Originally Posted by LonLH
- CO might comp us since we are both BA golds/ LH golds (even though we do not have any status with any US carriers since we don't live in the US at the moment), so we will start from Gold rather than base and should make Plat in 3-6 months (it takes 4 C round trips to the UK from IAH with a UK address which gives 200% EQMs).
They may well comp you directly to Platinum but there is no guarantee. Essentially if you have more than 75K EQM equivalent in some other program in the last 12 months you have a good chance, particularly if that includes some J/F travel.
Originally Posted by LonLH
- The only downside is 200% for transcon F with Onepass- at the moment, the only carrier which offers F in the routes we might fly is AF. I would rather fly LH/BA than AF if I am flying F.
What's more, AF F is not available for awards using CO miles (though you can certainly pay for it and earn Onepass miles). KL also flys IAH-AMS and can be useful. CO flies nonstop from IAH to LGW, CDG and AMS, and you can connect in EWR to 20 other European destinations. CO's BF product is not bad.
Originally Posted by LonLH
- I assume that CO Golds have a reasonable chance of upgrade on CO metal intraUS on Y tickets.
Depends what you mean by 'reasonable' and 'Y'. On full Y fares any CO elite can upgrade subject to availability at the time of ticketing. On discount Y fares this is not true - you have to wait and hope for upgrade availability within the last few days before the flight. CO flights out of IAH seem to be relatively easy to upgrade as Platinum, or as Gold if you fly outside peak hours (except to the main business destinations like LAX/SFO/EWR/CLE/NYC/BOS and a few other routes where people buy F, like LAS). I have managed 3 in 10 upgrades on BOS-IAH as gold this year (as well as 2 in 3 on other routes out of IAH and 3 in 3 on Northwest where CO elites also get complimentary upgrades). Out of EWR upgrades are much more difficult, even for Platinum, especially on transcons to LAX/SFO/SEA/... .
Originally Posted by LonLH
- I also assume that we can access CO lounges if we are CO Elites while flying CO on cheapo intra US tickets.
Not if you are not a Presidents Club member. This is the main difference between North American-based FF programs and other FF programs - elite status does not get you lounge access on domestic itineraries (upgrades instead). However, you can always buy a PC membership (under $300 per year for Platinum) or it sounds like you'll get one free with an EU address.