Hi FT,

I'm a Delta Platinum looking to do a status match on a Star Alliance carrier and could use some help figuring out which carrier is my best bet.

My details:

*I'm from the US, but recently took an assignment in Madrid for 2 years (that's what's prompting my switch in carriers -- SkyTeam service isn't as strong as Star Alliance out of MAD)

*Since I'll eventually be back in the US, I was favoring a US member of Star Alliance -- I have a few miles (less than 20k) on US Air and United. Hate US Air, but have had great experiences on United & Continental

* However, from reading this forum, it sounds like United & Continental specify in their status match challenge that you have to fly those challenge miles on their airline -- and I can't do that within 90 days

* Have a long-haul Star Alliance ticket already booked on SpanAir/Luftansa for next month that will get me 20k+ miles in the bag. Have several shorter leg trips I can book to clear any 90-day hurdle as necessary above that, but those trips likewise would be with the European-heavy carriers (ex: Span air, Luftansa, Swiss Air)

Which carrier should I approach about a status match?

Thanks so much for your help!
Laura