I'm trying to reconcile the best of both world here. The opportunities for earning the most miles with various carriers is with OP. The majority of our leisure travel is most convenient with NW.

The best of both worlds would be to earn the miles with CO, and then transfer them to NW to purchase upgrades! I'm assuming this isn't possible, correct?

I read on the CO forum that CO doesn't issue upgrade awards, and that all CO upgrades are automatic, based on availability and status. I have the understanding that NW upgrades both by awards and availability, right?

I'm getting so frustrated by trying to figure this out that I'm ready to stay with HP! I think the airlines WANT to make this complicated...