AA Platinum Challenge - Tips

[Dave Noble]

See here for more information:

Indeed.. Plus that was explained in post #1 of this thread where qpoint earning is described

Dave

 

[NM]

Indeed.. Plus that was explained in post #1 of this thread where qpoint earning is described

Dave

Which is precisely where I went to check.

 

[serfty]

Indeed.. Plus that was explained in post #1 of this thread where qpoint earning is described

Dave

Which is precisely where I went to check.

As did I, but it was not obvious how 0.25, so I illuminated on that a bit ....

 

[Dave Noble]

Which is precisely where I went to check.

As did I, but it was not obvious how 0.25, so I illuminated on that a bit .... [/quote]

Apart for the bit where it says

Qantas Airways

1.5 - B Y

1.0 - H K W

0.5 - M V L R

0.25 - G O S

perhaps

Dave

 

[serfty]

Which is precisely where I went to check.

As did I, but it was not obvious how 0.25, so I illuminated on that a bit ....

Apart for the bit where it says

Qantas Airways

1.5 - B Y

1.0 - H K W

0.5 - M V L R

0.25 - G O S

perhaps

Dave

No Dave, you're looking at a different aspect. The 0.25 is obvious as you have posted and is absolutely correct.

What is not obvious is how the 0.25 was actually arrived at when the AA tables only mention 0.5 for O class. This was what I was explaining.

 

[QF WP]

Good to see that three of us answered the question at the same time (working on formulating the answer and posting same within 13 minutes of one another) and all came up with the same answer. That's what I call consistency and means that matau can be confident in the answers received.

 

[Dave Noble]

That's what I call consistency and means that matau can be confident in the answers received.

Whereas I thought it just meant that someone couldn't read

Dave

 

[burmans]

Exchange upgrades for miles

Hi all,

Have been looking at the AA site and trying to work out if worth me joning. One area that concerned me is that I'm not unlikely to near the US in next couple of years but appeared this is no impediment to getting AA plat and using flights.

So far so good, but was a bit concerned about the fact that AA seems to offer a heap of upgrades but they are all US domestic and hence I'd never get to used. Then I was scanning Fewmiles site

http://members.shaw.ca/fewmiles/AA/index2.html

and noticed the section on

Miles-for-upgrades exchange This is an undocumented AAdvantage feature

The basic premise is this: exchange the four earned electronic upgrades you get for each 10k Q-miles flown for an additional 10,000 miles.

Anyone here actually tried this? This would seem to make AA program well better than QF!

 

[Dave Noble]

I would tend to steer clear of that site, it is so out of date.

It is possible to still exchange the upgrades, but at a rate of 500 miles per upgrade, so 4 upgrades now convert to 2000 miles

Not flying AA is no impediment to getting status with AA nor in redeeming awards on QF et al

Dave

 

[burmans]

Thanks, so that is still a bonus I should take into account in valuing points accrual, I note it's dependant on q-points not miles but potentially this could mean getting 12000 miles rather than 10000 so a 20% potential bonus (dependant on class of travel etc.).

 

[Dave Noble]

Thanks, so that is still a bonus I should take into account in valuing points accrual, I note it's dependant on q-points not miles but potentially this could mean getting 12000 miles rather than 10000 so a 20% potential bonus (dependant on class of travel etc.).

No, upgrade credits are accrued on base miles. e.g. do BA WT+ SYD-LHR is approx 10,500 miles.

Base mileage earning is 10,500
WT+ bonus is 1050
Platinum bonus is 10,500

Qpoint earning is 15,750

The 10,500 base miles will count towards "miles towards upgrades" and so you would earn 4 upgrade credits. These can be used to upgrade domestic north america flights ( which is the best use imo when travelling on an economy ATW ticket ) or converted to 2,000 miles

Dave

 

[JamesF]

Thanks

Hi all,

Just a quick note to say thanks for the helpful advice. My wife and I are now newly minted plats, and the double points on the LAX-SYD qualifying flight were very nice. Looking forward to some 20K reward flights to PER and NZ.

Now just have convince my new company here in Aus that I should fly QF instead of DJ.....

Anyway, thanks again for the help. I've never actually stolen candy from a baby, but it cant be too much easier than completing the plat challenge!

cheers
James

 

[QF WP]

JamesF, that's what we love to hear...our planning does work for other members.

Great to see that you and your wife can now stroll into the QC's, check in at Business Class and get some cheaper award flights (both points and fuel fines (aka surcharges)).

Now, do you need any help to lean on your company :wink:

 

[v8Statesman]

Hello all. I have read through this thread and I can not see any mention of :-

Status: Confirmed
Class: Business (C)
Flight Duration: 7h 55m

Does this mean that this fare code is invalid for this challenge.

 

[Dave Noble]

Hello all. I have read through this thread and I can not see any mention of :-

Status: Confirmed
Class: Business (C)
Flight Duration: 7h 55m

Does this mean that this fare code is invalid for this challenge.

As far as I am aware, all paid business and first class fares on One World flights are eligable for 1.5 qpoints per mile flown and so I did not break them down to the level that I did for economy fares. Just go to www.aa.com and check on the aadvantage earning for the carrier you are flying to be 100% certain

Dave

 

[QF WP]

If you are talking about C class on QF, then yes it's a valid/eligible fare - see the QF Earning Table

 

[madmat777]

Hi All,

I've signed up for the challenge. Tickets are booked and CheckMyTrip is showing the AA FF # on the booking.

I'm travelling

SYD to SIN on BA class T (WT+)
SIN to FRA on QF class L (hoping for an upgrade)
FRA to LHR on BA class L
LHR to JFK on BA class T
JFK to Lax on AA class L

My question is, should I get a SWU (system wide upagrade) on the JFK to LAX sector? Is that automatic as I should have reached the Plat level by the time I reach LHR. (I also have 6 other internal European flights).

Does this also mean that I will be permitted into the AA lounges for my 4 internal US flights?

Appreciate any advice.

 

[Dave Noble]

I presume that you already have some qpoints since the trip to london will not make the 10,000 needed.

SYD-SIN-FRA will earn 9058 qpoints
FRA-LHR will likely earn 125 points bringing it to 9183

To attain platinum prior to the LHR-JFK flight you need to fly 3268 miles within Europe

If you are platinum by this time, then you can request an upgrade on the JFK-LAX using electronic upgrade credits which will cost you USD125 should it clear

You do not earn any systemwide upgrades as a platinum member; unless you have obtrained one from someone else you cannot use one ( and if you have, you are wasting it by not using it to upgrade to AA business class LHR-JFK rather than paying to go BA WT+ )

Dave

 

[madmat777]

Thanks Dave,

I have 3326 miles in Europe. But 900 is not on One World :evil:

But by the time i hit JFK I'll have Platnium.

 

[Dave Noble]

Thanks Dave,

I have 3326 miles in Europe. But 900 is not on One World :evil:

But by the time i hit JFK I'll have Platnium.

No you wont . LHR-JFK is on BA and earns zero miles

Dave