Rumor has it that on or around 10/15 AA will start charging $80 for the Gold Elite ChAAlenge, and $150 for the Platinum Elite ChAAlenge.
The chAAlenge, which has always been free to try for up until this point, is AA’s fast-track program for elite status. There is no limit to the amount of times you can go for a chAAlenge.
You can read more about the ChAAlenge from what I wrote about it in April of 2006.
Rumour is true – I just called them and they told me it would cost $80 for the gold challenge and $150 for the platinum challenge