Originally Posted by Aphrodite91
Wow, thank you so much. That's the solution. I can't believe I didn't think of status matches. I worked it all out. I will fly to Europe using an AA partner (LAX-Europe is far), gain Platinum status via challenge, then get a status match on CO or NW, maintain the status next year and then just get a status match with UA once I move to Australia. This is excellent.
There could be a problem with you flying to Europe with an AA partner.
Be careful if you fly British Airways, because the amount of elite qualification points you receive depend on the fare class you paid for. It is the same for Aer Lingus,
Finnair, and
Iberia.. Also, the AA challenge (Platinum as well as Gold) is based on the amount of [/b]POINTS[/b] you receive and not on the miles flown. Each fare class receives different amount of elite qualification points.
Also, the status match is a one-time deal. Once you ask UA (or any other airline) for a status match they will not do it again, so use it wisely. Also, depending on when you submit your status match request to NW, Continental, or UA your elite status "length" will vary -- you could have the status granted to you for a few months or a year. See the respective boards for the airline on FT if you have questions or consult the Status Match Master Thread.