This was just discussed in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum35/HTML/002861.html

My $.02: if you're in Riverside (CA I presume), I think you'd get more use out of CO's program because America West flights count toward a CO account, but they do not count toward NW. If you're just starting to fly a lot, you should definitely focus your miles into a single account to earn elite status: that will give you free upgrades and bonus miles. Check out the Northwest, Continental, and America West forums-- you'll see lots of people mention Silver Elite, Gold Elite, Platinum, and Chairmans Preferred.

Welcome to the board!!

[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 03-19-2002).]