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AA Offering Executive Platinum Status Match/Challenge to United 1Ks

Jan. 14, 2016
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3 min read
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AA Offering Executive Platinum Status Match/Challenge to United 1Ks
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Last week, we wrote about American's challenge for Gold and Platinum status, which requires a small cash co-pay, but is available even if you don't currently hold status with any other airline. Now, TPG reader Tony K. has shared a new opportunity to jump up to AA's top-tier Executive Platinum status, though you will need to have United 1K status (not Delta Diamond or status from any other airline) in order to participate.

If you're eligible, you'll receive Executive Platinum status instantly, and you'll have 90 days to earn 35,000 elite-qualifying miles (EQMs) on flights marketed and operated by AA, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines or Qantas in order to keep the status active through February 2017. Only EQMs earned from miles flown and fare-class bonuses will count, but thanks to AA's new earning scheme, EQMs are easier to earn than they have been in years past, particularly for bookings in business and first.

New York to Hong Kong for $4,380 in business class.

For example, the roughly 16,000-mile journey from Dallas to Hong Kong and back will earn more than 32,000 EQMs if booked in discounted business or first, or 48,000 EQMs on full-fare premium tickets. Unfortunately AA's new LAX-Sydney flight will come up a hair short, but you can add on something like SFO-LAX or SYD-MEL to bring you into qualification territory.

If you're looking to do this with a single trip, consider the routing above — New York to Dallas to Hong Kong and back in business class on the 777-300ER for $4,379 round-trip. You can earn Executive Platinum less expensively with flights booked in economy, of course, but you'll need to fly more miles in a considerably less comfortable environment.

You'll be able to use your Executive Platinum upgrades to move up to first class.

Once you do earn Executive Platinum status, you'll be awarded eight systemwide upgrades (update: AA has clarified that you'll actually earn four systemwide upgrades, rather than the eight the airline previously confirmed), that you can use with economy or business tickets booked in any fare class on any AA-operated flight. Back in 2014, TPG valued Executive Platinum status at $8,100 (that value will be adjusted soon to reflect AA's 2016 program changes), and assuming you do plan to fly AA often, you can get that much value (and more) out of the upgrade certificates alone. Status granted through this match/challenge will be valid through the end of February 2017, so if you want to have Executive Platinum through 2017 as well, you'll need to qualify separately (though the miles earned as part of this challenge will count toward your 100,000 EQM total).

To get started with the challenge, call 888-697-5636 and request to sign up. Once you receive an email confirming the request, respond with your AAdvantage account number, phone number, date of your next AA flight, record locator (if you have a flight booked) and a scan or photo of your United 1K card confirming membership valid through the end of 2016, along with a screenshot of your 2015 year-end summary, listing all United qualifying miles and segments.

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Thanks to TPG reader Tony K., who shared this news tip by emailing tpgtips@thepointsguy.com. We’ll be sending out a $200 Visa gift card as a token of our appreciation.

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  • Annual Fee

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.