Switching HP Miles to CO?
 

Last year my dream came true and I won Gold Elite status on America West. Of course, two months later I got a job in Hong Kong where my gold status on HP is utterly worthless. Is there a way I can switch all of my 180,000 HP miles to my Continental account, and if so how do I do it? I'm a relative newbie, so your patience and kindess is much appreciated. Thanks!

Richard

Several years ago, I wanted to "move" miles from NW to CO, and was told it could not be done, as it would be in violation of some ANTITRUST rule.
Last year, I discovered that I had some "forgotten" miles on AmericaWest, and wanted to move them. Once again, I was told that miles cannot be moved from one airline to another.
Fly a few of those HKG flights, and you'll have status in no time at all!

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Mike Benson

Although there's no way to move your HP miles to CO, you can of course use them to claim reward travel on CO.

Also, you may be able to get CO to comp you to CO Gold Elite based on your HP status. They normally don't do this with HP or NW elites because of the reciprocal agreements, but they may be convinced in your situation because of your relocation. It's worth a try.

How about taking that gold status with HP and asking AA or UA to comp you Gold in their programs which they do easily. Then turn around and ask CO to comp you AA or UA status? Would that work?

Eric

Thanks for the suggestions. I was hoping against hope that CO would take my America West miles, and now I'm depressed. What I want to do is start buying HK - USA coach tickets on CO and use my HP miles to upgrade. But if CO won't let me exchange the miles, can I do that? (I told you I'm a newbie.) And when you say I should ask AA or CO to comp me gold status, where do I begin? Do I just call their offices here in HK and ask who to talk to? Should I go there in person and try to charm them? Again, pardon my ignorance here. Thanks truly.

Apparently, not. I just looked at the America West redemption charts on their web site, and apparently the only upgrades on CO that are available are those involving the 48 US states, Alaska, Canada, and Mexico. You could apparently get award travel (in coach or BusinessFirst) between HKG and the US using your HP miles, but then you'd not be earning miles for those flights.

It is very easy. What you do is call American and tell them your situation. You are a America West elite member and would like to be comped the same status on AA's program. If AA doesn't do it try Delta, or United or someone else ect... you should not have a problem with AA however. After you are comped status on AA, go ahead and call CO one pass and do the same over again, but this time use your AA account and dont mention your HP account. That should get you comped over to CO platinum if everything works well. Just remember, once you get comped, you cant use that again with the same airline.....


Hope this helps. I am trying to do the same, but wont do it until early 2002.


Eric

PHX/BDL

You can't comp a comp. The airlines want to see your elite statements from the previous airline before they'll do it.