American Airlines Offering Status Challenge Based On Earning Loyalty Points

The new status challenge is called Instant Status Pass. It gives AAdvantage members status for four months, with the ability to maintain or upgrade that status by earning enough Loyalty Points within that first four months, then the ability to maintain it for two more sets of four months and beyond.

The Deal

• Get instant elite status with American Airlines for four months. Then:
  • Phase 1 – Earn sufficient Loyalty Points to maintain status or earn a higher status level during that initial four months for a further four months
  • Phase 2 – Earn sufficient Loyalty Points to maintain status for another four months
  • Phase 3 – Earn sufficient Loyalty Points to maintain status through the end of the membership year
• Direct link to offer (online is targeted)

Key Terms

• Enrollment required. Enroll online in your AAdvantage Promotions tab or call 1-800-882-8880.

Quick Thoughts

It isn't the most straightforward status challenge we've ever seen, but it could still be worth it if you start from scratch. If you have travel planned on American Airlines in the next four months, you will be able to take AAdvantage on those flights. Although some people will be able to register for free, others will have to pay a fee to do so.

One person shared that when they called American Airlines to register, they were told the fees were as follows. I am not sure if the charges are standardized across all AAdvantage members or if they vary from person to person. You can pay the fee in miles, but it is not worth it because you will get the best value, which is 1cpp for Gold status.

• Gold – $200 or 20,000 miles
• Platinum – $450 or 50,000 miles
• Platinum Pro – $700 or 80,000 miles
• Executive Platinum – $975 or 120,000 miles

You will get elite status for four months after you register for the status challenge. During Phase 1, you will have four months to earn enough Loyalty Points to either maintain that initial level of status, or earn a higher level. You need to earn enough Loyalty Points in Phase 1 to get a higher status level for the next four months.

• Gold – 10,000 Loyalty Points
• Platinum – 25,000 Loyalty Points
• Platinum Pro – 42,000 Loyalty Points
• Executive Platinum – 67,000 Loyalty Points

The 12 month earning requirement is a third of those requirements. The status challenge doesn't give preferential treatment on that front, but it does mean you get to enjoy elite benefits sooner than you normally would

If you earn enough Loyalty Points in Phase 1 you will be unlocked Phase 2. During Phase 2, you will get four months to accumulate Loyalty Points. You can keep your status through the end of the membership year if you earn enough loyalty points.

We don't know how many Loyalty Points will be required during the second and third phases. I think it will be the same or similar to the number of Loyalty Points required during Phase 1. For all we know, they could increase the number of Loyalty Points needed which would be a bit bait and switch for Phases 2 and 3. They are not sharing what the Phase 2 and 3 requirements will be because they think we will be pleasantly surprised.

This isn't the most simple status challenge ever created. The fact that status can be maintained/earned without taking a single flight is a nice benefit. If you put enough spend on an American Airlines credit card to earn enough Loyalty Points, your credit limit and willingness to let you cycle your credit may affect that ability. $2,500 spent on an AA card each month will earn you enough Loyalty Points to maintain Gold status through all three phases.

If you don't fly with American Airlines in the near term, you won't be able to register for the status challenge, even if you pay a fee You would be better off taking advantage of the various Loyalty Points-earning opportunities so that you will have status by the time you fly with American Airlines. If you do register for the status challenge, you can get some tips on how to earn more Loyalty Points by doing certain things.

There is a view from the wing.