MilesBuzz! - The Status Match Master Thread

As we approve the end of a benefits year, airlines are beginning to reveal changes to their frequent flyer programs for 2004. They want more revenue at a lower cost. Their static models probably predict that their changes will accomplish this. Some may, some may not.

But I believe it's important for us to remember that while they're doing their job, we don't have to be sympathetic. After all, we're customers. And we have every right to seek out the product that best fits our needs. If an airline program offers a better deal for our flying and buying patterns, by all means we should take advantage of that offer!

And many airlines make it easier for us to do so -- by matching our current status with elite privileges in their program.

One of the most frequently asked questions on Flyertalk, throughout the various forums, is "Will airline X match my titanium status in the Infinite Airways program?" or something to that effect. And since fellow flyers are beginning to think about their plans for 2004, I thought I'd take a stab at summarizing the "who will match what? and how do I do it?" conventional wisdom.

Of course, this is general advice. It doesn't work in every case. And my knowledge may be superceded by better and more recent information. But this is what I've collected over time. If you would like to correct me, please do so. It will only make for a better information summary. And thread links are welcome!

So here goes ---

Continental

Will match status, generally to equivalent level up to Platinum (top tier)

They seem concerned about fraud, so require a bunch of information:
A copy of your current elite status card. A copy of your latest elite statement. A copy of your current One Pass Membership Card. A copy of your current One Pass statement.


Along with a note explaining you'd like to shift your busy to them if they'll match your current status.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Mail To:
Continental Airlines
One Pass Service Center
Attn: One Pass Match Program
P O Box 4365
Houston, TX 77210-4365

Or overnight it to:
Continental Airlines
One Pass Service Center
9999 Richmond Avenue, Suite 112
Houston, TX 77042

Or FAX the required information to them! (Anyone have the fax # handy?)</font>

Update 1/21/06: Per post # 429 in this thread:

OA Match Request
P.O. Box 4757
Houston, TX 77210-4757

Fax: 832-235-2713.


United

Will match status, generally to equivalent level up to Premier Executive (mid-tier)

Send a copy of your current elite statement or elite card along with a note explaining you'd like to shift your busy to them if they'll match your current status to:

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Mileage Plus Service Center
Attention: Premier Status Match
P.O. Box 28870
Tucson, AZ 85726

Or via Fax: 605-343-0215
10/20/06: post #770 suggests the fax # is now 605-341-6140
03/01/08: fax number 605-341-6140 still works

You can also email your request to premiermatch@united.com and attach your documentation.
</font>
(Updated fax # 5/19/06)
(Updated fax # 10/20/06)

America West (defunct, contact info deleted)


Delta

Will match status, generally to equivalent level up to Gold (mid-tier)

Send a copy of your current elite statement or elite card along with a note explaining you'd like to shift your busy to them if they'll match your current status to:

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Delta Skymiles Service Center
Attn: Elite Status Match
Via fax: 404-715-9220 </font>

[Edit] There are recent reports of Delta offering "challenges" in response to status match requests -- that is, fly x segments in y days for status.

American

American will consistently match United status to equivalent level up to mid-tier (Platinum). They are quirkier about matching status from other carriers. Sometimes they'll offer Gold status. Sometimes they'll just ask you to complete a challenge (miles flown in 90 days). Sometimes they'll offer Gold status and a challenge for Platinum.

For the best consolidated discussion of challenges, see this summary by FewMiles (http://members.shaw.ca/fewmiles/AA/recht/challenge.html#1).

Alaska

Will match status, generally to equivalent level -- with midtier on most carriers being equivalent to Alaska's MVP Gold (top tier)

Fax a copy of your current elite statement or membership card to:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Mileage Plan Customer Service
206-433-3477
</font>

Northwest

Northwest will match status, but they're quirky.

Sometimes they'll match to equivalent level up to Gold (midtier). Other times they reject status match requests outright. I'm not an expert as to why.

Send:
Your WorldPerks account number
Copies of your most recent (2) elite mileage statements

They will not accept:
Travel agency reports
Letters of elite status
Membership cards indicating elite status with another airline
Travel itineraries.

Mail information to:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Manager WorldPerks Operations
601 Oak St,
Chisholm MN 55719-1995

Or by fax to 218-254-7567</font>

USAirways

Update:[/b} As of late 2007 USAirways will no longer match status. They will sell you temporary status and a fast track instead.

Outdated information:
Will match status, generally to equivalent level up to Chairman's Preferred (top tier)

Send a copy of your current elite statement or elite card along with a note explaining you'd like to shift your busy to them if they'll match your current status to:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Carol Blazer, Manager
US Airways Dividend Miles Service Center
Post Office Box 5
Winston-Salem, NC 27105-0005

Or fax to 336-661-8216</font>


Mexicana

Will match status, generally to equivalent level up to Gold (top tier)

You can make your request by emailing &lt;customerservice@mexicana.com.mx&gt; and saying that you'd like to move your business to Mexicana if they'll match your status.

You will be requested to provide proof of your current elite status by forwarding a copy of your current airline elite card or elite statement. A scan attached to an email reply will suffice.

If you don't hear back in a few days, email again. Mexicana is just like that. But Enrique is a nice guy. [Edited to say that per kempis, Enrique is no longer at MX. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif )


Airtran -- Updated 11/27/03

From December 1 to December 31, 2003 Airtran is offering a formal elite status match program (http://www.airtran.com/programs/aplus/elite.jsp).

Just print their elite status match form (http://www.airtran.com/programs/aplus/eliteform.jsp), provide your Airtran account information and your competitor elite status information, include a frequent flyer statement (July 1 2003 or more recent) and fax it all to 1-912-966-6378, attention: Elite Matching Program. You should receive an elite card in 3-4 weeks.


Frontier -- Updated 11/27/03

Send your name, EarlyReturns number, and most recent airline elite statement to quickascent@flyfrontier.com or fax to (720) 374-4375 (attn: Quick Ascent).

Accounts with matched status also earn 5000 bonus miles for each flight (up to 15,000 bonus miles) for flights taken by January 31, 2004.

Update 1/21/06: Reply #13 in this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=358570) reports that the 'QuickAscent' program was discontinued 12/31/05.


British Midland

IBritish Midland may be the only non-North American program with a regular status match program. Full details can be found in this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=690485).


Airlines that will not generally match status:
Air Canada Lufthansa British Airways - with some exceptions for very significant revenue or through a corporate contract
Air France (per [b]dctorres)
Cathay Pacific
Singapore


There are exceptions to every rule, as I'm reminded by this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum28/HTML/001613.html) which reports that Lufthansa is easy to get a comp from if you're in Turkey or China. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Bear in mind that status matches are generally one-time only affairs -- so only request the match if you plan to use the status and requalify. Otherwise it's a future opportunity wasted.

[Edit] Per suggestions below, let me also note that getting comped from one airline in an alliance to another airline in an alliance is usually much harder. Airlines often have "no poaching" rules, so that United is usually unwilling to match Lufthansa status, and Continental and Northwest are generally unwilling to match each others' status. There are documented exceptions, of course, and the closeness of the alliance is often a factor here. But showing elite status outside of an alliance often produces better results.

It would be great if folks would help keep this up to date. Then, when posters ask about comping procedures, we could just link a single thread...

Best regards,
Gary

------------------
View from the Wing (http://www.webflyer.com/blog): A blog about Free Miles and Free Markets

[This message has been edited by gleff (edited Nov 27, 2003).]

Members of the CO/DL/NW alliance will generally not comp each other's members as part of an anti-poaching policy.

Good info here. Printed out my UA request tonight; will mail it in tomorrow. 98% chance it's bye-bye OnePass.

The most helpful and useful thread I have seen all week gleff. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif

Have bookmarked it, as you are correct - this gets asked a LOT on FT.

And I'd like to reinforce your accurate observation:

Bear in mind that status matches are generally one-time only affairs -- so only request the match if you plan to use the status and re-qualify. Otherwise it's a future opportunity wasted.

I have seen instances where newbies have found FT, get all excited, run around to 4 airlines and get a shiny Gold card for no good reason other than they "can" and of course all 4 expired a year or so later. When they REALLY need the comp due to relocation etc, they are SOL. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Just one GENERAL observation - the Star Alliance airlines will NOT typically get excited about comping a top Elite from another Star Partner unless for a good reason - like proven relocation etc. In short a kind of unwritten "Anti-Poaching" agreement.

i.e. if I wrote Singapore Airlines with my 1K card details it is not likely they'd embrace me NEAR as much as say a Cathy Pacific top elite. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Have no idea what the One World members policy is on this.

------------------
~ Glen ~ From exit row seat 15A on a United 747-400 near you SOON!

Great thread, great post.

Like to add that UA turned me down (SkyTeam Elite Plus) because they said "we don't do match programs with AF".

Edited to add: I have been hearing a lot of reports of DL only doing challenges now. Are they still doing comps?

[This message has been edited by dctorres (edited 10-03-2003).]

dupe

[This message has been edited by dctorres (edited 10-03-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SPN Lifer:
Members of the CO/DL/NW alliance will generally not comp each other's members as part of an anti-poaching policy.</font>

This is not true. It may be true for NW/CO, but NW comped me Gold Elite based on my DL Gold Medallion status in August.

Very nice work Gleff! Our friend Enrique at MX is not working there anymore http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Edited for recent reports about Delta offering challenges rather status matches, to note mixed results (at best) for matches within an alliance, and to note that Enrique no longer is at MX. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Another that won't do a status match is BA.

They are known to give a comp. membership based on corporate spending (think in the 10's of thousands, nothing like the "big spenders" on UA that rack up $5000 a year for 1K).

Updated, Scott.

Perhaps someone else would like to start a similar thread for hotels? (While I suppose I could do searches in all the hotel forums and read lots of threads) I just don't feel like I'm currently a sufficient expert on the subject...

Another useful piece of information to add to this thread would be information about status EXPIRATION policies/tier drops on the various airlines:

For example, even if I make NW platinum this year (flying 75,000 EQM), if I fly almost no miles on NW the following year my status will drop to nothing. But I've heard that on some other airlines (I think AA) you only drop one elite level per year, so it gives you at least a couple more years of SOME status on that airline, which could be important to some of us.

Does anyone have a quick summary or link to various airline tier-dropping policies?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
Another that won't do a status match is BA.

They are known to give a comp. membership based on corporate spending (think in the 10's of thousands, nothing like the "big spenders" on UA that rack up $5000 a year for 1K). </font>

Thought I mentioned this earlier, but didn't -- AF does generally not comp (in fact, I've only heard of one instance of it happening).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ermdjdsj:

Another useful piece of information to add to this thread would be information about status EXPIRATION policies/tier drops on the various airlines:

For example, even if I make NW platinum this year (flying 75,000 EQM), if I fly almost no miles on NW the following year my status will drop to nothing. But I've heard that on some other airlines (I think AA) you only drop one elite level per year, so it gives you at least a couple more years of SOME status on that airline, which could be important to some of us.

