Hello all:

I could use some expert advice. My wife and I are interested in doing the platinum challenge. Assuming that most of the time we fly together and are each unlikely to be able to retain our platinum status after the challenge-reward period terminates:

1. does it make sense for us to stagger the years in which we each do the challenge? the advantage to this that i see is that, so long as one of us is platinum, (s)he could upgrade us both on the same itinerary. am i missing something here or, alternatively, is there any advantage to us performing the challenge simultaneously? (The plan is to earn the miles on a single R/T from LAX-LHR at a fare basis that provides 1 EQM:1 Actual mile flown.)

2. my reading of this forum suggests that a challenge performed before June 16th of this year would confer Plat status until Feb 08, while one performed after June 16 would confer Plat status until Feb 09... yet, despite this, a number of people seem to be beginning their challenges now. Is there a reason for this (other than insanity or, perhaps, their certainty that they will be able to retain status in the future)?

thanks again, I know i'm a beginning among the experts - a minnow among sharks - but i have tried to research these questions as thoroughly as possible before posting here and taking up everybody's time...

thank you!