Originally Posted by
CO_Nonrev_elite
Where this breaks down for many people is that once you acheive all the benefits that elite brings you at Continental, then you go off to another carrier and travel with zero status and zero benefits when you could be using the status and benefits that you already have on Continental.
Not so, other airlines will often comp' people to the second highest elite level. AA comp'd me to Platinum; DL bumped me up to Gold, but warning--Delta is slow. By the time they got me to Gold, I had already earned it--it takes many weeks for them to provide the credentials. Interestingly, while AA didn't need evidence that I flew--they had a platinum challenge--DL told me to FAX a statement from either carrier "it doesn't matter." [sic] I think they have to be wrong (I sent them AA), I don't think they'd match my status on CO--at least I believe that CO doesn't match NW or DL.
Originally Posted by
CO_Nonrev_elite
Lastly, for me there is more to it than just accumulatiing status. I want comfort, convenience etc, and when Continental offers me a nonstop on most of my trips, it makes no sense to go and connect on another carrier just to build status. I spend enough time on a plane as it is
If you're based in EWR, IAH or CLE, I can see sticking with Continental. I am in LAX, so AA or even UA is a better choice for direct flights. In my case, connections don't bother me. I was worried about losing some of the intangibles too; after switching, I also discovered that those benefits aren't worth the opportunity cost of giving up things like SWU's or elite-for-life on other carriers. If a flyer has a choice, I can’t seeing it making any sense to stick with Continental once he or she hits Platinum while foregoing benefits on other carriers.