Does anyone have a quick summary or link to various airline tier-dropping policies?</font>


Right NOW United drop you totally if you do not fly AFAIK.

i.e. if a 1K during 2003 did not fly they'd likely be a ZERO status for 2004.

As a further addition to gleff's initial post, maybe a footnote under each plan to folks as to the OPTIMUM time to apply for a comp would greatly assist new comp seekers.

Some plans comp you only to end Feb 2004 if you are approved by Date x, but to end Feb 2005 if approved a week later.

Such dates are WELL worth posting!


------------------
~ Glen ~ From exit row seat 15A on a United 747-400 near you SOON!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gleff:
USAirways

Will match status, generally to equivalent level up to Chairman's Preferred (top tier)
</font>

Based on anecdotal evidence, US generally does not comp to Chairman's Preferred, though it is known to happen.

Excellent info http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Anyone know what hotels policies for matching are?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Beckles:
Based on anecdotal evidence, US generally does not comp to Chairman's Preferred, though it is known to happen.</font>

My only experience with requesting a comp from US was for a friend of mine out of NYC (early 2003). She faxed in her DL Plat and received US Chairmans. No problem, no questions. That's why I didn't qualify my statement. But of course YMMV, and more data points here are useful.

A quick note on bmi's comping policy:

As it currently stands, they will match BA Status like for like (i.e. BA Silver comped to BD Silver, BA Gold comped to BD Gold).

Just fax in a request, along with a printout from the BA site showing your status, or a BA statement showing your BA status.

Regards,
Alex

Gary,

Thanks, great thread.

It would be nice to have an up-to-date spread sheet of what each plan offers

qualification (ie miles, segments, mileage multipliers, etc.)

Benefits

Quirks (ie DL waives charges for some overweight bags for elites etc.)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MileTex:
Excellent info http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Anyone know what hotels policies for matching are?</font>

Hilton - Comp anyone with a pulse
Starwood - Will match Hilton
Marriott - Depends on who you talk to(I got a gold comp through 2005 from a Hilton Diamond without docs) -

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ozstamps:


As a further addition to gleff's initial post, maybe a footnote under each plan to folks as to the OPTIMUM time to apply for a comp would greatly assist new comp seekers.

Some plans comp you only to end Feb 2004 if you are approved by Date x, but to end Feb 2005 if approved a week later.

Such dates are WELL worth posting!


</font>

Made this mistake with Delta a couple of years ago got comped a year before I really needed it and ended up connecting in Bush since I had status when Delta would have gotten me there non-stop

Unless someone knows different right now would probably only get you status through February 2004 with very little time to earn status for the following year.

There is some magical date (&lt; January 1, 2004) where the status will be extended through 2005. At that point you could make the decision to fly and earn on the program that makes the most since in the total travel package

I have no personal experience with this, but some past threads here seem to imply that the "once in a lifetime rule" doesn't always apply.

Can someone verify?:

(*) United will continue to comp high elites from competing airlines. (In other words, they will comp a DL Platinum to PremEx every year, if asked, even with minimal UA activity).

(*) Alaska will comp every other year.

To further expand on what ScottC stated, BA does comp/status match, whatever, but want one of the following:

1) For you to be from a market that they are "hungry" in (I would think for example that Holland would be a target for them at the moment).

2) That you can demonstrate that you are a big flier (just hitting 100k a year isn't enough as Scott correctly notes, however if you can show that it was all flying J, you'll get it)

Thanks for the info!

You never know how your situation will change and what airline you'll need. With the once in a lifetime comp in mind, I'm going to start printing out all of my year end statements for all airlines and hotels.

I was going to try and score a status match from Northwest a few months ago and they asked me to fax in current AND year end statements. From the web I could get the year end statement from 2002 from United but not from USAir, they only go back 6 months, and I really didn't feel like calling them.

Again, thanks for the list!

Peace

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ermdjdsj:
Another useful piece of information to add to this thread would be information about status EXPIRATION policies/tier drops on the various airlines:

For example, even if I make NW platinum this year (flying 75,000 EQM), if I fly almost no miles on NW the following year my status will drop to nothing. But I've heard that on some other airlines (I think AA) you only drop one elite level per year, so it gives you at least a couple more years of SOME status on that airline, which could be important to some of us.

Does anyone have a quick summary or link to various airline tier-dropping policies?</font>


Might be a good topic for a new thread.

So far as I know:

Lufthansa Miles and More will drop you only one level if you don't requalify (however, they give you two calendar years to requalify - but you must requalify in one of them, can't carry status miles over from one year to the next).

KLM Flying Dutchman drops you one tier at a time, at least for the moment.

NOTE that these policies can change - without prior notice.


[This message has been edited by Counsellor (edited 10-04-2003).]

When National went under, America West gave us Silver with a challenge for Gold.

QL

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by opus17:
I have no personal experience with this, but some past threads here seem to imply that the "once in a lifetime rule" doesn't always apply.

Can someone verify?:

(*) United will continue to comp high elites from competing airlines. (In other words, they will comp a DL Platinum to PremEx every year, if asked, even with minimal UA activity).

(*) Alaska will comp every other year.

</font>


UA (PremEx) and AA (Plat) have comped me three years running, along with Delta (Gold) and CO (Plat) twice. These were tied to our corporate contracts so I don't think I've burned my one-in-a-lifetime with them. I just sent a copy of my US CP statement with 225K YTD miles to our travel agency and they handled the rest.

when continental started the HoKey nonsense, I sought a comp from American. They comped my platinum continental status (at the time i was flying about 110 segments and 90-100K miles on CA) to platinum (mid-tier).
it was straightforward and consisted of faxing a recent month's continental statement

Any knowledge (links, especially) regarding:
Airtran, ANA, TG, SQ, CX, NZ, QF, Frontier, SAS..?

I'd love to incorporate more knowledge into the thread. Thanks! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Re: the commonly accepted "one-time only" rule

Does anyone have any experience with "friends" getting comped on an airline a second time by opening up a second account at the airline on which they want to be comped? Or do the airlines cross-reference names/addresses/etc. for a status match request?

I am very interested in getting a comp on UA (I have AA Platinum, but would like to try UA next year). If I call now, would I be comped to Feb '04 or Feb '05? If '04, then when is a good time to ask to ensure status until '05?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by elCheapoDeluxe:
I am very interested in getting a comp on UA (I have AA Platinum, but would like to try UA next year). If I call now, would I be comped to Feb '04 or Feb '05? If '04, then when is a good time to ask to ensure status until '05?</font>

I'd say you'd be safe after October 15th.

Just to be sure, I'd specifically ask for Premier Executive status for all of 2004 (exp 2/05).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gleff:
Continental

Will match status, generally to equivalent level up to Platinum (top tier)

They seem concerned about fraud, so require a bunch of information:</font>

Don't suppose that's because they themselves know a thing or two about deception or misrepresentation, eh? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

OK, on topic, for the run-to-the-moderator grubbers: "I am happy that I got comped on United. And by the way I am a frequent flyer. Thank you."

Nice thread!

Does anyone know if US and UA will match each others program status given the alliance?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jetsetter:
Does anyone know if US and UA will match each others program status given the alliance?</font>

It's a safe assumption not.

However, comping within an alliance has been known to happen even after being told that it's against policy.

For instance, there are reports of a LH SEN being initially denied a status match by UA and then being granted status on appeal.

So one can always ask. But comping within an alliance is usually much harder, at least.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gleff:
Any knowledge (links, especially) regarding:
Airtran, ANA, TG, SQ, CX, NZ, QF, Frontier, SAS..?

I'd love to incorporate more knowledge into the thread. Thanks! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

My guess is that its mostly american airlines who comp people. I believe that alot of airlines based outside of the US hasnt even heard of comp. I tried once with BU(Since I had KL status and they where leaving the KL alliance), they said no. I have also got no from Swissair.

On the other hand MX seems to comp everyone http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

if you have ANY elite status with an airline, starwood will be MORE than happy to give you gold status.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fly co to see the yanks:
if you have ANY elite status with an airline, starwood will be MORE than happy to give you gold status.</font>

Will they? Or will they likely mail you Gold status unsolicited? (In other words, will they comp you upon seeing you have status, or will they just get your name off a list and possibly mail you a gold card?)

I sense the need for a hotels version of this thread..

SR actively solicited my personal business on two occasions (although I was flying them a lot but throwing everything toward DL at the time). It is my understanding that LX will comp just about everyone/everything. I do not know what BU is....

Quick Note on UA:

United's policy on upgrading has always been if you get a COMP before July you get it until March of the following year. If it is July or After... you get it for that year, the next year and expires March of the following year.

AA did not comp me based on 1K.. they gave me a platinum challenge.. no problem.. one RT flight on CX.. got me platinum. they do it with qualify points.. 5000 for Gold Challenge, 10000 for Platinum challenge, ANYONE CAN GET THE CHALLENGE.. you basically have 90 days to do it....

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by LAX 1K:
United's policy on upgrading has always been if you get a COMP before July you get it until March of the following year. If it is July or After... you get it for that year, the next year and expires March of the following year.</font>

No direct experience on when United's cut off date is, but some posts on the United forum suggest that it is October rather than July.

See for instance http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum50/HTML/020957.html

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gleff:
Any knowledge (links, especially) regarding:
Airtran, ANA, TG, SQ, CX, NZ, QF, Frontier, SAS..?

I'd love to incorporate more knowledge into the thread. Thanks! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

Ms. Gulfcoast and I are both multi-year PM. Airtran recently sent each of us an e-mail comping to A-Plus Rewards Elite - stated cards will be mailed soon.

I took a US Gold comp - completed a 20/20 challenge in 60days and am now CP (US1).

UA comped Ms. GC to Premier Exec (1P) & entered her in a 50/50 challenge to reach 1K status in 6 months - she will reach it next week after completing a RSW-ORD-HKG-BKK-HKT-BKK-NRT-LHR-ORD-RSW business trip.

We both have over 100,000 MQM's on DL - will retain PM status in 2004 but will primarily shift business to UA/US and Airtran due to Skymile changes - major revenue loss to DL!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gleff:
Any knowledge (links, especially) regarding:...QF...?

I'd love to incorporate more knowledge into the thread. Thanks! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

Platinum is the highest tier that can be reached from flying. Comping - pretty well the same as BA - comp is for big spenders only.

If you control a large travel budget, or are a politician or "bigwig", you'll probably qualify for invite-only "Chairman's Lounge".

Some discussion here: Platinum contact for Comp request (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum39/HTML/001328.html)

Greetings,

My comp f/DL to CO came in November of last year for all of this year. I've read on another thread something about Nov 1 maybe being a cuttoff for CO. I can't say for sure other than to say I received mine for the entire 2003 year in Nov of 2002 so best to ask first or wait till November.

Just my experience.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gulfcoastdave:



I took a US Gold comp - completed a 20/20 challenge in 60days and am now CP (US1).

