 

[simongr]

Well the points are in and reading my AA statement on line I wouldnt mind a check of the correctness. I flew discount economy paid tix on QF to AKL from SYD. I upgraded from Y to J on QF points. So I just want to check that I got all I could:
Mile Bonus
09/10/06 QANTAS AIRWAYS 43 J SYD AKL 1,345 336 1,681

And on Q points:

YTD Elite Qualifying Points:1,345

Cheers

S

 

[Dave Noble]

What booking class were you in?

If it was in K or H class, then it is dead on since you should earn 1 qpoint per mile flown; SYD-AKL is 1345 miles

It does look like they have credited you the miles as for business class looking at the 336 bonus

Dave

 

[simongr]

It was K booking class - KIPOX on the itinerary.

 

[Dave Noble]

It was K booking class - KIPOX on the itinerary.

In which case, the qpoints are quite correct
Dave

 

[NM]

Re: Finally the Platinum challenge commences

It does look like they have credited you the miles as for business class looking at the 336 bonus

Dave

Its interesting that their system recognises the J travel class and posts miles accordingly, but recognises the K paid class and posts the EQP accordingly. I really would have expected both to post of K or J, not one of each. Oh well, the EQP posted is correct for the fare paid, so no complaints due. The extra miles are a bonus .

 

[simongr]

Not complaining about bonus miles Just need to be careful to make sure my AA points get credited for my cheap flights to BNE to make sure I hit plat on my way to BKK rather than on the way back.

Still need to call them abotu an exec plat challenge as I now might be flying to JFK this calendar year on toip of my otehr travel - that would be 50K Qpoints in 3.5 months...

 

[NM]

Still need to call them abotu an exec plat challenge as I now might be flying to JFK this calendar year on toip of my otehr travel - that would be 50K Qpoints in 3.5 months...

By all means ask, but I expect their response will be something like this: "Certainly sir. You challenge target will be to collect 100,000 qpoints before the end of the year. If you can complete this challenge we will give you EXP status and all its associated benefits".

Getting the 50,000 qpoints before the end of the year will ensure renewal of Platinum status until the end of Feb 2008.

 

[simongr]

I know its unlikely but I have to try - by getting 50K qpoints this calendar year - my flights might be cut back a bit next year and I mithg have a few non-oneworld flights - so probably only 50K qpoints next year . Exec plat this year would mean I would be Plat until 2009 - which would be handy