My 5K Challenge


Before my trip to California, I had to do a little soul searching with my loyalty programs. Who gives me the most wins. I have AAdvantage and Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards.
This is a nerve wracking challenge
Late June, I received an invitation to join a 5K Challenge. Here is how it goes. 

Earn up to 5,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles when you register and complete these qualifying activities in any order through September 30, 2018:
  • Make any purchase with AAdvantage® eShopping℠
  • Dine-in or carry out with AAdvantage® Dining℠
  • Book and stay at a hotel at bookaahotels.com
  • Rent and drive a car at aa.com/cars
  • Fly on an American Airlines marketed and operated flight
Waiting on 2500 miles from hotel stay

But here is the tricky part. The points are accumulated by steps.
· 1 activity = 50 bonus miles
· 2 activities = 250 bonus miles
· 3 activities = 1,000 bonus miles
· 4 activities = 2,500 bonus miles
· 5 activities = 5,000 bonus miles

I started with Shopping (50) and Dining (+200). Before the trip, I earned 300 bonus miles. Then, I bought American Airline ticket through the website. After travel started, another 750 miles added. I completed my car rental from Avis at SJC and racked up another 1500 miles. I am patiently waiting for my 2500 miles for my hotel stay.

I booked a very weird place called Saratoga House through bookaahotels.com. It's a room with shared bath in Saratoga. I had to call it B&B because you can cook your own breakfast with whatever is in the refrigerator. Oh. That was nasty. One night was only $75, cheaper than hotel because there was no hotel tax. The downside was no parking. I had to ask my sister to drop me off and pick me up to go to the airport next morning. WiFi was turned off when I got up at 6 am and didn't turn on until 7 am. There is no cell data signal or any hot spot WiFi available nearby.
Because this is an unconventional hotel, they are slow on releasing my AA miles. I am stuck with pending 2500 point to complete the 5k Challenge. I wrote to customer service. She says it should post as soon as the miles are added to my account. 

Overall. I would consider fly American Airlines if I can avoid taking CRJ class airplanes. I refused to rent another car from Avis or Budget. 

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