I disagree. It gives a very specific end date for the SkyTeam relationship. That is pretty significant.

There are certainly plenty of other questions that still need to be answered, but that doesn't negate the value of this email at this time.

Plus, I think it helps soften the blow of LK's comment today, which may have slipped out a little earlier than planned.

They did this so that we didnt announce it ourselves next week during the DO after talking to everyone. Just means there will be a bigger announcement for the DO! :)

I'm guessing October 25 will be the first day of subterranean and submarine flights?

I might if they ever got me anywhere. My last 4 flights on NW were all mx'ed into oblivion.

In a UA flyer's post, they were referred to as rats. I will miss the World Clubs and the CRCs which, along with PCs, are the best airline clubs in the US. I have never seen an RCC that wasn't a total dump. And their bars are cash bars with surly bar staff. With the SkyTeam clubs, almost every airport in the the US had at least one good club available for SkyTeam cardholders to use. I certainly hope that CO will maintain the quality of the PCs and not fall to UA's standard.

I look forward to Star Alliance..It seems to offer more than Skyteam..:D

I don't think it will necessarily be a problem. You'll have a few carriers to mix and match in *A and should be able to find seats for the trip, even with only 5-6 months advance warning. That being said, I'd start trying for the KE redemption prior to the change. Confirmed seats are always better than the potential for seats on a different carrier. I don't know that you'll necessarily find them 11 months out, but it is worth trying.

Question: If you requalify for elite before 10/24/09, will you be given both Skyteam and *A status? Or will you have to choose one / default to *A? Would it be possible to maintain Skyteam for 2010?

Will it matter on whom you earned those miles? If they "split" the miles based on which airline you earned them, could you possibly lose out on status for 2010?

It is right to assume that if you earn status (or increase your status) after 10/25/09 that this will count for *A?

It will be interesting to see if and/or how CO integrates the UA-style Premier Associate. I'm betting against it.

Can someone ask this at the DO IV? I've been stuck on the waiting list since the day it filled.

I imagine that your CO elite status will be recognized at the corresponding SkyTeam level only through October 24, 2009; thereafter, whatever status you hold will be recognized by the Star Alliance and not SkyTeam effective whenever CO "promptly" transitions into the former.

You earn elite status on Continental. Up to 10/24/09, that CO elite status is recognized by Skyteam partners. After CO joined *A, that CO elite status will be recognized by *A partners.

You don't earn status on any particular alliance. You only earn status on CO.

Now now! There are some ACCEPTABLE RCCs out there. You just have to across the Pacific Ocean to get to them...

Is there any specific I should be doing different in aticipation of this change?

Other than making your personal decision as to the value of ST vs. *A benefits, nothing I can think of.

If ST works better for you, probably credit your remaining CO flights before 10/24 to DL/NW. If *A works better for you, credit your CO flights and any NW/DL/other ST flights before 10/24 to CO. If you're flying enough to get desired status in both alliances, balance it out however you prefer.