UA comped Ms. GC to Premier Exec (1P) & entered her in a 50/50 challenge to reach 1K status
</font>

Anymore info on these challenges ? 20/20 ? 50/50 ? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif

Thanks
J



[This message has been edited by JohnG (edited 10-08-2003).]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JohnG:
[B] Anymore info on these challenges ? 20/20 ? 50/50 ? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif

Thanks
J


John

US would not match my DL/PM status - offered a comp to USGold with a bump to Chairman's if I flew 20K miles or 20 segments in 90 days - I completed in less than 60 days. and was immediately elevated to CP status through 2/04.
Simply contact the US Dividend Miles Service Center to request - you'll need to fax current statement & elite card.

UA would not match DL/PM status - comped Ms. GC to PremExec and put her in a 50K mile or50 segment challenge over 6 months to reach 1K status - she'll reach it this month. It will be good through 2/05. Contact UA Premier Status Match in Tucson and fax request.

Good Luck!

Am in the process of trying to comp a CO gold elite over to a UA premier executive. Haven't heard anything yet (still early), but maybe they're either swamped with requests or are holding off to do the ones for 2004. Hope it comes through soon, as there's a trip or two in 2003 I might do with them if they do it right away.

Useful thread. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

LX (Swiss) comped me Travel Club Silver status, against my AA Executive Platinum. They even faxed a letter to me so I could gain lounge access for an imminent trip. Now they're joining OW, a comp probably wont be so simple....

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by 777Brit:
Useful thread. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

LX (Swiss) comped me Travel Club Silver status, against my AA Executive Platinum. They even faxed a letter to me so I could gain lounge access for an imminent trip. Now they're joining OW, a comp probably wont be so simple....

</font>

do you have the lx contact info 777? i have a lx flight comming up (zurich to tlv) and i would like to be able to use th elounge.
thanks

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by azmmza:
do you have the lx contact info 777? i have a lx flight comming up (zurich to tlv) and i would like to be able to use th elounge.
thanks</font>

See The End of Swiss TravelClub FFP (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum142/HTML/000292.html) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

------------------
View from the Wing (http://www.webflyer.com/blog): A blog about Free Miles and Free Markets

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by FC_Dave:
Starwood - Will match Hilton</font>

Starwood will comp HH Diamond to SPG Plat; nothing else at all.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NickW:
Starwood will comp HH Diamond to SPG Plat; nothing else at all.</font>

Sorry = since I am HH Diamond I cannot speak for the lesser levels, It was the easiest comp received so I assumed it went the same down the line

More info on HOTEL matches would br appreciated.

BTW, great thread thanks.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by writetorich:
More info on HOTEL matches would br appreciated.

BTW, great thread thanks.</font>

Starwood will comp to SPGold on DL/PM status or if you have an AMEX Platinum Card.

I was comped from US Gold to UA Prem Ex in Dec, 2003. The alliance was already in place, but things may have changed. I think anti-poaching would be formalized within *A when US joins.

The speed of matching was suprising. I faxed in my US statement late in the evening. The next afternoon I checked my UA account and I was Prem Ex. It may have helped that I was already UA Prem with 40+ k elite miles in my account.

Who has received a Status-Match to 2005???

I will be moving to the UK next year and was thinking of a status match with BA. I am SEN on LH, with just over 100K status miles in the past year - half of them are revenue C fare. Would BA match me or am I better picking a different ow carrier to get matched? AA? QF?

My flights will be back and forth to North America and also within Europe. Might be an Asia or a S. Pacific, but no guarantees.

------------------
Friends don't let friends fly Air Canada.

Hyatt will match Hilton Gold (mid tier) with Hyatt Diamond (top tier)

Faxed my Hilton statement to 402-593-9449 in January.

Still haven't heard anything from United on my gold-to-PremEx comp request from CO. No changes on the Web, yet, either. Don't know if it's specific to my request or if they're just backed up. Any recent experiences with turnaround time? Am looking to book a dead-of-winter Europe trip for January.

[

Would BA match me or am I better picking a different ow carrier to get matched? AA? QF?

My flights will be back and forth to North America and also within Europe. Might be an Asia or a S. Pacific, but no guarantees.

[/B][/QUOTE]
It is my understanding that NO gets a status match from BA or QF!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tinkybelle:
[

Would BA match me or am I better picking a different ow carrier to get matched? AA? QF?
</font>
It is my understanding that NO gets a status match from BA or QF!

[/B][/QUOTE]

Agree - BA don't match AFAIK. If you live in Oz I think it is Asia Miles anyway.

I sent in my fax a couple of weeks ago and united.com just showed me as PremEx as of last night (time to update the ol FT handle). It took so long I thought maybe they had rejected it. Then I realized that I've heard Oct 15th and after will go through next year - so maybe they were just holding on to it.

I'd confirm that I ended up status through Feb '05, but I'm not aware of any way to look up an expiration date online - so I'll just have to wait for the physical manifestations to arrive in the mail.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MapleLeaf:
I will be moving to the UK next year and was thinking of a status match with BA.

......

Would BA match me or am I better picking a different ow carrier to get matched? AA? QF?

</font>

Unless you get a corporate account manager on your side and plan to spend around $100k (especially as a UK based member) forget about getting BA to comp you, which is the same as I said on page 1 if you had taken the time to read the thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RustyC:
Still haven't heard anything from United on my gold-to-PremEx comp request from CO. No changes on the Web, yet, either. Don't know if it's specific to my request or if they're just backed up. Any recent experiences with turnaround time? Am looking to book a dead-of-winter Europe trip for January.</font>

I sent a comp request to UA (from DL Gold) 2 weeks ago and still no word. My guess is that they are backed up with requests.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by WestCoastFlyer:
I sent a comp request to UA (from DL Gold) 2 weeks ago and still no word. My guess is that they are backed up with requests.</font>

See my note above. It took more than a couple weeks to process my comp but it finally just cleared.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Tummy:
Hyatt will match Hilton Gold (mid tier) with Hyatt Diamond (top tier)

Faxed my Hilton statement to 402-593-9449 in January.</font>

I wish that was true. I was comped from Hilton Gold to only Hyatt Platinum last year and they didn't even want to offer me a challenge for Diamond. Wonder what I did wrong...

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by elCheapoDeluxe:
See my note above. It took more than a couple weeks to process my comp but it finally just cleared.</font>

Did it come thru as 2005?

My letter with the card was dated Oct 7th and the card said to end of Feb 2004

Cheers

Alan

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
Unless you get a corporate account manager on your side and plan to spend around $100k (especially as a UK based member) forget about getting BA to comp you, which is the same as I said on page 1 if you had taken the time to read the thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif</font>
However others further down the page mentioned that BA will comp status in certain conditions. In the past year about 50% of my flights are in paid J - including transcons. If I was a earned *G for $2K or less, I would expect nothing, but that is not my travel pattern.

And yes I did read your post, along with the others.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MapleLeaf:


In the past year about 50% of my flights are in paid J - including transcons.
</font>


Mapleleaf, you have very clearly answered your own question. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Even if you flew a 100% paid J your chances would be extremely slim, unless your corporate account manager was able to intervene on your behalf, 50% paid J will get you absolutely nothing on BA.Zero,zilch ,nada.

Try AA if you are interested in OW.

I'd disagree slightly.

Ask BA for the comp. See what they say. Report back to us. One more data point can help us all! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

BA is not as tough as many of the above state in all countries. I do not know how tough they are in Canada, however in the US they are NOT as strict as the UK.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Sydfly:
I wish that was true. I was comped from Hilton Gold to only Hyatt Platinum last year and they didn't even want to offer me a challenge for Diamond. Wonder what I did wrong...</font>

Was comped today from HH Gold to Hyatt Platinum -- valid through 2/2005

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dctorres:
Was comped today from HH Gold to Hyatt Platinum -- valid through 2/2005</font>

Anyone know of HH coming to Diamond?

We all know that airlines set their own policies and when you call/fax that's what you get, the standard policy.

To get more (and what you want) I see you need to do two things:

1. Prove a business case to the airline that THEY will benefit by giving you whatever status you want. Whether it be in miles travelled, a copy of your last years cc summary showing airline charges, routes your flying on a competitor, or whatever. Point being figure out what they want and then show them that you have the ability to give it to them. Make a compelling story!

2. Get to the right person who has the authority to overide policy, and make an exception based on a good business decision.

I'm sure they get a bunch of people trying to match status so they make their rules accordingly. And a bunch of them never come through.

I was comped AA EXP to UA 1K a few years ago. I was told no way, Prem Ex was it. I got hold of someone in the Marketing Dept, faxed by prior years AA statement showing almost 200K miles, explained why I want to fly UA (AC bought out CP and my family lives in Canada which is where I use my miles, and UA was partners with AC). I very easily could have stayed with AA, but they wanted my business. At the end he couldn't thank me enough for switching to UA and giving me 1K accomplished it.

That was a few years ago when revenue wasn't the deciding factor, today if you can prove you spend lots of money, have a great story, and get to that right person I'd be surprised if they won't make the right business decision.

bump because this thread offers a lot of great information

As far as timing strategy for both airlines and hotels matching request: Since it is relatively late in 03 and if you need the benefit of the matched status in 04 and 05, is it a better strategy to wait until 1/1/04 to request a matching level and get perhaps an extra year?

I think if you wait till 11/1/03 you're golden regardless of airline.

Some folks have reported on some airlines getting status for the following year by requesting 7/1.

Others have found on other airlines that the cutoff is 10/15.

So either ask and be sure or wait till November 1. I'm not aware of anyone getting a comp that was good for less than 2 months. But others will correct me here?

I finally get to do this...

BUMP!

This thread is awesome.

Well, the UA PremEx comp came through (from CO gold), but now that NW has made its fateful announcement they're unexpectedly back in the running. Has anyone been able to comp a CO gold over to NW? I have a feeling the only hope is to send some kind of PremEx documentation and if they don't see any miles on it they might turn the comp down.

If I can get status on NW (now that there's some certainty of no 50% EQM devaluation soon), I would go to them; if UA gives status and NW makes me start over, it's close.

[This message has been edited by RustyC (edited 11-03-2003).]

Possibly a silly question but can anyone tell me if America West or Alaska accept NW Elite membership for comps since they are allied loosely?

Thanks

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MapleLeaf:
...... Would BA match me or am I better picking a different ow carrier to get matched? AA? QF?

My flights will be back and forth to North America and also within Europe.... guarantees.

</font>

Just a thought.. remember if you plan to fly UK-USA on both BA and AA then you won't get miles/status on the other carrier.

For example:
Fly AA = No points if your a BA ECH.
Fly BA = No points if your a AAdvantage.

So, it may be worth you looking at a 3rd party carrier. Of course it may be that you need to fly up to 4 flights on that OW carrier to retain the satus, so check the conditions! Might be worth looking into LX if your going to be flying in EU as well.

But, like i say... just a thought http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

i thot the AA/BA anti-trust is due to be lifted about this time?

[This message has been edited by pegasus8228 (edited 10-31-2003).]

I have spent the last few weeks looking for an alternative to my KLM PE. This is becuase I have serious reservations about the merger with AF and the partners of AF to me are not suitable for my travel needs and in a lot of cases I dont rate them anyway.

