^

Aye. The burning question we'd all like answered.

AA offers DQM. UA is expected to match later today.

The real question is, will DL/NW. If so, this is going to make it very difficult for me as it would probably only take 35K EQM for me to qualify DL Plat or UA1K. The question is, which one, or should I try AA ex-Plat. :eek:

I really need an answer to that question.

Try EXP. I already have enough booked travel on CO/DL/NW through the next month to get me almost to CO Plat for 2010. I might try EXP after that just for the hell of it.

There is (or was, as of late last week) a $550a/i SFO-MIA-CUN F fare out there on AA. With DEQM bonus, it would earn 18,696 EQM in one go at 2.9cpm. On a Plat Challenge, that should be enough to hit Plat with one roundtrip to CUN in F, for under $600. ^

ETA - IIRC, Plat Challenge is based on Q-Points, and not EQMs. So if, Points aren't being doubled by the promo, you would still be very close to achieving the 10K needed for Plat Challenge in one flight. Could either supplement with one other flight, or try to route SFO-MIA-CUN as SFO-LAX-MIA-CUN, which should get you to 10K Points in one go.

The Significant Otter is scheduled to fly MSY-LAS on WN in several weeks' time. Perhaps I should send a camcorder with her, then sell the rights to "Kettles Gone Wild." :rolleyes:

I will remember to film some as well this Thursday....

MSY-LAS nonstop. That has got to be one of the most :rolleyes: domestic routes out there. Connecting two centers of sin and debauchery. :D

Ahhh yes indeedy!

I can not wait flying home somewhat sober on Monday morning on the 753 blue hair express. If I remember, I will count how many track suits and bowling jackets I see....

While I reallllyyyy do not want CO to match this silliness, I would certainly consider a status match to AA and taking AAdvantage of them. :)

Heh. Nothing says classy like a velour track-suit 1/4 unzipped at the top. Extra points if "Juicy" is tagged across the bum of some she-hippo.

CO Forum seems to have lots of stickies at the moment. :rolleyes:

Does AA make Status last earned year +1 if you do a challenge after a certain cut-off date (July something with CO, IIRC)? If so, and if the DEQM promo lasts beyond that date, you could snag Plat for $550 for 1.5 years, and get a vacation to CUN, to boot.

I agree that CO matching the dEQM is not a good decision over the long term for the benefit of the program or their customers who actually spend money and can fly. If everyone is special then no one is special.

That being said, I'm sure that I'd find a way to take advantage of such a promotion to boost my lifetime EQMs and accelerate my drive towards Platinum this year. It would make the ~$180 PHL-west coast runs absolutely ridiculous in terms of value (~1.4cpEQM/RDM with a gold/plat bonus).

Yes, they do, but the DEQM ends prior to that cutoff.