Hi All,

I just got my Amex Centurion this year and have all the elite statuses that accompany it. I also upgraded my MP Visa to Plat that will get me 10,000 EQMs for this year. I have two trips already planned for this year as follows: LAX - FRA - AMS and returning MXP - FRA - LAX in May which should net me around 9,000 more EQMs plus I have an additional trip planned for Dec which roundtrip is 5000 EQMs. Total anticipated EQMs for the year earned are 24,000 +/-. My May flight is paid business (z) and my Dec is paid econ with upgrade by miles.

I figure if I status match to Prem Exec before my trip in May I will get 150% of the EQM miles which should yield the following:

2006 Prem Exec (matched or challenge)
2007 Prem (minimum).

So this causes me to have two questions:

1. Am I best off requesting a challenge and making May my challenge month? If so, will they ignore a trip for which tickets are already bought and paid for before my challenge month began?

2. If I request a status match, my statements for CO and US will both show Gold status with 0 miles. My DL status will show Gold with 225,000 miles but no YTD Qualification Miles.

I don't have any of my Airline cards but I suppose if recommended by you guys I could call and request new ones be sent to me.

So, please give me your advice on what I should do if anything.

Thanks!

J.