[QUOTE=ozstamps;117824]The most helpful and useful thread I have seen all week gleff.

Have bookmarked it, as you are correct - this gets asked a LOT on FT.

And I'd like to reinforce your accurate observation:

Bear in mind that status matches are generally one-time only affairs -- so only request the match if you plan to use the status and re-qualify. Otherwise it's a future opportunity wasted.

I have seen instances where newbies have found FT, get all excited, run around to 4 airlines and get a shiny Gold card for no good reason other than they "can" and of course all 4 expired a year or so later. When they REALLY need the comp due to relocation etc, they are SOL.

Great information. I made this mistake with Continental - I thought it would last as long as my AC SE status. Now that I want to dump all United flights (so I don't sit in the very back with th efirst time flyers) I have less appealing choices.