Originally Posted by
hydrogen
I think most people on the AC board have figured out that there's absolutely no reason to fly AC as any elite, even an AC elite.
Oh, people on the UA board have, too... :-) As a YUL-based low-tier UA "elite" (cough, cough), I sometimes dream of getting back to that *G status I once had, for lounge access and better upgrade chances. So I occasionally consider switching to AC to get their 35K (possibly 50K) status...
But what for? Those Tango-like fares earn next to nothing; it's just not worth even trying. Despite the fact that my BIS miles might be within that 35-50K range this year, none of that is OOP - and corporate rules require me to fly within the cheapest 1-stop option +100$ (even though most of my travel is TCON). Not a chance flying AC.
My best bet (especially at this time of the year) might be to do a challenge/SM through another alliance (AS/AA/DL sounds somewhat appealing), then come back next year... To UA. Bleh...
Originally Posted by
hydrogen
Alas, AC has closed the loophole whereby AC elites would fly UA for cheap and easy EQM.
Darn - I should have read that AC section a little bit more, then... Seems I missed it. :-)