As the year winds down and a review my miles and points accumulated for 1999, I am struggling with what I want to do in 2000.

I would very much like to be a 1k on United, but at present, I maintain MVP Gold on Alaska and Silver Elite on NWA in addition to being PremEx on UAL. That's a minimum of 125,000 flight miles, I fly about 150,000.

My initial idea was to drop NWA, get UAL 1K and keep AS MVP Gold. But here's the rub, if AS adds an MVP Platinum level, I will either have to make that or lose my top of the heap status with AS. In order to do both UAL 1k and Paltinum AS, I'd need to fly 200,000 miles or 200 segment, and that is more than I want to think about.

Decisions, decisions.

Also, dropping NWA status means they would start capping my credit card at $50,000.00 per annum. Maybe not a big deal if I can get another United affiliate card before 2001. Right now I max out my single UAL card way too often.

I have also decided to switch to Hilton as my primary hotel, with Marriott as a back up just because I have a much easier time getting a room when and where I want it with Hilton and always get upgraded, even though I was black with Marriott and Gold ('til 2099) with Hilton.

I'd be very interested in hearing your dilemas and plans for miles and points in the coming year.

I have been on the fence as well. I have been a very (too) loyal 1K for a number of years, however I think its time to spread my miles to see if the grass is greener on the other side so to speak. My 2000 plans are for approx. 180,000 to 200,000 base miles. I am leaning to switch some travel to NW using my CO One Pass program which seems to get high marks quite often. If I fly 75,000 with NW/CO, then I get their highest elite level which the local NW sales rep claims will benefit me more if I approach the 125,000+ mark, apparently "discrete perks" granted directly? Being a 1K with UA doesnt seem to help me much anymore, because my CTO's require travel on LAF (lowest available fare) and no client in their right mind likes paying for F or C full fare travel anymore in the real world. UA's 1K perks only seem to be a help when flying domestic vs. asian/pacific long haul (which is my main source of mileage). I am tired of being shot down for upgrades when at the gate knowing there are empty C & F seats that employees are filling (leaving me thinking what the hell is being a 100K flyer good for?). I do get some upgrades from time to time, but they seem to be getting harder to obtain? I know some on this board are sensitive to low fare pax snagging upgrades, but hey, I use yield management too, meaning I monitor fare swings closely and buy when they are lowest when possible. UA should offer all 1K's the chance to standby for upgrades on OTW (over-the-water) flights regardless of fare booked. I have made a request to a certain UA sales rep and if they come through with some valid ways to upgrade in 2000, I'll keep the 1K going, but otherwise I might end up being a Premie again

This is a great discussion. I had considered moving to Northwest in 2000, from Delta Platinum. However my last couple trips on Delta have seen much improved customer service both on the ground and in the air. So I think I will keep Delta first and continue United as a back up.
Hotels are a different story. I am out about 180 nights per year. I have split my stays to reach Gold level on Hilton, Platinum on Hyatt, Platinum on Starwood, and Black on Marriott. This year I am moving it to Marriott , Starwood, Hilton and then Hyatt. I will still look for special offers that could change my mind, but I am going to focus on getting top levels as quickly as possible.
Hilton has done everything they can to discourage my business.
Here's to a great year of travel. Lots of Bonus offers and more time to travel for leisure(yeah right).

It is a great thread!

I enrolled in the AA challenge and got to platinum, then in the last 3 months of '99 I flew 52,000 base miles so I'm platinum for 2000 anyway. I got comped to US Preferred Plus. Then I decided to switch my AA businss to UA because I can get a lot more direct fights and the time is more important than the money. So UA comped me to PE.

So my plan is to fly US on short segments (DCA-LGA, DCA-BOS) and UA on all other segments. I should requal for PP on US next year, and either PE or 1K on UA. I figure I'll travel about 100K miles on UA and 60 segments on US so that is about right. US treats me very nicely but they don't have the schedule outside of the Eastern corridor, so that is where UA comes in.

I have done a lot of stays in Crowne Plaza and Marriott, with a few in Hyatt. I like Crowne Plaza a lot, but they are part of Holiday Inn and I don't like Holiday Inn much. I do like Marriott. They upgrade me a bit and I find their service very good. Crowne Plaza treats me the best but they are not in enough places.

At this point I'm very happy with UA (1K), AS (MVP), and Starwood (plutonium) and have no plans to switch. If CO had transpacific service I'd be tempted. Too many bad experiences with NW to give them another try right now.

Punki - if your concern really hinges on the "cap" for credit card miles, I'd say stick to United. As I recall there is no cap on the United Mileage Plus First Card miles if you're Premier Executive.

(I just pulled up an application, and the fine print says, inter alia, "The maximum number of miles you can earn with the Mileage Plus First Card is 10,000 miles in a single billing period with a maximum of 50,000 miles per year. For Mileage Plus Premier or Premier Executive there is no maximum number of miles you can earn per billing period or per year.") (Emphasis added.)

Another thought - if you don't already have one, you might want to consider geting a Diners Club card. Not only do you get 2 points per dollar (which convert to at least one UAL mile per dollar), the points can be used on other airlines as well, and you have a two billing period interest free grace period you can use for "float". If you are interested, please let me know and I'll sponsor you (you get 24,000 bonus points the first year at the rate of 2,000 points for each month you charge something on the card, and I get 6,000 pouints for the referral).

With my decreasing travel load, I can now only count on getting the top elite status with one airline and one hotel program.

For 2000, I will be sticking with Delta Airlines. The unlimited complimentary upgrades is a major incentive that is simply hard to ignore and other carriers do not match. The recent improvement in customer service certainly a big bonus. Furthermore, I can still earn and redeem miles on my favorite airline, Singapore Airlines. I am also keeping my Delta Airlines Platinum AMEX card as a back up to my Diners Club for more SkyMiles.

