Ugh, the dreaded IAH-EWR route! When I lived in Houston I always used miles to upgrade myself b/c I never got upgrades as a Gold member. I go to NY twice a year and always flew IAH to Newark. Next week I am flying to NYC through Cleveland to LGA. Even with the plane change, I am glad it isn't the IAH-EWR flight!

I'm in the Detroit area now (Ann Arbor area) so just about any route begins with the equally dreaded ERJ flight, unless I fly through Houston, which I do regularly. But it would be easier for me to use Northwest, now, or Midwest Express. I know we get miles on CO for NW but the rules are ridiculous. When CO began basing everything on fares instead of miles flown, I think the Elite program went downhill. Last year I flew to London from Detroit via Houston 1st class and flew every month of the year. I was so much closer to Gold than Silver. I should've stopped flying CO when I hit Silver and started a new program on another airline. All those extra trips to hit Gold are for nothing. And I paid extra to fly CO from Detroit.

If I thought anyone would listen to my logic (who knew my father in law would die and prevent me from my last flight?) I would try to appeal to someone at the Elite program. We're both losing out- I'm not a Gold member any longer and they aren't getting much of my business this year. When I think of the money I spent last year at Continental, it makes my head ache! Not only that, but I had my hubby fly CO, and my father and cousins!

I'm enjoying Midwest Express, maybe that is worth a change. I mean, the space between Silver and Gold at CO Elite is pretty huge, and I was short ONE flight. I think the fare changes put the nail in the coffin for me. Still, if I were put back as Gold I would go back to every flight on CO, but I don't see it happening.