BA is crazy, they are out of touch with the travel world and anyone who works for who flew BA at full fare to get miles would be fired.

*A have been really helpful in trying to help me match my status with the right airline and narrowed it down to LH or ANA as they fly the routes in Asia and Europe I need.

They took time to listen and reccomend what they thought was right for me, knowing they were competing to get my business and yet both airlines were open about each others strengths.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by writetorich:
More info on HOTEL matches would br appreciated.

BTW, great thread thanks.</font>

Marriott will match your Hilton Diamond status and comp to MR Platinum if you have their 75 night stay required annual minimum showing on your HH statement. Just did it about two weeks ago. Easy - faxed statement and status posted within hours. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Has anyone gotten a Starwood comp to Gold from US Gold? How does one go about doing this?

I got comped SPG Gold simply by applying over the internet.. I opened the account and they opened another with gold status immediately.. Strange.. I've never stayed at a SPG property since the one stay required to transfer miles in to qantas...

I'm sure if you have any kind of status with any airline they'll probably comp you..

NW comped me from DL PM to WP Gold through 2004 (Feb 2005) as of Oct.1

I am going to establish some history and ask the to reconsider Platinum.

Someone just reported comping US Gold to UA 1P on the US forum, so it's still in effect. It might go away when US joins *A.

I just got comped AA Plat from UA 1K. I will be putting my new AA status to use. I will be flying AA to the London DO this coming weekend. I like upgrading intl using miles on even the lowest published fares. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ANDREWCX:
Possibly a silly question but can anyone tell me if America West or Alaska accept NW Elite membership for comps since they are allied loosely?

Thanks</font>

Not sure about Alaska but America West will match levels acc to segments or miles (i.e. their Silver = AA Gold acc to segments/miles) So if your NW numbers look good in comparison to Awest you can get the comp.
Good Luck!

------------------
AA Gold, AWEST Silver, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Diamond, Starwood Gold, Priority Club Gold, Marriot Silver, Hertz Prez Club

Great thread!!

My comping experience:
#1 - I had a circle trip through the Caribbean planned for work DEN-MIA-SDQ-CCS-LIM-IAH-DEN, so based on FT, I know that my 1K would get me Gold with a Platinum challenge, easily met with the trip. Sent in the info with a letter, comp was no problem...then the trip got cancelled. I have AA Gold for the year and no miles to show for it.
#2 - During SARS, UA cut back transpac flights to Asia, and basically split the route with NW, each airline taking half the trips. I did not plan on heavy traffic with NW, but given the 15K rt miles, Gold status would get me enough miles for one domestic ticket. Otherwise, I would have 15K worthless miles just sitting somewhere.

[This message has been edited by redbeard911 (edited 11-11-2003).]

OK- I asked NW to match my US Airways Gold and sent them that info and my Delta silver. I was honest that I was interested in changing my Delta trips not US airways. I logged into the NW site today and see that I am silver. That's fine but it says Silver Nov 03- February 04.
There is no way that I am going to get enough miles between now and the end of February to keep silver as NW will be my back up airline.
Do you really think that they are only offering it until 2/04? I haven't received anything from them telling me that they gave me status. I just noticed it on the web.
thanks!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif bump

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by njvj:
OK- I asked NW to match my US Airways Gold and sent them that info and my Delta silver. I was honest that I was interested in changing my Delta trips not US airways. I logged into the NW site today and see that I am silver. That's fine but it says Silver Nov 03- February 04.
There is no way that I am going to get enough miles between now and the end of February to keep silver as NW will be my back up airline.
Do you really think that they are only offering it until 2/04? I haven't received anything from them telling me that they gave me status. I just noticed it on the web.
thanks!</font>
NW matched my stateus to gold last year and I got a letter stating that It was to 2/03. Ithen recieved a new card in march saying I had it till 2/04 so all is not lost yet!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Brian-AAFlyer:
I got comped SPG Gold simply by applying over the internet.. I opened the account and they opened another with gold status immediately.. Strange.. I've never stayed at a SPG property since the one stay required to transfer miles in to qantas...

I'm sure if you have any kind of status with any airline they'll probably comp you..</font>


I didn't know that SPG had a level below Gold??

Tinky Belle
Thanks. I got my card today and it says valid until 2/04 but maybe I will get another one next year. I hope so because I doubt that I can make theire requirements in the first 7 weeks of the year http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I got my UA materials this week, with the standard form letter (dated 11/3/03) and the card good through 2/04. No clue anywhere whether they're intending to extend the comp through 2/05. Would think so, based on info in this thread (otherwise I'd have to repeat the process come March, I'd guess).

Also put in the letter to NW with both UA and CO documentation (the CO documentation revealing 50K+ base miles for 2003 already, the UA just confirming the status comp). In the letter, I tried to gently point out that I flew NW a lot already (but credited to CO), but if I flew UA I'd have to leave that alliance entirely. And that UA has an advantage by comping status because I'd lose 37,500+ total miles on a qualifying year if I had to start from scratch on NW vs. starting with status on UA.

Might not work, but thought I'd give 'em one last chance.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RustyC:
I got my UA materials this week, with the standard form letter (dated 11/3/03) and the card good through 2/04. No clue anywhere whether they're intending to extend the comp through 2/05. Would think so, based on info in this thread (otherwise I'd have to repeat the process come March, I'd guess).

Also put in the letter to NW with both UA and CO documentation (the CO documentation revealing 50K+ base miles for 2003 already, the UA just confirming the status comp). In the letter, I tried to gently point out that I flew NW a lot already (but credited to CO), but if I flew UA I'd have to leave that alliance entirely. And that UA has an advantage by comping status because I'd lose 37,500+ total miles on a qualifying year if I had to start from scratch on NW vs. starting with status on UA.

Might not work, but thought I'd give 'em one last chance.</font>

Don't count on it, they are really stingy with their comps...

So who will comp if I am not going to requalify. Currently a US silver but only have 9K and 13 segments on the year. I'd like to get status on somebody next year. I'd prefer NW or CO as I am looking for free dometic upgrades on cheap fares but would be interested in anybody.

Deleted

I faxed my UA comp request based on my NW Gold status two weeks ago. I didn't have a paper statement at the time but I wanted to get the ball rolling on the process so I faxed in a copy of my card and a printout of my online statement. I have not heard from UA or had my status updates online yet.

Should I be worried?

YYZ - UA is fairly slow to respond. I mailed off my comp match over a month ago, and just got the Gold card today. I actually checked online, and my account had the status over two weeks ago.

Don't I feel silly...

my status updated today.

Updated with Airtran matching info, thanks to OrlandoFlyer posting the information in the DL forum (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum21/HTML/012455.html).

Updated with Frontier matching info, thanks to the latest MilesLink newsletter and reminded to do so by seeing the info on pgary's website.

Two questions

I am 20 and I have been a premier/premier exec with United for over 12 years. Anyway to get lifetime Premier exec, and for my parents to get lifetime 1K

Do we have any information on Cathay Pacific. I am very interested. This is exciting stuff keep it up

BUMP BUMP BUMP it up

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by HKBong:
I am 20 and I have been a premier/premier exec with United for over 12 years. Anyway to get lifetime Premier exec, and for my parents to get lifetime 1K</font>

Really a question more appropriate for the United forum (http://www.flyertalk.com/forumcgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=United&number=50&DaysPrune=5&LastLogin=)... but United gives lifetime Premier Executive status after one million "butt in seat" miles. Miles have to be on United or United Express. 500 mile minimums count. But flights on partner airlines do not.

United doesn't have lifetime 1K status.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chemist661:
I just got comped AA Plat from UA 1K. I will be putting my new AA status to use. I will be flying AA to the London DO this coming weekend. I like upgrading intl using miles on even the lowest published fares. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>


Lucky dog!!... I tried to get comped from 1K and they sent a postcard challenging me to fly some ridiculous amount in Q1 04. So in the can it went!

Does anyone have an alternate email for Mexicana? I have tried the one on this post (also same one on mexicana.com) but keep getting a failed bounceback - any body have an address that works?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ANDREWCX:
Does anyone have an alternate email for Mexicana? I have tried the one on this post (also same one on mexicana.com) but keep getting a failed bounceback - any body have an address that works?</font>

Try crufrecuentausa@mexicana.com.mx

Anyone have a guess how long it will take NW to tell me to pound sand after I sent them my plea? I figure with my AA Gold expiring and the move to MSP I'd see if I could sell my soul for some status.

------------------
Help! I've fallen in status and I can't get up.

The experience of my friends and colleagues is that NZ will entertain comps from QF especially if your travel is either trans-tasman or to LAX. They weren’t too fussy on fare class (i.e. back of the bus on discount fares was OK) just wanted to see a reasonable amount of business that may come their way. The Airpoints people weren’t too cluey as to what a comp was – but a well set out letter, with the request and some evidence of flights on QF received a fairly prompt (and indeed favourable) reply.

A number of years ago – I did some temping for JAL in their Sydney office and spent a couple of weeks doing data entry for the FF. One of the envelopes I opened was a request for a comp from ANA (at this time NH were serving SYD). I passed it on to the head of the department who in turn sent a message to head office. HQ came back and authorized the comp … The rest of the grunts doing the legwork in the department weren’t too clever on how things operated but the team leader later told me that she was authorized to match status for very frequent flyers and was to send a message to HQ for anything else. She said that she always requested it via HQ regardless of what sort of comp request it was (just to be safe I think – the whole office was paranoid about making a decision that was later frowned upon) but had yet to deny any request. This was however, a number of years ago so needs to be taken as being somewhat dated.

I received the following Email from Frontier today:
"Frontier would like to thank you for being a valuable customer! This summer and fall have been our most successful ever -- with record sales and record passenger numbers. Your support has made this possible! To show our appreciation we want to give you 2000 bonus miles when you book and travel by January 31, 2004. If you have not flown us lately, check out what Frontier's unique service has to offer: Affordable and Flexible Fares with no advance purchase requirements DIRECTV service on Airbus flights Advanced Seat Assignments Online Check-in Frontier's friendly customer service! We would also like to announce the launch of Frontier's "Quick Ascent" program. If you are an Elite level member of another airline's frequent flyer program, we want you! For a limited time, we are waiving the 15,000 mile criteria and will make you an EarlyReturns Ascent member immediately. Ascent level benefits include:

Priority check-in and boarding

Priority security lines at most airports

Complimentary DIRECTV service on Airbus flights

Preferred seat assignments online

Exclusive Frontier and partner offers We are also including a limited time bonus offer with this program. You can earn 5000 bonus miles for each flight (up to 15,000 bonus miles) for flights taken by January 31, 2004. That is a free flight after flying just three round-trips! How can you take part in the "Quick Ascent" program? It's easy! Simply send in your Name, EarlyReturns number, and most recent other airline statement showing your Elite status for 2003 to quickascent@flyfrontier.com or fax in a copy of your other airline statement to (720) 374-4375 (attn:Quick Ascent). We will then upgrade you to the Ascent level. Remember, at Frontier Airlines it only takes 15,000 miles to earn a free ticket anywhere within the US and 25,000 miles to Mexico. For a limited time, flights to Mexico can be redeemed for only 15,000 miles beginning December 1, 2003. Best of all, there are no blackout dates!

