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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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.