Note: American Airlines has suspended its status challenge. A new status challenge will be rolled out in early 2022 and we will update this article when the new program is announced.
Ah, the joys of airline elite status. Who doesn’t enjoy the benefits of complimentary upgrades, free checked bags, early boarding, fee waivers, and priority assistance when things go wrong?
But what if you need or want to change airlines? No one looks forward to giving up that VIP treatment and starting over again from scratch with a new airline.
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.
You don’t even need elite status with another airline to participate in American’s status challenge — it’s a “pay to play” shortcut offered to meet qualifications for its AAdvantage Gold or Platinum status levels.
Unlike other airlines that offer status matches, American does not publish the specific requirements for these challenges. In fact, different flyers may even receive different offers.
To help you sift through the maze of the American AAdvantage status challenge, in this article we’ll provide you with an overview of the challenge, how much you should be paying, tips on how to complete the challenge, and just about everything else you need to know.
Let’s get started and see if an American Airlines status challenge is right for you.
What Is a Status Match/Challenge and How Does It Work?
If you have elite status with an airline, you can request that another airline you don’t have status with match your current status for a limited period of time.
Most airlines, like Alaska, Delta, and United, will match your current status and then require you to complete a “challenge.” This challenge consists 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.
American Airlines does not status match at all — it offers only a status challenge. And it requires you to pay a fee upfront for participating in that status challenge.
You might wonder who would pay for such an opportunity. But because the challenge offers immediate status (for a price), anyone who has American Airlines flights coming up might want to make their travels a bit more comfortable and ante up.
Think about it this way: for the cost of 1 trip, a traveler may be able to parlay the challenge into a year or more of elite status while they work on qualifying for future status.
Let’s learn more about how the AAdvantage status challenge program works.
Hot Tip: For more clarification on this general topic, you can check out our piece — The Ultimate Guide to Airline Status Matches/Challenges.
American Airlines AAdvantage Status Challenge Program
Having airline status can result in a seat with a little more legroom. Image Credit: American Airlines
Who Is Eligible for an American Airlines AAdvantage Status Challenge?
Anyone who wants to obtain status with American Airlines can request to participate in a status challenge. Having status with another airline’s frequent flyer program or having upcoming flights booked with American is not required.
In order to participate in a status challenge with American, you cannot currently hold status you’ve earned from a previous AAdvantage challenge.
For example, if you completed a Gold status challenge last year and are still holding Gold status as a result of completing that challenge, you cannot participate in another challenge. The status must be expired.
What Are the Advantages of Gold or Platinum Status?
If you have upcoming trips planned on American, signing up for a status challenge can make sense, since you’ll receive plenty of benefits:
- Oneworld business class lounge access internationally
- Award processing charge waived
- Complimentary same-day standby
- Complimentary upgrades on flights 500 miles or less
- 48-hour upgrade window
- 60% elite mileage bonus
- Complimentary Main Cabin Extra and Preferred seats
- 2 free checked bags
- Award processing charge waived
- Complimentary same-day standby
- Complimentary upgrades on flights 500 miles or less
- 24-hour upgrade window
- 40% elite mileage bonus
- Complimentary Preferred seats
- 1 free checked bag
Additional benefits include priority airport check-in and security, priority boarding, and discounted Admirals Club membership.
How the American Airlines Advantage Status Challenge Works
American Airlines does not publish a formal status challenge program. With that said, we know a lot about the program from data points of flyers who have requested and/or completed a status challenge.
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.
Subsequently, you’ll need to fly the required number of Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) or Elite Qualifying Segments (EQSs) and generate Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) within a 90-day period.
We’ll dive further into how to generate these EQMs, EQSs, and EQDs shortly, but here’s an overview of the program:
Elite Status Challenge Level |
Cost To Participate |
Cost With Gold Status |
Cost With Platinum Status |
EQM or EQS Requirement |
EQD Requirement |
Gold |
$100 to $180 |
$280 to $340 |
———— |
7,000 EQMs or 8 EQSs |
$1,000 EQD |
Platinum |
$180 to $240 |
$380 to $440 |
$480-$540 |
12,500 EQMs or 16 EQSs |
$2,000 EQD |
The price you pay for the challenge will depend on when you request the challenge and whether you want to have elite status while you are completing it.
This information was gathered by searching through hundreds of posts on FlyerTalk (kudos to JDiver), reviewing posts on the Australian Frequent Flyer, calling American Airlines AAdvantage customer service, and gathering information from those we know who have completed American status challenges.
Bottom Line: While we know the general parameters of the status challenge with American Airlines, you’ll need to contact AAdvantage customer service to confirm your personal offer.
How and When To Submit a Status Challenge Request
How To Complete a Status Challenge Request
You can send an email to request a status challenge with American Airlines, but we recommend calling AAdvantage customer service at 800-882-8880.
Have your AAdvantage frequent flyer number and any record locators for upcoming trips with American on hand, as you will be asked for this information.
The representative will answer your questions, let you know which challenge you’re eligible for, inform you of the cost, and then sign you up for the appropriate status challenge.
You will have 90 days to complete the requirements of the challenge for which you have registered.
The customer service representative will also send you a confirmation email reiterating all of the terms/conditions of the status challenge.
Hot Tip: American has revamped elite status qualification for 2022 and introduced Loyalty Points. You’ll want to review these changes prior to considering a status challenge.
The Importance of Timing
If you have upcoming American or American partner airline flights booked, you will of course want to sign up for the status challenge before you fly.
However, the timing of your status challenge will determine the length of your granted status — so choosing to complete your challenge at certain times of the year can maximize this period.
Here’s how it has been known to work:
- Challenges that begin prior to June 15 normally earn status through the end of the current status year, which is January 31 of the following year.
- For example, if you complete a challenge in May 2022, your status will continue through January 31, 2023.
- If you complete a status challenge after June 15, your status could be valid for the remainder of the year and throughout the next year.
- For example, if you sign up and complete a challenge in July 2022, your status would normally continue through January 31, 2024.
Keep in mind that there are no publicly published status challenge guidelines. As a result, this information has been derived from actual travelers who have been offered and have completed American Airlines AAdvantage status challenges.
Although these status periods are in alignment with other airlines’ status matches/challenges, your actual status challenge offer could vary.
Bottom Line: Completing your challenge as soon as possible after June 15 should result in having granted status for the longest period of time.
Completing the Flying and Revenue Requirements
So you’ve signed up for a status challenge, and now you’re ready to complete the flying and revenue requirements.
Let’s take a look at those flying and revenue levels you’ll need to meet, the parameters you’ll need to work within, and how to accomplish the task effectively.
Status Challenge |
Flying Requirements |
EQD Revenue Requirements |
AAdvantage Gold |
7,000 EQMs or 8 EQSs |
$1,000 |
AAdvantage Platinum |
12,500 EQMs or 16 EQSs |
$2,000 |
Here are some of the guidelines you’ll need to work with.
First, flights must be marketed by American or partner airlines including: American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, and Qantas Airways.
EQMs are calculated based on a combination of miles flown and the fare class you purchase. On American-marketed flights, they’re calculated like this:
- Full first and business class tickets earn 3 EQMs per mile flown
- Discounted first/business fare tickets earn 2 EQMs per mile flown
- Full fare economy earns 1.5 EQMs per mile flown
- Discounted economy earns 1 EQM per mile flown
On flights marketed by the American-eligible partner airlines listed above, EQMs may earn more or less depending on the fare class.
Flights marketed on American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas Airways count towards the challenge.
You can determine how many EQMs you’ll receive by referencing the applicable partner airline charts on AA.com.
EQDs you earn are calculated differently on AA-marketed flights than on partner airline flights:
- On American-marketed flights, the EQDs are calculated on the base fare plus the carrier-imposed fees. Government imposed taxes/fees are not included.
- On other eligible airline flights, the EQDs are calculated on a percentage of miles flown and fare class purchased.
When you book a flight on aa.com, you’ll be able to see the amount of EQMs, EQSs, and EQDs you’ll earn displayed on the review and pay page. You’ll need to be signed in to your account to view these stats.
For all other eligible airlines, you can determine the amount of EQMs, EQSs, and EQDs you’ll earn by referencing the corresponding charts.
The calculations may seem confusing, but we’ll share some examples below in an attempt to clarify the process.
Hot Tip: Premium fare flights on partner airlines can generate more EQMs and EQDs than American Airlines-marketed flights due to the difference in calculation methods. Discounted economy fares on partner airlines can yield fewer EQMs and EQDs than American Airlines-marketed flights.
