To earn additional non flight EQM toward 1K (and avoid mileage runs in the fall), I am thinking of getting a Continental Presidential Plus Visa and giving up my Chase Mileage Plus given that:
1. there is a limit on EQM on Mileage Plus Chase Visa that can be credited to a mileage plus account, 10,000, and I have met it this year, and
2. my Red Carpet Club Membership is due, and
3. Continental EQM will become United EQM at end of year, and
4. Presidential Plus EQM earning is potentially more than Chase Visa (after a $50,000 spend)as I have not found the same limit of 10,000 EQM

Are these premises accurate?
(at least for this year, i.e . next year a 10000 EQM limit may be adopted for both cards/programs as they combine)

Any downside I am missing?

Am I right to interpret the "Flex" EQM that you use them when you need to earn status, and if you don't need them they carry forward to next year?
In my case as 1k this year, if I am at 94,000 EQM on Dec 20 this year, have no futher travel planned, and I have 11,000 Continental Flex EQM earned, I can transfer 6000 Flex EQM to Continental One Pass, then to Mileage Plus to get to 100,000, 1k on Mileage Plus, then have 5000 Flex EQM to use for 2012 status (acknowledging that combined program in 2012 may eliminate fle EQM and force current use, etc.)

Is there any reason to buy red carpet/president club seperately with these cards available?

What is the difference between the Presidential Plus Card and the Presidential Plus Card for Business? I can't see any:

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...?offer=PPC95SC

The promotion for getting the card is a 95.00 statement credit.
Does anyone have a link to bonus miles instead?

Thanks,
Tinman