Originally Posted by
thezipper
I think from an integration of databases, confusion between programs, etc. It would be tough to pull off mid-year, not saying that it couldn't be done, just ALOT of work would need to be done upfront...
From a database/systems point of view I can see the logic of waiting until a March 1st to officially close one system and migrate everyone over to the other system.
However that is a back end consideration. Once the merger is approved there is no legal reason that each airline can not adjust their own programs to make them converge to a common set of rules/practices/etc...
Right now there are so few difference between the two that only a little tinkering of either would make it match the other. I would not be surprised if soon after the merger is given legal approval, that each airline notifies their elites of changes in their respective programs AND that reciprocal upgrades will be honored, etc etc....and that they will receive new "SkyMiles" credentials with the next year.