BoSoxFan45, Congrats on your new status as Lawyer and Silver Elite.....I never was refused an upgrade as Silver and I get upgraded to South America on $600 fares on CO w/out miles and confirmed at the time of booking (few know the secret) so I am a smart traveler I would HIGHLY suggest Starwood Preferred Guest as your Hotel Partner..... For one, I am Platinum and have been for 15 months and already requalified for next year, and they give me automatic suite upgrades at most hotels, even the Hawaii hotels on low,low rates....never paid over 250 for a room with Starwood and I have a balance of 130,000 points (enought for 10 free nights at any St. Regis in Italy which are Expensive places). They have the EXCLUSIVE "W" hotel chain that is, in my opinion, the most outstanding hotel on the market. Also, they have a very generous point program and they only take 10 stays for Gold and 25 for Platinum...STAYS NOT NIGHTS and they have a lot of hotels that are low level hotels that are high in service that take few points for free nights. (A little more to say). Westin and Sheraton have awesome "Club levels" and "Westin guest office rooms" that are private,offer a nice lounge with good food, and private floor access. At Starwood they have your preferences on profile and the hotel LOOKS at them ACTUALLY and handle u with the respect a person deserves. So, basically,( if u don't know already), I think Starwood is the best on the market so u got my opionion,probably more than u wanted though. Happy hunting and Don't u love CO first class service? NW first sucks but I am MEM based and they are more convenient. Ciao

[This message has been edited by NW,CO,TW only (edited 06-05-2000).]