Enroll in a Free AAdvantage Platinum Challenge with FoundersCard
Last year, the membership-based FoundersCardlaunched a new, exclusive way for cardholders to get status with American Airlines. And this year, cardholders are also eligible for a status challenge to the AAdvantage Platinum level. To complete the challenge, members will need to earn 12,500 elite-qualifying miles (EQMs) during a three-month trial period beginning in August. Those who meet the requirements will retain Platinum status through January 31, 2018.
Here are the complete details:
- Enroll in the status challenge by 11:59pm CT (12:59am ET) on July 31, 2016
- You'll get AAdvantage Platinum status from August 22-November 22, 2016
- To keep the Platinum status through January 31, 2018, you must be enrolled in American's Business Extra Program and earn 12,500 EQMs during the three-month challenge period.
If you complete the challenge, you'll have about 17 months with Platinum status and its benefits. From there, you can decide if you want to requalify for the status the old-fashioned way.
This is a great opportunity for you to get status. However, keep in mind that you must be a FoundersCard member to enroll. This promotion compares favorably to other, public status challenges with American. You can currently enroll in a public AA Platinum status challenge with the same EQM-earning requirements, except it'll set you back $240. The benefit of this FoundersCard challenge is that there's no fee to sign up if you're already a member.
In conjunction with the status challenge offer, FoundersCard is offering TPG readers a discounted $395 annual membership fee and waiving the $95 membership initiation fee — use code FCPOINTSVIP at signup. Given the limited time to enroll in the status challenge (until July 31), and considering that TPG values AAdvantage Platinum status at $2,840, the membership cost is well worth it.
Unfortunately, if you already have Platinum or Executive Platinum status with AA through February 28, 2017 or later, you're not eligible for this challenge. In addition, if you participated in a Platinum status challenge with FoundersCard in the past 12 months, you're not eligible to sign up again. Finally, if you choose to enroll in this challenge, you won't be able to enroll in another challenge through FoundersCard until after November 8, 2017.
Bottom Line
Although American just detailed the future of its AAdvantage program, including plans to move to a revenue-based earning system, there's still reason to sign up for this FoundersCard status challenge if you're at all interested in gaining AAdvantage Platinum status. If you're able to successfully complete the challenge, you should get more than enough value out of your status to offset the cost of membership, and that's without taking into consideration all of the other FoundersCard benefits.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees