Elite Status Made Fast & Easy (after just 3,334 miles)

With this in mind, American Airlines offers a fast-track program allowing you to reach the elite-level of its frequent-flyer AAdvantage program. Request the promotion and earn 5,000 points in 90 days (beginning on the 1st or 16th of any month) and you'll be accelerated to ‘Gold’ status - equal to the annual requirement of 25,000 miles. Or, earn 10,000 points to be accelerated to ‘Platinum’ status - equal to the annual requirement of 50,000 miles. Once you have logged the points, you will be granted immediate status for the level accomplished - valid through February of the following year.

Discounted coach fares earn 0.5 points per mile flown, full-coach fares earn one point per mile, Business Class offers 1.25 points per mile and First Class 1.5 points per mile. Therefore, if you take one flight in First Class, at least 3,334 miles in length, you will have earned your way to Gold Status in American's AAdvantage frequent flyer program.

Points can also be earned toward the Challenge by traveling with many of American's partner airlines.

This is only the beginning...

As an elite-level frequent flyer member with American Airlines (or almost any other carrier for that matter), you can obtain elite status membership with several other airlines: even more quickly – without even stepping on an airplane!

Upgrade Privileges …

As an AAdvantage ‘Platinum’ frequent flyer member, I can purchase ‘Electronic Upgrades’ (a privilege given only to elite-card holders) for $40 each. Upgrades can be confirmed up to 72 hours prior to departure.

Therefore, I can buy a ticket to fly from San Jose to New York, where there is $299 coach fare (which requires no advance purchase of minimum stay) on American Airlines, and upgrade for only $200.

That means I can purchase a ticket for only $499 three days prior to departure with the outbound flight confirmed in First Class, at time of ticketing. I can confirm a seat on the return flight up to 72 hours before departure. Whenever I have difficulty confirming the upgrade on a return flight, I usually find availability on another similar flight (when I can be flexible) and pay the $100 change fee.

Coast-to-coast and back for $699 on American Airlines in First Class! Not bad considering the seat next to mine goes for $3,620 - if my seatmate is not an elite-level card holder.

Hedge Your Bet with a Second Elite Card

As an elite frequent flyer club member, have you ever had difficulty securing an upgrade for a domestic flight? If so, the following strategy could be of interest to you.

When making your average flight arrangements, you'd normally purchase a single ticket on an airline where you have elite privileges. Then you hope against hope that upgrade space will become available - right? Why not book a second ticket for the same trip, on another carrier where you are also an elite member. (You might just obtain that second elite card by using the methods we've revealed.) A second booking means that your opportunity to upgrade will double!

You'll know 24 to 100 hours in advance, based on your status, which flights have the upgrade space confirmed. But your odds of securing the upgrade just doubled. And in today's sometimes-overcrowded upgrade lines, you want the best odds possible.

As for the unused ticket, you can always apply the value of that ticket for travel on another date, less a $100 change fee. You'll use that ticket for the same procedure next time - only costing you the $100 change fee. Just consider yourself ‘hedging your bet’ - for $100. (Full-fare coach travelers have no excuse not to use this tactic because their tickets are completely refundable.)

If you have any questions or comments regarding any of the details in this article (or any other), do not hesitate to give us a call.

To learn more about the many loyalty program nuances that can work in your favor, click here.

Source for further information:
Matthew J. Bennett, CEO
FirstClassFlyer.com
mr.upgrade@firstclassflyer.com
Tel (831) 644-7777