I know I am going to get reprimanded for posting this question (probably for multiple reasons).

However, I did a search and couldn't find anything substantial or current.

Has anyone defected from CO over to AA? I am in the NJ/NYC area and keep seeing all of AA's weekly specials over CO.

How does it work? I am a CO Plat. What will AA comp you to? Is it best to do it at the beginning or end of the year?

Any info would be appreciated. Does anyone have the contact info for the desk at AA that does this?

Thanks

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EWR CO Platinum

AA rarely comp their top tier (EXP). You will be very lucky if they comp you the Platinum (their middle level).
However, you can do their "challenge". Search AA forum and there are many discussion about either Gold or Platinum challenge. I used to think the best time to do it is at the beginning of the year. But someone told me if you do the challenge now, your status will last until the following syear. You need to verify this with AA though.

I once asked AA to match my Plat Status from Co, and they asked for my commitment first that I fly AA 10,000 miles before they automatically gave me status. While this seemed fair, even 10,000 would be brutal without any status of coach seats in rows 30, no pre-boarding, and such I couldn't bear and never pursued it.

Not for nothing, flying 10k miles on AA in coach, IMHO, is far better than requalifying on CO in coach (as I have personally been doing as of late.)

The harder it is to get an upgrade as a Silver, the more enticing it is to look for a more comfortable coach cabin....

Do a search on the Flyertalker "FewMiles" who has the unofficial guide to the gold and plat challenge linked to his FT signature. It's a very good information link if you are going to do the challenge. it should answer many of your questions. I'm still waivering on doing this based on what additional enhancements CO implements for the 2003 year.

Here is the link to the Unofficial AAdvantage site. There's lots of great info and suggestions here.

http://members.shaw.ca/fewmiles/AA/

If you are:

CO Silver: AA will suggest you take the Gold/Plat challenge.

CO Gold: AA will suggest you take the Gold/Plat challenge.

CO Plat: AA might comp you Gold. You're better off doing the Plat challenge.

I did the Plat Challenge in 1 month this year. I have been extremely pleased with AA, and I was defecting from DL! I can only imagine the exponentially higher degree of happiness you will get defecting from CO.

Per AAdvantage Customer Service today, they only match United status. Other carriers' elite customers may take a Platinum or Gold Challenge. Welcome to request an exception by mail: Response to CO/DL/NW top level elites may be to offer AA Platinum (if flight volume and revenue patterns merit); but entry and mid-tier elites from carriers other than United will be limited to Challenges.

IF AA will comp (big IF right now, as AA is trying to maintain a certain level of earned status or so I've heard), it's equal to about 1/2 of your current status.. Above is about correct except as CO Gold, I was offered an AA Gold comp (50K miles on CO vs 25K on AA). A CO Plat who flies more than 100K might get AA Plat (100+K vs 50K). And never to ExexPlat (AA's 100K status).

I did the AA Plat Challenge last month and completed it in one long flight (and it wasn't even an AA flight!). My AA Plat status is good thru 2/04. Have decided to let my CO status drop from Gold to Silver this year (same with the little Fishes), but Mr Fish was able to maintain both CO and AA Plat. I'd be happy to help if you have any more questions! (You might want to check in the AA forum for JonNYC, our #1 CO->AA authority).

Robin

Robin

When I quit flying CO, I got comped to PremEx on UA and mentioned that status and CO Plat status to AA. I got comped to AA Plat (no challenge) and the letter said they were doing it because of my UA status. No mention of CO at all.

I inquired about a status match with AA last year (Aug 2001). I was CO Gold at the time.

The rep on the phone told me I would be comped to AA Plat without a problem...or I could do the challenge. Since the Comp was a once-in-a-lifetime thing I chose to do neither.

I suggest you keep calling until you find someone to give you the answer you want. AA will comp CO Gold to AA Plat, you simply have to find the right person.

I was awarded Gold with AA because of TWA activity (due to HP flights), and then was comped to PLT once I asked them why I should use the Gold on AA when my Gold benefits on CO were better. They immediately comped it to PLT to match the CO Gold. Didn't know it was that hard to get AA comped.

And remember, with AA once you rack up 1mm miles (flying, credit card, hotel stays, car rental -everything but bonus miles) you get the unpublished benefit of Gold for life. 2mm gets you Plat for life. No EXP for life at this time..

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Not sure where I'm going, but I'm getting there fast.