Rollover Question
 

Currently a FO and will fiish with approximately 42K-45K miles this year. I would think it would be better to stay as an FO for 2013 with 17K rollover miles and if I duplicate my miles I will be Gold for 2014.

So the question - is there anything wrong with my thinking? Is there a real reason to get an extra 8K miles this year and be Gold?

Is it better to be an FO with 17K miles in the bank or Gold with 0 carryover?

It really depends on your flying pattern. Will you get more benefit of being a GM next year with how you fly? Such as, improved upgrades, free SDC and EC seats, and SkyPriority for security and boarding.

IMO a lot depends on the likely timing of your travel next year. If you will earn a lot of MQMs, say 30,000 during January and February, then having 20,000 rollover would get you two years of Gold at very little sacrifice. OTOH, if you would not earn Gold until late next year even with rollover, but you especially have some international coach travel before then, getting Gold now is very valuable.

That is a very good point. I forgot you get new status the day you reach the threshold so if I do rollover 17-20K miles I can be Gold the minute I fly the necessary miles. In essence I can be Gold for 18 months at that point.

If you reach Gold in December, you get fourteen months, to the end of the following February. However, if you reach Gold in January, you can enjoy it for 25 months.