With Continental or Delta I figured I could transfer my American Express points over to just buy Elite access. 1 membership rewards point = 1 mileage point in these programs. And then going forward, I would just try to fly those airlines as much as possible for work and recreation.

My main interest in the elite status is upgrades to business class from economy, when those seats are available etc. Domestic and economy. I don't see myself paying $5K for a 1st class ticket to Delhi, but if 90% of those seats are going to empty, then I want an upgrade. So I want an airline that allows upgrades + has a decent amount of them available. Getting elite status for priority boarding or a special reservation line doesn't interest me.

Nearly all of my trips originate out of NY. As we used AA alot for the airpass program (which we are cancelling this month), it is a lot of Laguardia. For a CO flight, it would be Newark. Prob 65/35 LGA vs. Newark.

Don't really care about hotel card. I have the Park Hyatt card because I stay in Chicago alot and that's my favorite hotel. Otherwise I try to stay at Four Seasons or best hotel where I can get my corporate discount. (Miami: Delano, Vegas: Four Seasons, etc.)

My main focus here is to organize my travel/spending to take advantage of the loyalty programs. If that means switching from Amex Gold to Delta Reserve or something, I would do that. if it means switching from Amex Gold to Platinum to get upgrades will do that --- corporate wise, the Airpass program we are in is ending -- and I don't want to fly economy from Chi/NYC all the time.. if a Corporate Platinum card gets me upgrades, or Elite status on Delta does, I will do whatever is necessary (my office won't spring for full rack fare 1st class tickets, especially in this environment).

I've been reading the forum and getting overwhelmed. AA problem is I can't just roll over Amex points to them to get elite status overnight. And they have old planes. But appears they have most upgrades. Delta seems to be in the middle. And CO seems to have big fans, but it sounds like its really tough to get any sort of upgrade with them. AA fleet is real old, Delta seems in-the-middle, and CO is the best for now. But 1st class in any of those airlines is fine with me.

Perhaps my hopes for what Elite gets you is too high and I should be looking forward to cramped economy trips for a while!