Which FF Prog for 2009
 

Hi Folks,
Not sure which forum to post this in, but as a primarily Continental flyer, I figured I start here.

I just moved to LA from Houston (where I lived for 7 years). I will still be flying multiple trips to ever changing destinations each week. In the past I have just chosen 1 carrier from each alliance, and allocated my miles to that designated carrier. With Continental joining star, I am trying to best choose my programs for 2009. I will finish 2008 roughly as follows:

Continental 140,000 EQM
United 77,000 EQM
American 17,000 EQM
Southwest about 35 segments

I have not had the time to digest the news (if there has been any) on how the plan is for Continental's entry into star, so I am undecided on which carrier to choose for this. I far prefer Continental's product to United

j

I would continue to fly CO and credit my miles into their program unless you have strict corporate booking policies. If you fly intra-CA you can always fly United and credit the miles to CO once they enter the Star Alliance.

I have not had the time to digest the news (if there has been any) on how the plan is for Continental's entry into star, so I am undecided on which carrier to choose for this. I far prefer Continental's product to United


It sounds to me like CO decision to move to *A is a big bonus for you since you will be able to continue to travel when possible on your preferred carrier, but will be able to use UA out West when needed and still credit miles to OP. Lucky you!

I'd fly on AS for CO credit now or WN for convenience. Then credit from UA flights later in the year, assuming it happens by then. It will be late Q3 or Q4 most likely when they make the move. The absolute earliest it can be is late July based on 9 months from the DL/NW deal close date of late October.

IF the OP maintains that much flying, he/she can actually be both 1K and CO Plat and still fly on CO as much as possible. That would be the best of both worlds: fly a lot on CO, but have the 1K upgrade instruments when required for UA metal flights. This will definitely be possible from 2010 but mixing flights between UA and CO early in the year and then crediting to whichever program needs the extra EQM whenever you fly either airline later in the year might make it achievable in 2009 also.

Don't forget about million miler so might want to focus on CO or just one airline to get some lifetime status...