Originally Posted by
convert
Sorry for the confusion, I do care about elite status, but do not fly enough to get 1K or platinum on AA. Yet I don't want to fly 4 different airlines and accumulate nothing.
I have fortunately reached a point in my life were I can afford and have the time to see 3 international places a year (anyhwere form Italy Egypt, Vietnam to Argentina).
Thanks
if i were you i would wait until i were about to head on one of your vacations, purchase the ticket on aa (say to argentina) and before leaving, call and ask for a platinum challenge. this would give you platinum benefits for the remainder of the current plus the next year if you can fly 10,000 miles in a 3 month period. then you can earn double miles for the rest of the time you are platinum plus you can use your upgrade credits for upgrading domestically (when you can get them to clear). also, if you plan your trips in advance you can use the extra mileage earning power as platinum to occasionally upgrade your international flights.
it's not perfect but in your situation i think it's the best alternative. plus, after having platinum you might end up with enough momentum to want to requalify for platinum by the end of 2009 (which only requires 50k miles).
i think this option would give you the most effective way to avoid economy from time to time.
remember, ba flights from the usa across the atlantic do not earn mileage so those would need to be on aa.