I may be going a little overkill here, so I’m wondering what others would do…

Having been an AC Elite status flyer for many years and have already re-qualified for 2009 I now find, due to work, that more than half of my travel will originate within the US to mostly international destinations (some in J, most in discount Y). I thought I’d try a status match with AA – which I will complete for PLT next month.

Unfortunately, I don’t have much control over the flights that are booked (although so far I’ve managed to keep things to either oneworld or *A) – so – I now find myself ticketed on a few UA flights out of NYC (including a J class to from JFK-SYD).

My question: Knowing that most of my travel will originate in the US should I also try for a UA status match? Meaning I would have an AC*E an AA PLT and a United whatever should they decide to match me. (Regardless, if I credit my JFK-SYD flight to my Mileage Plus account -- given UA’s bonus elite mile promo right now -- I will make their lowest tier.)

However, I know my travel on AC will not suddenly stop, so should I just credit the UA trips to my AC/*G account and not spread things too much around? (Although I have entertained the thought of leaving AC for a little while…) Is it counterproductive to go for a higher status on another airline in the same Alliance?

Given strange travel patterns – especially when calling two countries home -- how many elite memberships is too many?

Thanks!

(P.S. Don’t worry – I’m not also going to try for SkyTeam… )