So I am not nearly as frequent a traveler as everyone here (and never accrue flight miles since I always redeem CC miles) and I have a very rudimentary silly question...

I did actually accrue about 24,000 elite miles on CO this year and am wondering if it is worth it to take a joyride for no purpose other than to get the last 1,200 miles for 2009. Since I plan to fly very little next year, I am wondering if getting the status is worth it for upgrades on PHX-EWR-DUB route, which I will fly once (maybe twice)? Obviously no one can offer anything solid, but I'm in a pretty cheap mood these days and don't want to take the time off to fly nowhere if I'll be stuck in the same crappy seat.

Also, has anyone had any problems getting elite status on United now that CO is part of Star? CO seems to not fly anywhere near PHX, and I've been swamped, so I'd rather from PHX-DEN which barely qualifies me.

Thanks for helping a more novice flyer

First of all, welcome to FT!

IMO, probably not worth it if you only want to get status for the upgrades. Your probability of getting upgrades, especially through EWR, as a Silver Elite is extremely small.

If it's no trouble -- especially if you sign up for the DEQM promo & fly CO by Dec 15th -- it's worth it! Even if you are not after the EUAs -- the elite benefits -- check-in, priority baggage handling, elite security line, boarding privileges may come in handy.:-:

Silver is worth it for being able to click on the blue seats and priority boarding / first shot at bin space. Not much else. Any domestic F upgrades will be, um, unusual occurrences.

Also worth it for the baggage allowances.

Allow me to expand on my previous response. You state you plan to fly very little next year. Do a cost/benefit analysis. Number of times you plan to fly multiplied by what you would expect to pay in baggage fees per flight. If the result is less than (or even close to but perhaps higher than) the cost of the flight to achieve Silver elite, then go for it. If it is much more, then I stand by my assessment that it is not worth a few hundred dollars to be able to board first and have probably no chance at an upgrade.

1. The blue seats are not significantly better than the grey ones. And the frequent lack of an empty middle seat can make them worse. How valuable is this to you if you "plan to fly very little"?

2. Baggage fees only cost you for personal (non-business reimbursed) travel. And only when you happen to check a bag. How valuable is this to you if you "plan to fly very little"?

3. Check-in, boarding and security line privileges are overrated. How valuable is this to you if you "plan to fly very little"?

The value of any elite status is directly proportional to the amount of flying you do. I found that out this year as a Gold who only flew 6 flights, all business-paid. Yes, I got a few bonus miles, but I was never upgraded, and because it was business travel I would not have had to pay a checked-bag fee out of my own pocket anyway.

Since you "plan to fly very little" I have to respectfully disagree with those whose pat answer ("it's worth it") seems to ignore your stated "plan to fly very little".

Status on CO does not transfer over to UA, except that starting in mid 2010 you will be eligible for EUA's (complementary upgrades) on UA domestic flights. However, you will be below all other CO and UA elites. We haven't heard many of the increased benefits of the "close" UA/CO relationship, so there may be more benefits announced in the next few months. That's just speculation though.