In 1999 I didn't travel much at all until June, and the two trips I made early in the year were both award tickets (probably a bad move). So I've struggled to keep my Premier on UA, which I will make at the end of this weekend's mileage run. Also I got comped to CO Silver, which I haven't even come close to requalifying for.

For 2000, I'm anticipating 50,000 miles or a little more. I could probably maneuver almost everything onto UA and get PE back, which I was 2 years ago, or split it up with CO and get Silver thru 2/2001. Once in a while I have to take a trip on DL or AA or US, but probably no more than 2 trips every 3 years on each.

I see no reason to drop my emphasis on Starwood. Currently I'm Gold through 8/2001, and trying to finagle Platinum with a promotion. I suppose I could go back to Marriott (which I've stayed at about 5 times in 1999 anyway) if I don't get the Platinum on Starwood and not worry about Starwood until 2001, but I like their hotels too much (which is , I guess, the point of this whole enterprise).