I have been following the thread on "SE status being worthless".
I used to be a SE for over 5 years before I was downgraded to E due to change of travelling pattern. The last year I was SE I was quite satisfied with the benefits, that was 2004.
An upcoming trip to Toronto tomorrow will put me into E for 2007 and I am wondering if it's worthwhile going for SE, there is a good chance this year that I will make it to SE or my other option and thought is to just stay E on AC and start collecting another 50,000 miles either on TG or SQ and become Gold with one of those two airlines.
Does anyone have any advise or wisdom or even experience on doing this?

I think a lot depends on your expected flying patterns in 2007. If you'll be doing a lot of flying on AC, then I'd go for SE. There is a lot of talk about instant KK being the best benefit and it is a good one, but I actually find that the best benefit of being SE is that you are ahead of all the E's for upgrades (sorry E's).

If a good chunk of your flying will be on one of these other carriers, then there may be value in getting status with them too.

Most of my flying within Canada is to YYZ, YYC, YLW and YEG sometimes YXE.
However within Canada I always go for the T+ fare, so no expectations on upgrading within Canada.
Other destinations are HKG, BKK, SIN and MNL sometimes ICN.
Usually do the transpacific on AC and upgrade to J if possible, which I did on an upcoming trip to HKG end of this month. But for the return I bought a seperate ticket originating in BKK in J, last segment ICN-YVR is on AC but already in J anyway. All other segments are either SQ, TG and one on OZ.
That is mostly my pattern.
2007 won't change much. It looks like I will do most flying inernationally in J anyway except the domestic flights which I never even think of upgrading.
Just thought if I am TG or SQ gold I have more chances to get better service when in Asia as SE status in Asia means very little if nothing.
Also TG offers roundtrip upgrade once you reach gold, I am not sure from which class.

I generally book T+ for flights within Canada and the only difference I've noticed between when I was E and being SE was the one time they plucked me from my Y seat and moved me to J on an oversold flight. If your international travel is in paid J, then the higher priority for upgrades doesn't help much but if some travel is in Y, it might be worthwhile.

I can't comment on how the Asian carriers treat you as a *G versus being gold in their own program.

You get nothing more from SQ Krisflyer Gold than you already
have with AC......you need to be PPS with them and that entails F and J flights with them! ROP might be an interesting option but you might ask Sean the Pilot or the TG board!

AC has said, and are following through to ensure, that SE status is among the best in class. Having been and SE every year except for seven months I find the program and the features like concierge and instant KK to be superb. There are other benefits that are quietly given that also make it worthwhile.

I would go for SQ if you flies frequently in J class. You can aim for the Solitaire program which allows you to park miles to a different *A partner while counting your segments for PPS.

SE is worthless to you

Have you ever been SE?

No, but what does that have to do with me?

It is our friend needs and pattern that we are discussing here.

You are simply spouting BS because you don't really know what SE does or does not do and I believe you misread his flight patterns...he is a much more experienced flier than you are BTW

I say go for the SE, I think it's still one of the best programs out there... especially for the reward travel if that's your thing..

You live in Canada so the will probably have lots of chances to fly AC, besides support a Canadian company. An E telling you not to go for SE...might be out to reduce the SE ranks... . I say welcome to the club...

YEG_Flyer

True, I do not know all the SE stuff but I have quite an idea of it.

Have you talk to someone in PPS circle yet? So then how would you know that I am BS'ing? When you are tired of yours, we can talk like human instead of jumping up and down like monkeys.

[QUOTE=aaac]
yea well I haven't seen you show your talents yet.

I speak almost weekly with people who have status on many airlines...so what!!
I think the zoo has passed you by

If you will fly enough *A miles to top 100K in the balance of the year, I'd go for SE. If you get within 25K then a MR in December might be in order. If you don't get over 75K miles then I'd consider status on a 1 world carrier just to hedge my bets.

DF

I thought I had a good idea of what SE status was.I was an E for many years and am currently at Year 2 of SE and well on my way to make it 3 straight years.

The benefits of instant KK,concierge service and 100% bonus miles were never there as an E.I even get 2 SSWU's at 45kQ miles .
There is "SE stuff" that goes above what is noted like the secret handshake