Ozstamps,

I will easily top 200,000 miles this year. Add to this a couple of transpacific and intra-asia award flights, I am not going to even begin my additons.

Although UA only gives 1K with actual flying miles or 100 segments, American and Continental credits business/first class bonus miles towards achieving their respective elite status. This makes a very noteworthy difference. I just found out that AA even credits its elite bonus miles on some other OW carriers such as CX; this, in effect, enables me to achieve AA Platinum with much more ease than actually flying 50,000 miles. ( Even though, I am now trying to get AA Platinum status comped so that my requirement would even get lower for next year!)

I normally achieve my 1K status by flying just over 100,000 *A carrier miles, when there is no further benefits to be received by being 2K. ( In fact, one of the NRT concierges recently reprimanded me of being a promiscuous flyer, having seen my handsome steel One Pass Platinum tag attached to my carry-on. I simply said to her, if UA was going to give me 12 Systemwides, I would be happy to just stick to them with a smile. )

I prefer to fly Continental in N. America and Mexico with their extensive and convinient schedules out of EWR and their unlimited UG opportunities. But I would never fly their narrow-bodies on transcons.
Yet their BF products is far superior to C class of UA. IMHO.

Yes, Oz, I am on the ground alot. I think it is alot harder to achieve top-tier status by segments what with all their airport transfers and connections, etc and my hats off to fellow FTers who do so. I think you might find out that a quick long-haul intercontinental flights actually reduces the chance of jet-lags on your upcoming DUS run. Do let me know...

I must admit though that I love flying but never imagined that I would be doing so this much. That's why I treasure seating comforts and wonderful lounge facilities as much as the convenient schedules and upgrade opportunities, thereby the importance of the top-tier elite status on several carriers.

Finally, where do all my miles go? I am happy to give premium class trip gifts to my family.



[This message has been edited by Kaoru Kanetaka (edited 10-29-2000).]