[I'm sorry to mention this again] but as HR Director, I had responsibility for the Travel Department amongst other things.

I spent hours each year listening to people who thought they should have Comp Elite status with one airline or another.

I have heard every argument you can imagine, and every kind of response from the airlines.

Most European airlines just don't comp. But the US airlines do it all the time. CO & UA even have pre-printed forms for "instant Elite status" which they issue to Travel Agents and people who dictate corporate travel patterns.

What I never told my colleagues is that Comped Elite is nowhere near as "beneficial" as 'phoning your Account Manager at the Airline or Travel Agent and telling them you are travelling - that way the really try to look after you and 'flag' you as a VIP. Much better that Elite status.

But this is a subject I hold dear to my heart!