Must depends on where you trave mostl, and where you want to go with your miles. This determines which is the best of your three carriers to get serious with.

With the takeover of TW by AA, you might consider flying a few segments or even mileage runs on those two carriers, and concerntrate on AAdvantage and oneworld benefits. You will at least receive the next level down next year, i.e. AAdvantage Gold. [Each of your carriers will demote you accordingly, down one tier for benefit year 2002/3.] Then see how your flying is in 2002, and if it is as bad as this year, after July 15th, 2002, register for the Platinum Challenge with AA. [Do a search under this heading in the AA Forum.] You will need to fly 10K in Q-miles within 90-days of registering to achieve Platinum for the balance of 2002/3, but will retain this elite status for all of the 2003/4 benefit year.

But earning 50K the old fashioned way is not all that difficult either, nor expensive, with an early year mileage run to Asia [about 20K for under $1000]. Then consider a couple of transAt weekend runs at $300 a shot from BOS which should yield another 20K. See, you're almost there!