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American Changes Elite Status Match/Challenge Program

Jan. 03, 2017
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3 min read
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American Changes Elite Status Match/Challenge Program
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American is making more changes to its elite status program. This time, it's the elite status match challenge options that are being altered.

The changes — which were first reported on Flyertalk and confirmed to TPG by an AA agent — are for both Gold and Platinum level challenges. Effective immediately, in addition to the usual Elite Qualifying Miles requirement, you will now need to also meet an Elite Qualifying Dollars metric. However, you will also have the option to qualify via Elite Qualifying Segments instead of miles.

Here are the new requirements for Gold and Platinum challenges:

GoldPlatinum
Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM)
7,000
12,500
Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS)
8
16
Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD)
$1,000
$2,000

Note that in this chart, the EQM and EQS requirements are either/or — you do not have to reach both of them. On the other hand, the EQDs are required in either case.

But fortunately the news is not all bad. In the past AA did not give you status during the 90-day challenge period, but now if you're challenging for Platinum status, you will have the option to pay an additional fee to have either Gold or Platinum status immediately.

The standard cost of the Platinum status challenge remains unchanged at $200, but if you want Gold status immediately, you can pay an additional $200 for a total of $400. If you want Platinum status immediately, it will cost an extra $300 for a total of $500.

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This means you could effectively purchase three months worth of Gold or Platinum status, but that's not likely to make sense for most folks. However, if you have a significant number of flights coming up on AA, it could be a good way to make those trips a bit more comfortable.

There have been a lot of changes to the American elite program for 2017, so before you make any decision to challenge for status, make sure to read "Everything You Need to Know About American’s 2017 Elite Status Spend Requirements."

Having to meet a spend requirement for a status challenge is far from ideal — and not required by either Delta or United for their own challenge programs — but at least it's slightly mitigated with the new option to get status up front.

H/T: xJonNYC on Twitter, danbrew at Flyertalk

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

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.