I am currently an AA Platinum member who was offered the equivelant status in Onepass. The question is, should I move my business from AA to Continental? I will probably only be gold with AA next year, so the double miles with Continental would be tempting. However, I really enjoy not having to spend a Saturday night when redeeming an award with AA. How is Continentals website and should I switch. I fly between LGA/EWR and YYZ twice a month. Also, does one get free upgrades on Continental after flying 10,000 miles?

moeman,

That would depend upon your flying pattern, and also what's important to you.

It's really unfair to compare the bottom tier elite status that you'll have with AA next year with the 2nd tier status that you'll have with CO if you are comped. Remember, your comp is a once in a lifetime only thing!

What is your flying pattern? Do you fly a lot of international flights? If so, AA has a far superior international upgrade program...far fewer restrictions than CO.

OTOH, if most of your flights are domestic (and EWR-YYZ are considered "domestic"), CO has the major advantage of giving free upgrades!

You get free upgrades from Day One if they comp you with elite status! So...domestic upgrades vs. international upgrades...your call!

I like CO's website better than AA's. Seems easier to use to me. Concerning upgrades, on your EWR-YYZ routing CO runs 737 service. As a CO Gold Elite you have a pretty good chance of complimentary upgrades from discount coach fares 3 days out. No certificates. 10K miles upgrades only if you want to confirm at time of booking. Complimentary upgrades at time of booking on full fare coach. No more AA "stickers" to save and buy.

But it sounds as if you are going to decrease your flying in 2001 to less than 50K miles. (You might want to visit the Mileage Run Forum ) So, once your year of CO Gold Elite status is past, your upgrade frequency may be less. Elsewhere in the forum the Silvers are discussing their rate of upgrade. My perception is that there are a LOT of Silvers, just as there are a LOT of AA Golds.

Maybe someone can advise on the availability of award tix on your routing. A few spot checks with CO might tell you what likelihood you'll see of using award tix on your routing.

Is your intent to seek the comp now or to continue to fly AA this year and then to seek the comp late this year in hopes of getting CO Gold status for very late 2001 to Feb 2003?

The web site might be better... if it ever actually worked.

I fly mostly from NY to Toronto, about twice a month. I only fly Internationally once or twice a year. I was hoping for Continenatl to comp me so that I could earn double miles and get free upgrades. Then at the end of next year, I would do the Platinum challenge and resume flying American.

One last question can one upgrade on Continental with a bulk or heavily discounted seat?
Thanks,
Moe