I hold no elite status in CO, although they provided me sans request a comp to Silver this past summer as well as a challenge to same. I failed to act upon it as I was not interested. My wife has been Gold for the last 3 years. I have roughly 30,000 miles in CO and about 145,000 in AA due to my cashing in two MR prior to Marriott's change in their program a couple of years ago. The remainder is what remains in CO having cashed in my miles for two R/T UC tix on VS at standard redemption levels, even though I neither hold, nor held, any elite status in CO. In fact, the only time we have ever had to use a EasyPass award -- mine or my wife's account -- is an upcoming trip for me from San Diego to EWR. And, if a first or Coach seat becomes available within the next 30 days, I will gladly take the $35 penalty for either less points to be used in either First or Coach. That is how one works within they system, even if the system is slanted towards elites. When I plan to use my AA miles, I will study AA's program and see where my best use of miles is: whether in obtaining upgrades on cheap fares, or reward tix from the outset for all my miles. For now, I am content in seeing those miles not threatened by bankruptcy.

With respect to Aprirchick's comments, even though CO is most convenient for me, I failed to take them up on either their challenge or their comped status for the time it was in effect.

That should provide you with an answer concerning whether CO's OnePass program holds any special place in my heart. I have none for any program, personally, although I do track the developments for my wife's status. Thus far, those changes will not affect her travel patterns, and in fact, will likely help to make her attain platinum next year.

By the way, no one has pointed this out before so I will do so. Many have mentioned that CO's actions are an attempt to harmonize its program with that of Delta's and from where I sit, there is evident sense behind this statement. But no one has pointed out that CO's action vis a vis segments also harmonizes -- at least for those Y class and above travelers -- a salient feature with NW's WorldPerks program. Right now, WorldPerks offers Elite status in the following manner -- 20/40/60 segments -- while CO's (and most everyone elses) is 30/60/90. By rewarding the high roller/last minute traveler with the 2 points per segment bonus, CO brings its program vis a vis segments more into line with NW's generous one with respect to segments, so it may not make a difference which airline you choose to align your loyalty towards.

As I have noted, I do not know enough about NW's program to see how a NW elite is treated when flying CO metal or whether being a NW elite is more advanatageous than a similar status in CO, but at least for now, being a CO elite means more CO miles which translates into more miles for reward redemption on VS which is something we often do, and which one cannot do (at least not right now) with WorldPerks miles.

As for Jon NYC's where's the beef comment, well the observation about that other fellow from NJ holds true with respect to him, as well, to some extent, for I believe you abandoned CO a long time ago. With respect to your other comments, well, you might not agree with my assessments, but some brave individuals do on this thread, as well, and they intend to stick with CO in the coming year, which is more than can be said for you.

[This message has been edited by NJUPINTHEAIR (edited 09-21-2003).]