I am requesting that American match my UA 1P status with AA Platinum. Here is the text of an email from the AAdvantage service desk indicating the criteria for receiving a match. Note that it appears that you must have already requalified for the status for which you are requesting a match (though the language isn't terribly clear).

________________

Hello Mr. [Mikey likes it],

We're here to help, and I appreciate your giving me the opportunity to
assist you.

We appreciate your interest in becoming an AAdvantage elite member and
hope to be able to accommodate your request. Considering your status
in United Airlines' Mileage Plus program, it is easy to understand your
desire to participate at a comparable level in the AAdvantage program
without having to meet the mileage requirements. Once you have become
accustomed to traveling with elite status, it is hard to give it up!
On the other hand, for our elite programs to function as intended, we
must limit the membership to a small percentage of our customers. We
do not make exceptions arbitrarily, but we are certainly willing to
consider your very reasonable request.

AAdvantage Platinum status is the highest level we would offer under
the circumstances. So that we can make our decision, please provide us
with validation that you have flown at least 50,000 Premier Qualifying
Miles or 60 Premier Qualifying segments. You may submit a copy of a
recent printed UA frequent flyer summary, showing your preprinted name
and address. Or, you may submit a screen print of your 2003 online UA
mileage summary, plus a copy of your UA membership card. In either
case, please be sure that the YTD Premier Qualifying Miles are at least
50,000 or the segments at least 60. If you have not yet achieved these
totals, please wait to submit the requested materials.

Bold mine for emphasis.

Please send us your request, along with this documentation, and we will
give it every consideration. Our address is:

American Airlines
AAdvantage Platinum Department
P.O. Box 619688
DFW Airport, TX 75261-9688
FAX: 817-963-7882

Thank you for participating in the AAdvantage program. I hope you will
continue to favor us with your business.

Regards,

[AAdvantage Rep]
AAdvantage Customer Service
American Airlines


[This message has been edited by Mikey likes it (edited Dec 02, 2003).]

AA had matched me 2 years ago

Does anyone know if VS will comp gold for a UA Premex?

Thanks

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RustyC:
I got my UA materials this week, with the standard form letter (dated 11/3/03) and the card good through 2/04. No clue anywhere whether they're intending to extend the comp through 2/05. Would think so, based on info in this thread (otherwise I'd have to repeat the process come March, I'd guess).</font>

I have had the same thing happen. My letter from UA was dated 11/15 and indicated that they were comping through 2003. That isn't enough time for me to qualify for 2004. There was no indication about the comp being good in 2004.

If anyone had a similar experience at the end of 2002 I would appreciate it if you would let us know what your experience was.

I was told today by two different agents at AA Customer Service that AA has discontinued all status match programs effective December 1.

They offered me the Challenge instead.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JerryFF:
I was told today by two different agents at AA Customer Service that AA has discontinued all status match programs effective December 1.

They offered me the Challenge instead.</font>

Can anyone else confirm this?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by WestCoastFlyer:
I have had the same thing happen. My letter from UA was dated 11/15 and indicated that they were comping through 2003. That isn't enough time for me to qualify for 2004. There was no indication about the comp being good in 2004.

If anyone had a similar experience at the end of 2002 I would appreciate it if you would let us know what your experience was. </font>

Is that not the same treatment that you'd get if you'd qualified by flying with United, and aren't all 2004 cards distributed to all Elite members in the new year? I haven't even received my letter yet, although the MilagePlus website now shows me as Premium Executive.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by anc-ord772:
Can anyone else confirm this?</font>

Not sure about ALL matching, but it has been mentioned on the AA board, by a very relaible source, that AA will discontinue the matching with UA.

I think thye may still match some top tiers on foreign airlines such as BA Gold or similar, but I think for domestic carriers it will no longer be done.

Very timely topic as people review options for 2004, looks like the competition is heating up for high volume flyers.

I asked earlier this year about a transfer from UAL to AA and the next thing I knew I was getting offers from their partners. I also recieved a membership.

I asked for none of these, and it took me 6 months to get my membership canceled.

Looks like they'll do almost anything to capture UA 1K members. The dishonesty I encountered with AA will never allow me to join them now.

.....

Hey guys reference NWA Status comp. How long has it taken to get a response? I put mine in before XMAS (bad Timing) and have yet to hear a word. Anyone have an email address that might be useful in checking how the process is going?

I just got something from American that their qualifying points per mile accounting will change in 2004. The email also says that:

"This more generous point structure means that all AAdvantage elite levels can be attained more quickly. And, the great news is that members who would have earned a higher elite status or retained their current status under the new points qualification guidelines (based on their 2003 flight activity) will be awarded that higher status for the 2004 membership year. Members will receive their credentials at the beginning of the new membership year in March 2004."

Does this mean that if I succeeded in my Gold challenge that I might actually be Platinum (which I would have made under the new qualifying miles system)?

I just found GLEFF's ex cellent thread from October answering my question. I apologize for the posting.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JohnG:
Not sure about ALL matching, but it has been mentioned on the AA board, by a very relaible source, that AA will discontinue the matching with UA.

I think thye may still match some top tiers on foreign airlines such as BA Gold or similar, but I think for domestic carriers it will no longer be done.</font>

My experience follows. YMMV.

11/18: called AAdvantage Gold Customer Service (I was Gold at the time) and asked for a status match from UA Premier Exec. The CSR gave me the requirements for a match (see email reproduced on page 4 of this thread) and the fax number.

11/19: faxed the materials in

12/20: called to see what was going on, as my status had not updated. I was told that the materials had been received and that they were "under review."

1/6: logged into AA.com and saw that my status had updated to Plat!

NOTE: I had shifted essentially all my flying to AA as of the beginning of October, and racked up about 15 segs. between then and the end of the year. Whether this had any effect on the match I have no idea.

Was comped to US CP from DL PM. Sent them documentation showing 63 round trips from PHL to JAN in last 15 months - a route that US also flys. Booked 1Q already on US.

Reading through all these topics here (it's almost too much information to grasp), it seems like so many people want to switch airlines. I know you can't please all of the people all of the time, but how do people make up their minds on which airlines to switch to? The only airline I can reasonably switch to is US from DL. But with the news that US is selling their gates, commuter airline and hubs, switching to them is a scarey option.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Traveller:
but how do people make up their minds on which airlines to switch to? </font>

I can't say it was any single factor when I moved from top tier at UA to top tier at AA. I looked at routes (in my case, AA flies from 4 nearby airports), fares, partners, and elite benefits, and I knew they would comp based on threads on the AA board (which was the first place I started my research).

I asked for a comp to UA PremEx based on my CO Gold Status.

I submitted my info (covering letter, copy of my card, printout of my CO account) 2 weeks ago.

I checked my MP account late last week, and noticed that my status had been updated from "General Member" to "Premier Executive".

I've already booked 3 flights: YYZ-OGG, YYZ-SAN, YYZ-DEN (trying to avoid AC when possible, which means going through ORD).

FYI, CO's new EQM scheme, as well as a general blase attitude toward customer service when dealing directly with me, has caused me to search for another transborder carrier.

Add in the E+ and *G benefits, and i'll fly them a LOT in the next 12 months.

Of course, i'll still fly CO down the East Coast, because I love those RJ's...

[This message has been edited by kpalle (edited Jan 12, 2004).]

Plat with CO a pice of cake! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Send in HP card waited for 10 days - done!

------------------
Viele Grüße

Oliver

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SPN Lifer:
Members of the CO/DL/NW alliance will generally not comp each other's members as part of an anti-poaching policy.</font>

That's right, I tried to jump from CO to NWA Platinum, faxed all the docs,etc., became a Whirrled Perky and got a letter saying they don't "poach".

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kcmercedes:
That's right, I tried to jump from CO to NWA Platinum, faxed all the docs,etc., became a Whirrled Perky and got a letter saying they don't "poach". </font>

Pick an airline you won't likely fly, get comped to them, and then use that status to get comped to NW.

Pick an airline you won't likely fly, get comped to them, and then use that status to get comped to NW.

Does not work. NW will require you to submit documentation showing flights on the airline you are requesting a comp from. Status alone is insufficient. Trust me.

Add TACA to the list:

(based on my request of a match of my Executive Platinum status with AA.)

Dear Mr. Snorkmaster,

Thank you for contacting us. It's a pleasure to greet you. Indeed we have a "Level Match Program". We need a copy of the statement and member card of the Program you are enjoying at the time.
We have 3 levels, PLATA , ORO and our highest level is PLATINO.
You need to go through a 2 month period evaluation which will determine the level you will be invited to through out year 2004.
The 2 month period starts the day you request to be considered into the process.
Since you are already enrolled in DISTANCIA, the next step is to send the information once you have your flights scheduled.
If you would like to be invited to PLATA you need to accrue 4 international flown segments (segments within Central America
do not apply for this evaluation period). For ORO you need 6 international flown segments and for PLATINO you need 8 international
flown segments. During this period of two months, you will be treated as an Horizonte de PLATA, this will not be shown in your DISTANCIA
account, but Operaciones Programas de Lealtad, which is the Department in charge of this process will have all this information available to them.
For you to be given the Upgrades, you will need to e-mail us the reservation record locator and your frequent flyer number to
distanciasoporte@taca.com, we request you specify you are in the process of obtaining a level Match in DISTANCIA, at least 72 hours before
departure of the flight, since we review the upgrades to be given 24 hours before departure because of the level (PLATA).
We review the Horizontes de ORO 48 hours before departure and the PLATINOS up to 72 hours before departure.
Once the period has ended we will review how many segments were credited into your DISTANCIA account and depending on the
amount you will be given the correspondent member card.
For the level you will enjoy in 2005, we will consider all the flights credited in 2004, including the flights within Central America.
You will need to credit the following amounts depending on the desired level:
Horizonte de Plata- 20,000 Miles or 25 segments accrued in flights operated by TACA during a calendar year (Jan 01 to Dec 31)
Horizonte de Oro- 40,000 Millas or 45 segments accrued in flights operated by TACA during a calendar year (Jan 01 to Dec 31)
Horizonte de Platino- 80,000 Millas or 85 segments accrued in flight operated by TACA during a calendar year (Jan 01 to Dec 31)
Our fax number in El Salvador is (503) 267-8230 to the attention of Jacqueline de Avendaño.
Any further questions please contact us it will be a pleasure to help you.

Sincerely yours,

Customer Service Center
Loyalty Programs
TACA

[This message has been edited by snorkmaster (edited Jan 22, 2004).]

I am a Platinum with Starwoods and in December I requested Hyatt a comp to Diamond. No response. I assume they are not interested but I expected at least a reply.

------------------

Priority Club will match the major competitors. They ask for a copy of your current competitor card to be faxed and that's it.

I have not been traveling for a couple of years but I am back at it. I thought I would share what I was able to accomplish in getting my old status' back.

