I was United premier exec for years, until I stopped consulting two years ago. Now I am back in the biz, and starting from scratch. I have 12,000 EQMs from a Delta trip to Accra last week, and am off to Nairobi next week. And for the first time, my new employer is buying biz class seats. This, unfortunately, will not be the norm. The usual is lowest cost econ.

I have two itineraries presented to me: NWA ROC-DTW-AMS-NBO; or UA ROC-IAD-ZRH-NBO. The first puts me over the first level status on NW. The latter gets me back with united,who I will likely be flying to Sudan later in the summer in econ, but does not yield me the 25,000 for status.

I have been trying to figure out what the real benefit from NWA status might be. It seems impossible to upgrade and there is no economy plus access. Anyone here have any thoughts on which program to aim for?

Thanks,
jer