Originally Posted by
keloutwest
A second option is to match your status to UA. As a SE you may get Plat or 1K. Usually they dont do *A to *A matches, but if you explain your move to the USA you may get it.
That said, if you are moving to the USA, consider DL. They are much better than UA, especially given the UA merger debacle.
I made a similiar move a move three years ago (was AC Elite or SE for a decade). For several years (moved full time to US in 2003) I continued to fly CO/UA but credit miles to AC. With merger I decided to pursue UA MP status. Poster above is correct w/respect using your AC Elite Card for check-in, boarding, lounges etc. (as noted above a big benefit of AC Elite card is gives you domestic lounge access without buying membership - something you will carry forward in 2013 even when booking/using MP account).
What won't work - at least not easily is getting a status match. Star Alliance policy is not to match amongst partners. I ultimately got an exception to this after a lot of aggrevation - demonstrated I had flown approx. 75k FF miles in 4Q on then CO metal - match was Gold.