The first thing I did was contact AA. I used to be Platinum. When I did not travel for a year they sent me another Platinum card for the following year anyway, but the year after they only sent me a Gold. When I contacted them they put me on a Platinum challenge, which I met, so I got my Platinum status back at AA through Feb '05. (An unexpected bonus... they gave me the 100% mileage bonus on the trip that qualified me... I thought the 100% bonus would start the flight after).

Then... I called UA. "Will you match AA?". They told me to fax in my activity and they would evaluate. They also advised me they would only match once per member. I did not have the heart to tell them they already did an AA match for me back in 2000. Two days later I logged into the UA site and it said I was Premier Executive--and I have not even flown a single flight on UA for three years!

NWA also gave me a FAX number to send in a copy of three months of AA statements. I only really have two months of activity this year. I faxed that in but so far no change (FAX# 218.254.7566 ATTN Emily)

Then I read this thread and I decided to start calling the hotels. Here's what happened.

At Hyatt, where I used to be Diamond, they put be back at Platinum without a blink.

At Hilton, where I used to be Gold they put me at Silver, but they blinked.

And Starwood, where I was Gold, put me at Preferred Plus.

Not bad for a few phone calls, thought I.

[This message has been edited by pushback (edited Jan 22, 2004).]

Given at least the stated policy of several programs not to comp but once per member, why would one seek so many comps all at once? (Or is it all in the name of research?)

The reason I tried to get NWA and UAL to comp my AA is because, although I have been able to keep all my flights on AA so far, my company said I will have to start using the company travel agent instead of booking through AA.com. I figure that means I will be doing some flying (to Asia) on NWA an UA.

As for the trying to get the hotels to upgrade me... why not!?

Does any one have any recent experience requesting a status comp from UA? I faxed them my latest CO onepass statement reflecting Platinum status, 105K+ eqm last year etc. (I've had it with CO) I have not heard anything in a couple weeks from them one way or the other. Typical? How long have others had to wait on average for UA?

I am currently AC Elite which is Star Gold. I wonder if any(yes any) airline will comp me to their highest level due my status with AC?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kempis:
I am currently AC Elite which is Star Gold. I wonder if any(yes any) airline will comp me to their highest level due my status with AC?</font>

Alaska, I'd guess.

gleff, thank you for this.
I was comped CO Gold this past year (from AA Plat) and flew 9 segements and was not upgraded on a single segment. Per past FT discussions about CO's upgrade policy I emailed CO that I was considering moving my business back to AA because I didnt "reap what I flew." They extended me CO Gold through 2/05.

United gave me PremEx last year without me asking probably because they saw my AA statement when I faxed it to them for a promotion. Like CO, UA also automatically extended my PremEx through 2/05.

Is it very common that UA and CO will extend status so freely? AA certainly doesnt seem to be doing so.

Happy Travels

Renard - I've found that UA is very slow to give you any mailed nofication. I think it took 3-4 weeks before I got anything. However, if you log into your account, they will reflect it in a short amount of time (1 week?).

When did you request the comp?

Late year comps (and the dates vary by airline, as much as July 1 through November) will be good through the end of the current program year AND the following program year.

So if you went to Continental for a comp in August 03 it's entirely possible that your Gold status was automatically given to you through Feb 05. That's because it's not all that reasonable to expect you to requalify in only 4-5 months.

But like I said, the exact date during the year where the airlines change over from granting status through the end of the current year to granting status through the end of the next year varies by program and may even change year to year.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bennytma:
gleff, thank you for this.
I was comped CO Gold this past year (from AA Plat) and flew 9 segements and was not upgraded on a single segment. Per past FT discussions about CO's upgrade policy I emailed CO that I was considering moving my business back to AA because I didnt "reap what I flew." They extended me CO Gold through 2/05.

United gave me PremEx last year without me asking probably because they saw my AA statement when I faxed it to them for a promotion. Like CO, UA also automatically extended my PremEx through 2/05.

Is it very common that UA and CO will extend status so freely? AA certainly doesnt seem to be doing so.

Happy Travels</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Jaimito Cartero:
Renard - I've found that UA is very slow to give you any mailed nofication. I think it took 3-4 weeks before I got anything. However, if you log into your account, they will reflect it in a short amount of time (1 week?).</font>

Jaimito,

I did log in and over two weeks later it still says 'general member' under my status.. so nothing even online.

gleff,
thanks. this makes perfect sense. Sadly, I might have to fight with AA to extend me Plat through 2/05 based on my UA PremEx. I hate asking for the comp status. I would rather fly the miles http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif but I also prefer AAdvantage to MileagePlus.
Happy Travels

Faxed info to NW a few days ago to request status match.
I've been AS Gold for 4 years and explained that over the past 2 years the majority of my EQM have been on NW metal.
Any input on how long it will take to hear or even if they will consider a match?

duplicate post

[This message has been edited by frankc98376 (edited Mar 05, 2004).]

I selected Delta as my secondary program this year. I requested a status match based upon UA 1P and AA Plat (comped).

After I faxed in copies of my elite cards, Delta offered me a status match as follows:

Fly 6,000 miles (not clear if this is EQM or raw miles) March 1-May 31 and get Silver; Fly 12,000 miles within that timeframe and get Gold.

I've hit the 6,000 already (measured by both EQM and raw miles) and my Silver status has posted.

[This message has been edited by Mikey likes it (edited Mar 16, 2004).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Airlines that will not generally match status:

...

* British Airways - with some exceptions for very significant revenue (per ScottC)</font>

Do a search at altavista.com that has the words: "british airways" elite status match

and click on the 2nd/3rd result and see what happens. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

or you can see this BA forum thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum15/HTML/006708.html)

[This message has been edited by terenz (edited Mar 19, 2004).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by frankc98376:
Faxed info to NW a few days ago to request status match.
I've been AS Gold for 4 years and explained that over the past 2 years the majority of my EQM have been on NW metal.
Any input on how long it will take to hear or even if they will consider a match?</font>Took NW 3 weeks to get back to me with a letter. Instead of a status match, I'm a CO plat, they offered a Challenge. Would elevate me to NW silver if I took 2 flights in 90 days. Sadly the flights had to be in fares that I don't fly, namely, P,F,C,J,Z,Y,B or S.

Updated with America West's Challenge program (including some reports of instant silver for the asking).

See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=321742

There are also reports of status matches on Hawaiian
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=327859

If more details are forthcoming I'll update the main post.

I see several threads on AA about not accepting UAL status matches anymore, does anybody know a good way to get status on AA? I am NWA Gold, and UAL Prem Exec....

Thanks.

Do a search at altavista.com that has the words: "british airways" elite status match

and click on the 2nd/3rd result and see what happens. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

or you can see this BA forum thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum15/HTML/006708.html)

[This message has been edited by terenz (edited Mar 19, 2004).]

FWIW, nobody received a status match through that promo as it wasn't meant for the general public, BA didn't even bother to send rejection letters to people.

BA was and still is one of the few that will not match status. They will always require proof of future spending (think $65k+), mainly done though a corporate account manager.

I see several threads on AA about not accepting UAL status matches anymore, does anybody know a good way to get status on AA? I am NWA Gold, and UAL Prem Exec....

Thanks.


Fly them? :D

Seriously - sign up for the challange - plenty of info on the AA boards and fewmiles site about it

bump-o-rama

After inquiring recently with United's Mileage Plus, I received the following response:

"Hello Mr. GJS - yow,

Thank you for contacting us.

Normally, we do not offer any Elite Status Matches for any of our Star Alliance members, in this case Air Canada. However, effective as of September 2nd, we do now offer status matching with Air Canada.

To be considered for our Elite Status Match promotion, please forward your name, address, account number, e-mail address and a copy of your most recent summary from Air Canada that shows your name and your current status with them. You may send this information to the Elite Status Match desk by fax at 520-881-4458 or you may write to:

Mileage Plus
Attn: Elite Status Match
P.O. Box 28871
Tucson, AZ 85726-8871

Thanks for choosing United and Mileage Plus!"
I sent in my Aeroplan Elite/Star Alliance Gold evidence, and a few days later my Mileage plus account was Premier Executive! :cool:

Thanks again to all who share their experiences on FT.

Will CO comp Plat, if you are an AA ExPlat? Or will they make you do some sort of challenge. Thanks.

... a few days later my Mileage plus account was Premier Executive!

Is the UA match good thru 2/2005 or 2/2006?

I see several threads on AA about not accepting UAL status matches anymore, does anybody know a good way to get status on AA? I am NWA Gold, and UAL Prem Exec....

Thanks.

If you book a reservation through certain selected travel agencies by October 30 on any of the following routes, you can probably get AA to status match UA -

SFO-BOS, SFO-JFK, SFO-ORD, SFO-LHR
SJC-NRT, SJC-ORD, SJC-LHR

Send me a PM if you are interested.

Is the UA match good thru 2/2005 or 2/2006?
depends when you do the status match, certainly anything done after 11/1 will be through 2/06... but for matches before then, i'd ask in advance!

Will CO comp Plat, if you are an AA ExPlat? Or will they make you do some sort of challenge. Thanks.
CO will comp plat, but only if you can register a pulse.

CO will comp plat, but only if you can register a pulse.

Finding a pulse is the hard part.

Anyone know which airlines might comp Cathay Pacific (Marco Polo Club) Silver? Particularly interested in Northwest or KLM.

Does anyone know if LH still comp BA Gold and how you go about getting them to do this? Phone/email/fax/letter?

If you are considering AA, check the AA forum for threads on AA's upcoming/pending upgrade co-payments, what F/T'ers think about them, etc. AA's next AAdvantage newsletter may shed some light on it too, but several F/Ter's have gotten a jump on the "news." You'll see quite the range of posts--some note the business needs of AA, some are not affected by the new fees, some thinking of leaving AA because of them. Think of the kinds of flying you do and how you use your miles (ex. using miles for award tickets vs. using miles for upgrades so you can earn miles for the flights, etc.) And, it might be one of those things to hold off on briefly to see how the dust from this settles.
Just my $0.02.

Okay, so another $0.02--after noting threads here on how to "match" elite AA levels....if you're considering AA, and can actually "fly" the airline, you've still got time to call AA C/S (it's nowhere on aa.com) & do an AA "challenge", for Gold and mabye even for Plat, esp. if you've got business and/or Christmas/Thanksgiving/leisure travel coming up. Again, scope out the AA forum on it.

Is the UA match good thru 2/2005 or 2/2006?

I just received confirmation by e-mail yesterday. It is good until Feb. 28, 2006. :D

I'm not sure if anybody ever been comp to US airways, but anyways........

I have a friends who is an EXP with AA, will US Airways match AA EXP with their top tier?

Thankyou,

gleff, one you missed in the "not ever comping" column is Qantas. The are very similar to BA, the only chance would be if you control the corporate travel policy and spend over (I think) $250K in corporate travel spend.

Many have asked over at the QF Forum, everybody is disappointed with the consistant answer we give...

Qf WP you nearly gave me a heart attack!!

