But I've noticed that US carriers don't seem to include lounge access for domestic flights as part of the benefit package they give their elite customers, whereas BMI Diamond does seem to give their elites lounge access with BMI-operated lounges plus *Alliance members (e.g. UA) have to give BMI elites access to UA-operated lounges for free. So, wouldn't it make more sense to go with BMI? Or am I misunderstanding something? I should add that I'm actually looking for comp'd status as a stopgap for a year. I'm going to continue using my Aeroplan number for *Alliance flights and hope to reach Elite again in 2007.