I have seen in the posting a number of persons who have received complimentary upgrades to an airlines elite level, based upon that persons elite level in a competitors program (ie DL will comp you to GM if you are a AA Platinum Advantage etc).

I have never done this myself, but I may have to fly on Delta or NW this upcoming year, and I would like to receive the benefits of elite status on DL or NW.

As I commute back and forth between LAX and SJC, I would also like to obtain elite status on United so that I can take the shuttle when AA is sold out, and still recieve the elite level mileage bonuses.

I am currently a DL silver Medallion, but since I have not flown a single trip on DL in 1999, for 2000 I will be but a mere mortal

I am currently (and will also be for 2000) an AA Platinum as well as a Southwest Companion level (100+ flight credits).

Is there any specific process to go through, and are there any key term, phrases, words, etc. which I should know about to correctly inform DL etc. that I really am worthy of elite status on their airline?

Also, is it possible to obtain a comp status for the hotel programs? For the few times I stay at a hotel (generally overseas), I would like to stay in the concierge level etc.

Thanks for as much guidance as possible.

My son got his elite comps by writing to the VP Marketing of the airline, enclosing a copy of the competitor's statement showing elite level. You can get name and address from the airline. My husband and a cohort got theirs through the corporate travel agent. My husband has been comped for hotel but without asking. You can be Silver in Hilton HHonors by getting their Amex Optima card (free! - and you get points for applying).

onedog,

Call the airline from which you desire elite status, tell them you are AA Platinum and Southwest Champion (apt description for anybody who can edure that!) and that you are changing your flight patterns and need to find an airline with better routing through Chicago for UAL and Minneapolis for NWA (you just tell them one or the other). Go on to say that it wouldn't be fair if you were comparing UAL (or NWA) standard mileage member benefits to the benefits you have become accustomed to as a Platinum member of AA, so would they be so kind as to extend complimentary UAL PremEx or NWA Gold, so you could give their airline a fair test?

Then have your statements ready to fax. I faxed mine in and had approval in literally hours.

CAUTION do not get comped on airlines unless you truly believe you can requalify the next year or plan to give up flying them after the first year. This is a one-shot deal, so pick and choose wisely.

P.S. If you are commuting From LAX to SJC why don't you go for Alaska-----The Best Little Airline on West Coast and take advantage of all the amazing benefits that accrue to AS MVP Gold status and while you are at it, pick up an Alaska Platinum Visa and be doubly, triply blessed with goodies.

[This message has been edited by Punki (edited 11-22-1999).]

Punki,

Thank you for the cautionary advice. I don't want to use up a one shot chance for just a few flights.

Also, I will have to look into Alaska Airlines. I have flown Alaska previously and have read good things.

Also, I believe that I can earn AA miles which count towards AA elite status? I will research the elite status issue as we all know that this is very important

When I was going to change from TWA to UA or AA (I wasn't sure which), I called UA prepared with my big story like you described. The lady was unaffected and said dryly, "Just fax us a letter with your MP number and attach your most recent TWA statement and a copy of the front of your Elite 1 card and the MP department will decide what to give you". I think my letter was 3 lines long and it said that I was going to change patterns, blah blah. I guess it worked because they comped TWA Elite 1 (40k) to PremEx (50k). I called AA and they said the same thing - write a letter. So save your sob story for the letter, and just call to get the fax number .

I just did the same thing with NW. I got the same "canned" response from the CS agent I spoke with, but she politely gave me the fax number so I could plead my case in writing. This was last Friday, and of course I have not heard back yet, but she did indicate that this is a good time of year to be requesting such things, as after the first of the year is usually fiiled with previous Elite's pleading because they did not make the level they expected.

I've been trying for the past 3 weeks to get AA to comp me to Platinum based on my UA 1K status. I faxed my material and have called them twice. They told me they signed me up for the Gold challenge - big deal!

I anticipate around $15K in travel I would be bringing AA's way over the next 6 months. They don't seem interested. I'm thinking of moving the business to DL since they serve the routes I will be traveling and would probably comp me more easily. Any thoughts?

My thought is that American Airlines is bucking to compete with Northwest for lowest level of customer service. I've heard nothing but bad about their domestic service with the exception of 3-class transcons.

MileKing: Especially in view of their apparent recent attention to "Customer Service" and the general deterioration in AA service reflected in these posts, I'd go with DL.
Besides, I never have liked AA.

[This message has been edited by philforest (edited 11-23-1999).]

onedog: Yes, miles you fly on Alaska can be credited to your AAdvantage account and count toward elite status. American & Alaska are pretty cozy, which seems pretty funny to me since American took over Reno and so now has the Reno routes competing with Alaska....

Alaska is a very good airline, one of the few domestic with service comparable to most foreign carriers. Even CSA, the Czech Airline, is quite good- and serves a hot meal with great Czech beer on the short PRG-LHR flight. And Ruzyne airport is nice as well...

Wish that Alaska had a better First Class in terms of seat comfort, but can't argue with their food and the geniune friendliness of their F/As.

Are there any airlines that are willing to match AA's Platinum Challenge. Like, fly the 16,000 miles in 90 days to qualify for middle-tier elite?

Im a first timer but far from a last timer.Next wk will make plat. once again with Twa past 3 yrs over 100k per year actual miles.However you can keep them. Delta comp. me a silver any ideas how to get at least gold(that way 2x on the miles).Ive the posts about the amex caed but it will take some time and I went and booked an intl. res already Im not looking to use any other carrier since I fly intl each of my trips is over 15000 actual miles if not dl than aa but dl I can get upgd each time and still have more miles in the acct at the end of the yr than what I started with at the beginning of the yr.

Has anyone ever been comped to AC's Super Elite level? I am currently a Platinum on CP.

Regards,
Empress