Creating an AAdvantage Status Challenge Itinerary
Since premium fares on partner airlines can yield more EQMs and EQDs, let’s take a look at 2 possible challenge itineraries that will fulfill the requirements of the status challenges in just 1 flight.
AAdvantage Gold Challenge Example: 7,000 EQMs and $1,000 EQDs Needed
Flying British Airways from Chicago (ORD) to London (LGW) round-trip in Premium Economy results in 7,948 miles flown.
At a factor of 1.50, this results in 11,922 EQMs and $1,590 EQDs (20% of flown miles). This is more than enough to accomplish the Gold challenge.
The British Airways partner flight chart on aa.com indicates that the premium economy flight in our example will earn 1.50 EQMs per mile flown and 20% EQDs. Image Credit: American Airlines
AAdvantage Platinum Status Challenge Example: 12,500 EQMs and $2,000 EQDs Needed
Let’s take a look at an example of a flight booked to complete the Platinum challenge.
We’ll look at how many EQMs/EQDs you’ll earn, and how to calculate whether the itinerary would exceed the Platinum challenge requirements.
The flight is booked on Japan Airlines in Premium Economy fare class E flying round trip from Chicago (ORD) to Toyko (HND).
The Japan Airlines chart found on aa.com, states that you will earn 1.50 EQMs per mile flown, and the EQDs will be calculated at 20% of the miles flown.
The flight miles flown will be 12,540 miles round-trip. According to the chart, you will receive 1.50 EQMs for a total of 18,810 EQMs towards the challenge.
The EQDs are calculated at 20% of miles flown for this partner airline. At 12,540 miles flown, this works out to a total of $2508 EQDs.
This flight would be more than enough to complete the Platinum status challenge!
Hot Tip: To calculate the amount of flown miles for any flight itinerary, you can use a tool such as Milecalc.com. For partner flights, you can then calculate the EQMs and EQDs you’ll earn by referring to the partner charts on aa.com and using the corresponding factors/percentages.
Enhancing Your New Elite Status
Complimentary Admirals Club lounge access can be a lifesaver during a hectic trip. Image Credit: American Airlines
Once you’ve completed your status challenge and continue to fly on American Airlines, you may want to elevate your elite status to an even higher level with an American Airlines AAdvantage-branded credit card.
With the Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, you’ll enjoy VIP treatment, including:
- A free checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions on domestic itineraries
- Priority check-in, boarding, and security screening for the primary cardholder
- $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every 5 years
- 25% off inflight food/beverage purchases
Hot Tip: You can see the best benefits of this card in our AAdvantage Executive World Elite card benefits deep dive.
AAdvantage frequent flyer miles add up quickly because of the generous sign-up bonus and the fact you’ll be earning double miles on American Airlines purchases.
This Citi card serves as a perfect compliment to having elite status, but you’ll want to review all the best American Airlines AAdvantage branded credit cards to see which is a fit for you.
Bottom Line: If you travel frequently on American Airlines and want valuable perks and lounge access, the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card is an obvious choice for benefits far beyond elite status.
Everything Else You Need To Know
Here are a few more details to be aware of before you get started on your status challenge:
- There are no refunds once you’ve paid for an AAdvantage status challenge.
- If you sign up for a Gold status challenge and complete Platinum level requirements, you can pay an extra $125 to convert your Gold challenge to a Platinum challenge.
- It is possible to back-date the start of the challenge up to 5 days.
- AAdvantage customer service is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST time Monday through Friday and can be reached at 888-697-5636.
- The American Airlines AAdvantage status challenge in this article is different from other challenge offers elite frequent flyers may receive at year-end — and it’s also different from challenge offers received by those holding certain credit cards.
- American Airlines AAdvantage partners with the World of Hyatt hotel loyalty program, offering targeted AAdvantage elite status challenges to Hyatt elite members. Check your email or call AAdvantage/World of Hyatt to find out if you have been targeted.
Final Thoughts
Before you jump into a status challenge, you’ll want to make sure the cost is worth it. There are some cases where it may make sense, including if:
- You have upcoming flights with American Airlines and would like to enjoy better seating, priority boarding, free checked bags, etc.
- You are switching airlines and plan to continue earning status in subsequent years.
If you do plan to continue flying with American Airlines and go on to qualify for elite status, you’ll want to review the annual requirements.