I have been lurking for about a month and have read through many of the related posts and am looking for some quick and hopefully easy advice, from some of the more knowledgeable members.

My goal is to obtain mid-tier (Gold) Delta status without a challenge, valid though the end of 2009/early 2010, for my wife and I. Silver status is ok, but really can’t complete a challenge right now.

As we live in MSP, and will not be relocating, we travel mostly on NWA. However, with the merger and rumors the WorldPerks is going away plus the pending expiration of our gold status, I think the timing might be right to status match over to Delta. The idea is to extend our gold status for a year through the merger and we can then work on building/maintaining status on Delta.

We are both NWA Gold expiring in Feb 2009, HHonors Gold and use NWA credit cards (considering Amex Platinum for access to clubs). We’re willing to switch/organize to maximize travel benefits.

My wife travels a bit for work – should be able to maintain high silver to low gold (about 50k miles). I travel a bit less now (very little this year and guessing about 20k next), but have been known to book a mileage run if needed (MSP to LGW to hit gold). Our travel is fairly random – she goes to New York and West Virginia for work once per month, we hit Vegas and Mexico a couple times a year.

Here’s what we like – expedited security screening, upgrades to first class (will buy with miles), bonus miles. We like to travel and expect that leisure travel will pick up a bit. We’re ok with a registered traveler program if it helps expedite screening.

My idea right now is to status match from NWA to United (or another airline not related to NWA/Delta) and then status match back to Delta. This is based upon the “non-poaching” rules between NWA and Delta.

Ideally, I like some overall advice to maximize benefits. However, with the airline’s revenue pressures and cuts in benefits is my idea just a pipe dream?