When I saw that you had posted I thought that maybe just maybe QFF had C=MP=D someone!

I dare not even spell the word! :D

Does anyone know if LH still comp BA Gold and how you go about getting them to do this? Phone/email/fax/letter?

No, that status match promo (was UK only) is over.

I'm not sure if anybody ever been comp to US airways, but anyways........

I have a friends who is an EXP with AA, will US Airways match AA EXP with their top tier?

Thankyou,

I am pretty sure they would.

I faxed US Air asking for comp to Chairmans Preferred since I am Premier Executive 1k on United. Just received confirmation today that are going to comp with no travel requirements. :D The status is thru 02/2006. Looks like they really want the business.

Just received this status match based on AS MVPG and UA PremEx---through FEB 2006. They first comped it through FEB 2005 :confused: , I wrote a quick response that this would not give me any incentive to fly NWA and they replied to extend it through 2006 ;) NWA will surely see my business now--see ya UA.

Just received this status match based on AS MVPG and UA PremEx---through FEB 2006. They first comped it through FEB 2005 :confused: , I wrote a quick response that this would not give me any incentive to fly NWA and they replied to extend it through 2006 ;) NWA will surely see my business now--see ya UA.

Did u fax or mail ur request? when?

thanks.

I am UA premEx and only got:
Account Status: 09Nov2004-28Feb2005 Silver Elite

:(


Just received this status match based on AS MVPG and UA PremEx---through FEB 2006. They first comped it through FEB 2005 :confused: , I wrote a quick response that this would not give me any incentive to fly NWA and they replied to extend it through 2006 ;) NWA will surely see my business now--see ya UA.

Moved to new thread

Faxed my NW Platinum credentials to the Mileage Plus office on Friday (using the fax number listed in this thread) and my (status-less) UA account was showing Premier Executive on the following Monday. I also received a confirmation email from an exclusive email account - (status match email title here)@united.com confirming the upgrade in status.

I am moving back to Sydney next Spring and really have no choice but to switch back to *Alliance, despite two fantastic years of flying as a Japan-based NW Gold and Platinum Elite.

I have recently submitted Elite status match requests for my wife and I to UA for PremEx based on our current status of Continental Gold Elite.

Within a week of submission, my wife's online UA statement confirmed her new status as PremEx :) . However, after two weeks waiting I am still showing as statusless. :( Neither of us have received e-mail or other confirmation, so I do not know whether or not I have been refused or just not dealt with yet? :confused:

Has anyone not been successful with a UA status match from a US competitor airline? Should I resubmit the fax?

I am in a little bit of a hurry as we are off to Hawaii LHR-SFO-HNL-KOA-SFO-LHR for an Xmas family vacation ^ , on UA and I had to book in E-. :td: With status I could hopefully access E+ which would make the trip with a 5 and 3 year old more tolerable. Plus the extra points wouldn't go amiss!

Advice please

Thanks to all in advance

Owl36

Does anyone have the fax number for AA status match? Thanks a bunch in advance!

Just received this status match based on AS MVPG and UA PremEx---through FEB 2006. They first comped it through FEB 2005 :confused: , I wrote a quick response that this would not give me any incentive to fly NWA and they replied to extend it through 2006 ;) NWA will surely see my business now--see ya UA.

How long did it take for NWA to respond to you? I am AA PLT and requested status match. Over a week since faxed to them and nothing yet.

How long did it take for NWA to respond to you? I am AA PLT and requested status match. Over a week since faxed to them and nothing yet.

I faxed my information in. It took about 2 weeks and the only way I knew was by logging into my WorldPerks account. I still have not seen anything via postal mail yet.

Thanks sooner ^

I will tell you that if your Platinum w/NWA and don't re-qualify you will only drop down to GOLD for the next year....

Another useful piece of information to add to this thread would be information about status EXPIRATION policies/tier drops on the various airlines:

For example, even if I make NW platinum this year (flying 75,000 EQM), if I fly almost no miles on NW the following year my status will drop to nothing. But I've heard that on some other airlines (I think AA) you only drop one elite level per year, so it gives you at least a couple more years of SOME status on that airline, which could be important to some of us.

Does anyone have a quick summary or link to various airline tier-dropping policies?

I faxed my CO statement printouts from co.com to the fax number listed on the 1st page of this thread yesterday morning, got an email THIS AFTERNOON saying I've been matched to Prem Exec, (I'm currently a CO Gold). :cool:

My boss is a DL PM with over 100,000 EQMs for this year and has been PM for at least the last few years. Would AA comp Gold and register him for the Plat Challenge or would they cough up Platinum status? His travel includes lots of last minute transcon and some full-fare business class to Europe. Thanks!!!

I will tell you that if your Platinum w/NWA and don't re-qualify you will only drop down to GOLD for the next year....

I believe that if you are comped plat with NW and don't qualify for silver the following year, you will be dropped to dirt. If you actually qualify for plat and then don't fly much the following year, they drop you to gold.

Info here, in case anyone is interested.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=374478

Anybody know if any hotel chain will status match a Priority Club Platinum Member? I tried SPG, but they will not comp from Priority Club.

I believe that if you are comped plat with NW and don't qualify for silver the following year, you will be dropped to dirt. If you actually qualify for plat and then don't fly much the following year, they drop you to gold.


After two weeks, NWA comped this AA PLT to NWA Gold, but only until 2/05. Does anyone know what the status will be after 2/05? Will it be Silver until 2/06 or dirt?

After two weeks, NWA comped this AA PLT to NWA Gold, but only until 2/05. Does anyone know what the status will be after 2/05? Will it be Silver until 2/06 or dirt?

This happened to me as well....after I contacted a WorldPerks supervisor via email that a match til Feb 05 would be of no benefit she extended it until Feb 06, just contact them. ^

Does anyone know which US FF programmes match British Airways Exec Club and BMI Diamond Club golds?

Has anyone done a real comparison for elite benefits lately? I am in PIT and just starting to research if I should make a switch from US next year (Chairman) to CO, DL, NW, or AA?

I really like the US upgrade policy, but there longevity makes me a little nervous..............

Does anyone know which US FF programmes match British Airways Exec Club and BMI Diamond Club golds?

United will. Just make your case with the BA gold and not the * Alliance/BMI status.

After two weeks, NWA comped this AA PLT to NWA Gold, but only until 2/05. Does anyone know what the status will be after 2/05? Will it be Silver until 2/06 or dirt?

I'm a UA 1K and got comped NW Gold unitl 2/05. The letter I got in the mail said that since it's so late in the year, they'll comp me another Gold level through 2/06.

Take a look at the letter you should receive in the mail. It might say the same thing it told me.

Good luck.

Last year around this time I had qualified for 1P on United with around 50K BIS and another 30K bonus EQM. I mailed my statement of to AA hoping for a comp. I was enrolled in a slightly modified plat challenge. Needless to say, I stuck with UA and still have not set foot on an AA aircraft. I wonder why I was denied. I am not a high rev passenger, so maybe that had something to do with it. This year I have 62K BIS and 40K bonus EQM. I always liked the idea of having elite on two different airlines (hedge your bet type thing) but if AA wouldn't comp me, dont know who would.

United will. Just make your case with the BA gold and not the * Alliance/BMI status.

What level will United comp you to? 1K?

What level will United comp you to? 1K?
Generally speaking, 1P.

Generally speaking, 1P.

Yes. USAir on the other hand.... :D [Well, it won't be in business necessarily for too long.]

On the subject of US.. I'm going to finish up the year as a GP and plan to try to get UA to comp me to Premier Exec. Has anybody done this recently? Think it will work? I used to be a Premier for a number of years, and most of my travel is already on UA....

Thoughts?

On the subject of US.. I'm going to finish up the year as a GP and plan to try to get UA to comp me to Premier Exec. Has anybody done this recently? Think it will work?
Not a chance. The only *A airline that UA will comp is AC.

I mailed my statement of to AA hoping for a comp. I was enrolled in a slightly modified plat challenge. Needless to say, I stuck with UA and still have not set foot on an AA aircraft. I wonder why I was denied.
There might be very rare exceptions, but I don't think AA comps anyone any more - they only do challenges.

There might be very rare exceptions, but I don't think AA comps anyone any more - they only do challenges.

I don't mean to disagree but I personally know of two people who were recently comped to platinum to match their status with UA.

There might be very rare exceptions, but I don't think AA comps anyone any more - they only do challenges.

I recently got comped with AA (for the second time). Was comped a couple of years ago, denied last year, and now comped again. Both times its to AA Plat (for UA 1K). Haven't received card yet but AA.com shows Plat status and mileage credit for recent flights show Plat bonus.

I've been flying AA more recently, so maybe they factored that in the comp this time.

I'm just about to get Freccia Alata status in Alitalia's MilleMiglia scheme (SkyTeam Elite Plus, 75K elite mile qualification level). I'm slightly wary that Alitalia might disappear down the tubes at some point in the next 12 months, so I'd like to find a Star Alliance or oneworld airline that will comp me on the basis of my AZ status (I don't believe that SkyTeam carriers will comp each others statuses) and keep my options open.

I'd ideally want to get Sapphire in oneworld or Gold in the Star Alliance, I think.

Any suggestions?

After inquiring recently with United's Mileage Plus, I received the following response:

"Hello Mr. GJS - yow,

Thank you for contacting us.

Normally, we do not offer any Elite Status Matches for any of our Star Alliance members, in this case Air Canada. However, effective as of September 2nd, we do now offer status matching with Air Canada.

To be considered for our Elite Status Match promotion, please forward your name, address, account number, e-mail address and a copy of your most recent summary from Air Canada that shows your name and your current status with them. You may send this information to the Elite Status Match desk by fax at 520-881-4458 or you may write to:

Mileage Plus
Attn: Elite Status Match
P.O. Box 28871
Tucson, AZ 85726-8871

Thanks for choosing United and Mileage Plus!"
I sent in my Aeroplan Elite/Star Alliance Gold evidence, and a few days later my Mileage plus account was Premier Executive! :cool:

Thanks again to all who share their experiences on FT.

I sent in my AC Elite details last Friday...

... logged in today to see my account changed to Premier Executive ^ ^

This means so much to me, as I have a grand total of 2,000 paid flown miles during 2004 :o (due to redeeming miles for most longhauls) but would have despaired to travel without status this year, when I expect to be flying a lot more again.

Thanks GJS - yow for posting this excellent particular information (about UA comping AC). I *heart* FT! :D

Generally speaking, 1P.

Not sure if this in line w/ the topic... I talked to UA directly about status match from AS. Because AS Gold only requires 40K & I had 43K miles they said I would only be matched to premier, if I had 50K they would status match me to premier executive (or whatever they call their second tier).

A MR ANC/EWR has put me over the 50K and now I am trying to decide who I am going to apply to this year for status match. UA is tops on my list as I will probably actually fly them because 1) they are *A & 2) their blankets are plastic wrapped. (AS' blankets are skanky.) Oh yah, and they offer amaretto on their flights ^

Alison
Chugiak, AK

Faxed AA EXP and AS MVPG credentials to UA on the 23rd, was comped to PremEx today. Time to start thinking about those Asia Do's.....

