As a frequent business traveler for the past five years, I’ve come to learn many of the tips and tricks of the frequent flier world. My favorite is this undocumented jewel at American Airlines — the AA Gold/Platinum challenge.
The Basics
If you’re just starting out with American and don’t want to wait a full year to earn Gold (or even Platinum) status, you’re in luck. Just call 1-800-882-8880 (AAdvantage desk) and ask for customer service. Tell the agent you would like to sign up for the Gold/Platinum Challenge and specify the start date.
There’s a good deal of fine print and typical airline restrictions, but basically you have to fly a minimum of 5,000 miles in a 90 day window to earn Gold status; or 10,000 miles in a 90 day window for Platinum status.
Benefits
Aadvantage Gold status comes with several nice perks and Platinum even more. The best benefits in my opinion are:
- Priority check-in – Check in at any AA Business Class check-in position, even when flying in economy class. You can also bypass the long TSA security lines at airports that offer a “first class” line.
- Priority seating – On AA flights, elites have access to seats blocked off as “premium” seating (e.g. bulkhead, exit rows). On flights that are non-completely full, the middle seat next to your chosen aisle or window is also blocked off.
- Priority standby and waitlisting – Priority ahead of regular AAdvantage members for standby and waitlisting.
- Elite status bonus – Earn a 25% bonus (100% for Platinums!) on base miles flown on AA, Eagle, and oneworld alliance partners.
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Tags: airline deals, Tips and Tricks