I'm in the same situation. I'm 1P and have steady business travel that will take me to just over 100K this year (the brutal way...mainly domestic and from the middle of the country out...) I could take a nice vacation/MR and hit 1k sooner...peice of cake, a Hawaii run will get me there in October.

I didn't quite catch the CR1 issue. Every 10K I get the 4 e500s. I realize as a 1k you get 2 CR1s at 10k, as well. There is some odd variation to that rule (I think) that I don't quite understand. But if my goal is to only hit 100k this year, would I be eligible for the 2 CR1's when I transition from 99,999 miles to 100,000 miles? Or are you guys saying you have to go one step further to 110,000 miles. I don't really understand the rule. The last time I was 1k I don't recall having CR1s, I thought it was jusr e500s and SWUs. Are SWUs were much more useful and a real benefit back then. All my international vacation was done using SWUs on the cheap. I loved United then and had no quelms sending them my business then.

I'm still looking at AA. A co-worker said that even as Silver and Gold they get upgraded to first on occassions. But I understand they do not have an E+ equivalent and the thought of flying with my knees rammed into the seat in front of me and not being able to safetly open my laptop is concerning. Any thoughts?