A first time post, and a question for Star Alliance experts.
I reached Gold on TG this year. I will be flying AKL-LHR-AKL before the end of the year, (approx. 24,000 miles) and will be flying the same route probably two or more times in 2002. There are several *A carriers which fly this route, and I will use one of them, economy class, cheapest fare available.
I am told that miles earned in the remainder of 2001 will not count to retaining Gold status on TG. So I am thinking of joining another *A programme in order that the miles I fly in the remainder of 2001 count toward status, and then I would accumlate miles with the new programme throughout 2002 in order to achieve status in that new programme.
Two questions. First, which *A programme is recommended, eg, are the differences over accumulation periods given that I will accumlate some of mileage this calender year, and some of it in the next calender year. Secondly, and most importantly, can I still use the benefits of TG Gold but accumulate the miles on another programme? For example, I am flying close to Xmas, and will need the priority waitlising that *A Gold gives. Can I get the priority waitlisting, but accumlate the miles on another programme? In other words, can I enjoy the privileges of *A Gold at the booking and check-in stage, yet earn miles for a *A programme in which I will have no status? And finally, can I use the complemtary upgrade given by TG Gold on a flight on which I am accumulating miles on another programme?
Hope someone can help.