Well, I can not make Gold again this year and have heard stories about eithering dropping to Silver or becoming non-elite since US is poised to join *Alliance.

Will there be a Gold challenge offered next year so that I could get some type of elite status on Star Alliance? I am told by DM that because I am still Gold, I can not be comped based on other carriers so I am looking for alternatives.

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Going back to the bAAsics
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I'm in same boat -- was Gold on US, but due to recall to active duty, stopped flying (obviously) for 11 months. I dropped to Silver, now debating whether or not to challenge US if avail.

I got comparable status w/o flying required miles on AA through my company -- they switched preferred carriers, and I didn't want to start from scratch for elite status, AA matched my (then) US Gold to AA Gold, which is not exactly the same but helped.

My plan is to challenge AA Platinum (can't challenge same category until you expire, I'm told) to bag 10K points/miles in 3 months, which I can do from Jan-March, then deal w/US once I'm done w/AA.

Did you tell US that you were called to active duty? If you went to Iraq, they may do something for you. At least NW did for their elites...just a thought...