iDine/Rewards Network - Change airline program: Retain elite status?

Title about says it. I have a card in the AAdvantage RewardsNetwork. A few days ago, I thought I wanted to change it to earn US Dividend Miles. I called to ask about elite status, and the CSR said, "No problem. You'll retain elite status. You'll continue earning at 5 mi./1$." She said it would be a two-step -- quitting one and enrolling in the next, but that RewardsNetwork would recognize my card and me.

Today, I saw the DL 1500 mi. enrollment bonus offer in my SkyMiles statement. I called the SkyMiles RN number, asked, and that CSR said, "You'd start over to earn back elite status for (within) 2009. They are two different programs."

Which is it? (I hope the answer isn't, "Yes.")

I have emails in to all three programs, because I may want the answer in writing. ;)

I realize that the current enrollment promo bonuses trivialize the difference in earning between non-elite and elite, if one pays attention and plays it right -- at least until the music stops.

I haven't taken any action yet, so it will be one jump.

I think I've been thorough in looking back at all the threads, and several pages of the bonus sticky.

Title about says it. I have a card in the AAdvantage RewardsNetwork. A few days ago, I thought I wanted to change it to earn US Dividend Miles. I called to ask about elite status, and the CSR said, "No problem. You'll retain elite status. You'll continue earning at 5 mi./1$." She said it would be a two-step -- quitting one and enrolling in the next, but that RewardsNetwork would recognize my card and me.

Today, I saw the DL 1500 mi. enrollment bonus offer in my SkyMiles statement. I called the SkyMiles RN number, asked, and that CSR said, "You'd start over to earn back elite status for (within) 2009. They are two different programs."

Which is it? (I hope the answer isn't, "Yes.")

I have emails in to all three programs, because I may want the answer in writing. ;)

I realize that the current enrollment promo bonuses trivialize the difference in earning between non-elite and elite, if one pays attention and plays it right -- at least until the music stops.

I haven't taken any action yet, so it will be one jump.

I think I've been thorough in looking back at all the threads, and several pages of the bonus sticky.

They are two different programs. Every airline has its own program and phone number. The only thing that is the same is that all airlines use the same office in Miami.

You will not lose your VIP with AA as long as you do not close your AA RN account. If you want to earn miles with a different airline, you will have start over from 0 and dine 11 times before the end of 2009 to be a VIP. You can be a VIP with every airline. I earn miles with AA, DL, and US, but I am only VIP with AA and US. I hope to become VIP with DL by the end of March.

Note: Every RN account needs to have a seperate CC listed on file in order to keep it open. In order to have two accounts you will need at least two different CCs.

Thanks, Open Jaw. I also got an email back from Dividend Miles Dining affirming what you said. I do think it's interesting that when one changes program"s", you can't use any username that you've ever used with a RewardsNetwork program before. Anyway, I'm in SkyMiles Dining over the next $50. For me, the musical chairs of enrollment bonuses relegates the advantage of "elite status" back in the noise. And, I'd bet that at some point another elite status acceleration promotion will be offered after the music and I stop.

And again, from experience (anyone), how soon can one return to a program for another enrollment bonus?

Thank you.

Thanks, Open Jaw. I also got an email back from Dividend Miles Dining affirming what you said. I do think it's interesting that when one changes program"s", you can't use any username that you've ever used with a RewardsNetwork program before. Anyway, I'm in SkyMiles Dining over the next $50. For me, the musical chairs of enrollment bonuses relegates the advantage of "elite status" back in the noise. And, I'd bet that at some point another elite status acceleration promotion will be offered after the music and I stop.

And again, from experience (anyone), how soon can one return to a program for another enrollment bonus?

Thank you.

No problem Firewind.

I do not think someone can return to a program for another enrollment bonus, but I am not sure. If you do get another bonus, be sure to inform us here at FT.

Interesting. I just got a reply from AAdvantage Dining. Same guy, same letter as Dividend Miles Dining.

And I realize that there's a price tag. It's not simply, "Proceed to Go. Collect 1,000/1,500 miles." So, not sure if I'll make it back to the beginning before the music stops for me.