Not sure if this in line w/ the topic... I talked to UA directly about status match from AS. Because AS Gold only requires 40K & I had 43K miles they said I would only be matched to premier, if I had 50K they would status match me to premier executive (or whatever they call their second tier).

I don't mean to doubt what you said, but it must be the case that this "rule" only applies to AS (and maybe a few others). I mention this because for example, I just received a comp to UA 1P from AC Elite, which only requires 35k miles per year.

misunderstood post

I'm a UA 1K and got comped NW Gold unitl 2/05. The letter I got in the mail said that since it's so late in the year, they'll comp me another Gold level through 2/06.

Take a look at the letter you should receive in the mail. It might say the same thing it told me.

Good luck.

My letter from NW said the same thing (I was AA PLT). I'm GLD until the end of the 2005 program year, although I will likely be PLT long before that time comes.

I've already booked three roundtrips for the first two weeks of 2005. I'm tired of flying ERJs through ORD and it's nice to be able to use DL and CO when I need to. I've upgraded my AMEX card from Gold Rewards Plus to Platinum for the lounge access as well.

--Rich

Thanks for the great advice on this thread. I just set my dad up with HP's Trial Elite program. He is going to be a lot of traveling coast to coast and I wanted to get him the benefits of elite early. The info on the post was invaluable to making this happen. :)

I just sent in a request to US for matching Gold status. Even if they do go BK, it will still give me acess on the Star Alliance airlines for at least a year. I figured it was worth burning the one time request given what is going on at US.

I prefer the elite perks over the miles, so I figured that it was not a bad move.

NW must not be giving anything. I have sent two letters asking for match to Silver till March 05. I have heard nothing not even an e-mail. I am plat on AA in Dallas. You would think NW would love to have me. I buy Y and B tickets. I am within 48 hours of booking two trips to NRT. I guess I can earn the miles the hard way but it would be nice to get some type of reponse back from NW.

NW must not be giving anything. I have sent two letters asking for match to Silver till March 05. I have heard nothing not even an e-mail. I am plat on AA in Dallas. You would think NW would love to have me. I buy Y and B tickets. I am within 48 hours of booking two trips to NRT. I guess I can earn the miles the hard way but it would be nice to get some type of reponse back from NW.


I have received no response from NW either.

I wonder if those kind folks "in the know" could see if the fax numbers offered at the beginning of the post are still correct for a status match.

Another data point....

I took my HP Gold status over to UA and was comped to 1P (Premier Executive - mid tier) status. I sent an email to Mileage Plus requesting the status match and they responded asking me to fax a copy of my most recent HP statement to the center in Tucson. I faxed a copy of my online account summary from HP, a short letter explaining my desire to fly UA for long haul and international, and a copy of the email that MP sent to me on Monday 1/3. I logged into my MP account today (Sunday) and found my status updated to 1P (changed since yesterday).

... the fact that I have 25,000BIS miles scheduled for January may have helped:)

Thanks to everyone for the helpful info found in this thread. I faxed my AAdvantage Platinum info over to the UA Mileage Plus service center on Friday and this afternoon when I checked on UA account it now says I'm Premier Executive! I was very surprised to see them turn this around so quickly. ^

Would/could CO give me Silver Status based on getting Gold from the AA Gold challenge?

Anyone ever been bold enough to request status match inter hotel-airline, ie. I intend to fly to the US a lot over the next few years, & I currently have large hotel bills & appropriate status, but no airline status as not worth the expense getting it here in the Uk - but if any US airline comped me, I'd go with them all the time.

NWA got back to me. I was given Silver thru FEB 2006. I just booked 2 more trips on them. Will make Platnium by summer 05. It was about 3+ weeks for them to respond to my faxes. No e-mail just a letter in the mail FYI

does anybody know if Hilton Honours compes any Airline FFs? I am *G

I faxed my comp request to United (moving from Delta) at 8pm. 10am the following morning I had Premiere Exec status.

Impressive turn-around!!

I faxed my comp request to United (moving from Delta) at 8pm. 10am the following morning I had Premiere Exec status.

Impressive turn-around!!

Well, mine took them 24 hours but I now have Premier Executive. This is so cool. Finally, I am StarAlliance Gold without flying 50K Miles on them.... :D It will be useful to use their lounges in Asia where SkyTeam costs more or does not have economic route to fly.

US took 36 hours ^, but I'll cut them some slack in case they're understaffed because they're tight on cash :p. I figured a US match right now would be a great way to get Start Gold and E+ on United without "using up" a status match from an airline I'd likely want one on in the future.

Faxed in a letter and copy of my AAdvantage Gold card and was comped within 24 hours!

Faxed in a letter and copy of my AAdvantage Gold card and was comped within 24 hours!

US comped you up a level ? [Between programs from lowest elite to mid tier elite]

US comped you up a level ? [Between programs from lowest elite to mid tier elite]
Yes.

A fax to Alaska to the number near the beginning of this thread yielded MVPG based on photocopies of my NW and AA cards. The match took 18 days, which I suspect was due to the MVPG request instead of a simpler MVP request.

Hi,

I live in the UK and I'm a JAL Global Club member. I'm interested in flying *A in the future.
Would anyone know which *A airlines would comp me to *Gold?

Thanks

Welcome to FlyerTalk Nippon_UK,
This depends on how you earned JAL Global Club [which tier you are in the Mileage Bank?], how often you fly, what classes you purchase etc.

I am AA EXP and NW PE (top tier on both airlines, both valid until 2/2006, both fully earned). I asked for top tier US (CP), and got Gold instead. Took two full business days to process the request.

I have to admit I am a little disappointed, as I do have the possibility of pushing 50K-100K+ BIS their way this year.

I am AA EXP and NW PE (top tier on both airlines, both valid until 2/2006, both fully earned). I asked for top tier US (CP), and got Gold instead. Took two full business days to process the request.

I have to admit I am a little disappointed, as I do have the possibility of pushing 50K-100K+ BIS their way this year.

I believe that you will be able to get US to give you CP status if you do a little work. There is a thread going on now in the US forum (do a search for "carole" and you'll find it) that has contact info for a great person at US who should be able to help you. Sometimes just following up with the airline is enough to show them that you are truly interested in them. Other times, you'll have to show them that you've already booked some travel on them and more will come their way if they give you top tier.

I find it strange that US would not jump at a chance to give CP status to an AA EXP and NW PE. Contacting Carole should fix things. Once you're CP, things are great. The CP line is fantastic and can work magic when things go wrong.

Good luck.

I believe that you will be able to get US to give you CP status if you do a little work. There is a thread going on now in the US forum (do a search for "carole" and you'll find it) that has contact info for a great person at US who should be able to help you. Sometimes just following up with the airline is enough to show them that you are truly interested in them. Other times, you'll have to show them that you've already booked some travel on them and more will come their way if they give you top tier.

I find it strange that US would not jump at a chance to give CP status to an AA EXP and NW PE. Contacting Carole should fix things. Once you're CP, things are great. The CP line is fantastic and can work magic when things go wrong.

Good luck.

I recently faxed Carole Blazer at 1-336-661-8216 .

Could a person conceivably earn status on one airline and then status match every other airline in the world to be elite in everything? Do airlines match promotional status (i.e., challenges, giftings, matching matched status)?

Could a person conceivably earn status on one airline and then status match every other airline in the world to be elite in everything? Do airlines match promotional status (i.e., challenges, giftings, matching matched status)?

Most likely no. But what they don't know cannot hurt them...

Keep in mind that each airline and hotel generally allows one status match in your lifetime. You want to request the match in the year when you will truly benefit from it - and it is unlikely that you can effectively use multiple air or hotel comps the same year.

Keep in mind that each airline and hotel generally allows one status match in your lifetime. You want to request the match in the year when you will truly benefit from it - and it is unlikely that you can effectively use multiple air or hotel comps the same year.

I would agree with the above save one possibly useful item/revision that I would apply in some cases:

"One status match in the lifetime of a given account number."

... and even when the status match restriction applies for the lifetime of an individual person, some programs do a very poor job of noting that you've been status matched before.

I was given UA Prem Exec after faxing in my HP statement showing I was gold. It posted by the end of the week.

All you have to do is fax it in to their mileage plus fax machine.

Does anyone know of a way to get Airtran elite from having DL elite?

I'm just about to get Freccia Alata status in Alitalia's MilleMiglia scheme (SkyTeam Elite Plus, 75K elite mile qualification level)... (I don't believe that SkyTeam carriers will comp each others statuses) and keep my options open.

I'd ideally want to get Sapphire in oneworld or Gold in the Star Alliance, I think.

Any suggestions?

On the SkyTeam subject, which ones of their airlines will comp me their top status (I'm a QF Plat. and a BMI Gold)...

... and which one would I actually want ?!?

Don't mean to be saracstic, I mean which ones have good benefits, and I would prefer it if it was not in an airline likely to go bust !

And do hotel programmes comp. status ?

Will Marriott or Hilton HH comp. me equivalent of my IC Group/Priority Club Platinum ?

And do hotel programmes comp. status ?

Will Marriott or Hilton HH comp. me equivalent of my IC Group/Priority Club Platinum ?

Hilton HHonors, more often than not, gives "challenges", whereby you get upgraded if you stay X times in Y months.

And do hotel programmes comp. status ?

Will Marriott or Hilton HH comp. me equivalent of my IC Group/Priority Club Platinum ?

I can offer some advice. I decided to try this out with a couple of different carriers and hotels. Mariott and Starwood will comp hilton and hyatt (don't know IC). Starwood did it in under 24hrs. I have oodles of HHonors points. So starwood preferred platinum, but you must be HHonors diamond VIP or they will give you a gold challenge. Waiting on Marriott and Best Western (hahahaha)

I faxed American Platinum Exec and UA Executive Premier statements to a couple of airlines just to see. I will probably not use them, but what the hey. Alaska less than 24 hrs MVP Gold, US Air comp Gold "don't know why not chairman" America west responded quickly and said ok but has not posted on my account and their FlightFund Help desk can't access that department. Said it could take a week to post. Waiting on Delta.

Welcome to FlyerTalk nightmare339 :),
Oh and thanks for the relevant up to date information ^

Any news on NWA

I'm currently a US GP, and planning significant travel on UA this year. I'm thinking it would probably be more valuable for me to be a US Premier Executive than a US GP because:
- I can earn upgrades on UA
- I can take advantage of UA mileage bonuses
- Have a gut feeling that miles earned in MP program are safer than DM miles

That said, I know UA policy is NOT to comp status based on another *A carrier. My thought is that I could probably do a backdoor comp by getting CO to comp my US status, and then taking that CO status to UA for a comp.

Am I being silly? I'd appreciate advice and recommendations. I realize that getting a status match is a one-time event, so it feels a bit extreme to do that TWICE in one year. I've already earned 7500 status miles on US this year, so I need to decide now if I'll proceed with US or make the switch before I've lost the opportunity to earn the 50K I'll need to maintain the status.