With regards to hotel frequent guest programs, I am switching to Starwood. I was comped to Platinum for next year, which was incidentally matched by Hilton. I have been a Hilton HHonors Diamond VIP for at least 6 years now but have not booked a lot of trips with them in 1999 due to Starwood's superior product and frequent guest program. I also prefer Starwood's electronic certificates for reward stays.

I am a Delta Platinum Medallion, but a good chunk of those miles were flown with Swissair. That isn't going to work in 2000. I fly to Europe a lot from the west coast, and the Swissair flights from SFO and LAX work out better for me than the eastern Delta flights.

Now that Swissair and Delta are splitting up, I was tempted to switch to American. (American also flies San Jose to Tokyo, which would be great for me). However, I decided to stick with Delta because (1) I like Delta; (2) Systemwide upgrades for international flights -- no one else has that. (3). The Swissair-American partership is still quite primitive, being nowhere as integrated as the Delta-Swissair one was. (4) Air France does provide west coast coverage.

Another alternative was Qualiflyer, but I doubted I could make elite with them.



[This message has been edited by opus17 (edited 12-27-1999).]

I agree - great thread!

First off - Wish everyone and their families a Very HAppy and Safe Holiday and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

For 2000 I have decided to pursue the following elite levels (barring any last minute changes in programs / travel plans)

BA Global Exec Club Gold - Since they have a rolling qualification period my flights from Oct 99 - Oct 00 will count. Should have this wrapped up by April 00.

United Premier - I have found no real benefit beyond this level since my travel is either already in business / first or else on fairly light routes. Since I don't really fly UA itself too much these days the bonus doesn't really help either.

LH Senator - Once again a rolling qual period to Sep 00. At present I have 75000 miles so I need 25K more for what appears to be 2 years of status. This should be done by March. Thanks to class bonuses counting for status this is a great program. (200% Business / 300% for First) ANyfare upgrades w/ miles is useful and reasonable b/c of the ease of earning miles.

CO Gold - After having been NW Gold for a long time (still valid till 2001) I'm going to switch over as I don't see much traval on NW anymore. The addition of KL as a full fledged partner will also be nice. This will be a yearlong mix of domestic and intl flights.

So for 2000 it looks like LH Senator, UA Premier, CO Gold, and BA Gold. I expect easily 250000 + actual flight miles plus class bonuses so it shouldn't be that hard

Hotels - I have SPG Gold till 2001 already and will try for Platinum this year. Hilton has comped me to Gold for next year so I'll give a little to them as well. I hope to stay more with Hyatt so maybe something there. And finally in India the Taj Group has started a loyalty program which is based on amount spent and offers free upgrades, airport transfers, food and drinks, etc.

Maybe we can do an update quarterly or something and see how far everyone has progressed towards their goals.

Until then I wish everyone safe and enjoyable travels and hope to see some of you in the new millenium.

Happy Holidays to Everyone here....

I think in 2000, I would have to be more realistic and concentrate in a few elite levels rather than attempt as many as I can get.

OneWorld - Currently with CP as Executive Platinum (1w-Emerald). I can requalify quite easily on CP as most of my travels are on oneWorld carriers but with the threat of CP leavig oneWorld eventually and joining STAR alliance, I will also be concentrating on renewing my CX Marco Polo Gold (1w-Sapphire) or maybe even attempting to Diamond (1w-Emerald). CX's Gold and Diamond levels have guaranteed seat reservations in economy and business class within 48 hours of booking.

STAR alliance - I currently hold STAR-GOLD with Lufthansa-SENATOR, AC-S.Elite, and Ansett-Platinum. I will only requalify as Elite with AC next year, though I can see myself concentrating on retaining LH's elite due to their seat guarantees in coach and business class within 48 hours of booking too. Ansett's level is a bit strange because their FF programme counts points of all airline partners including STAR. But that might all change when Singapore Airlines joins STAR in April.

SWISSAIR-TRAVEL CLUB. Swissair only requires 30,000 miles to retain their one and only elite level. That should take only 1 roundtrip in Business Class between Australia and Europe.

HOTELS - Retaining Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond and Hyatt's Asian Business Traveller Rate Plan. The latter is a special plan which guarantees Great Deal rates throughout Asian Hyatt hotels all year round. Sometimes the savings can be as much as 50% off. Hotels will recognise elite status on members and will upgrade them accordingly. The only requirement is that one stays at least 3 different asian hotels within a year and that total nights exceed 40.

HILTON - still on GOLD level (courtesy of AC) and will attempt in attaining that this year.

Only 7 more travelling days till the next millenium !

In 1999 I didn't travel much at all until June, and the two trips I made early in the year were both award tickets (probably a bad move). So I've struggled to keep my Premier on UA, which I will make at the end of this weekend's mileage run. Also I got comped to CO Silver, which I haven't even come close to requalifying for.

For 2000, I'm anticipating 50,000 miles or a little more. I could probably maneuver almost everything onto UA and get PE back, which I was 2 years ago, or split it up with CO and get Silver thru 2/2001. Once in a while I have to take a trip on DL or AA or US, but probably no more than 2 trips every 3 years on each.

I see no reason to drop my emphasis on Starwood. Currently I'm Gold through 8/2001, and trying to finagle Platinum with a promotion. I suppose I could go back to Marriott (which I've stayed at about 5 times in 1999 anyway) if I don't get the Platinum on Starwood and not worry about Starwood until 2001, but I like their hotels too much (which is , I guess, the point of this whole enterprise).

I will be sticking with Air Canada as Super Elite but I have opened up a Mileage Plus account on UA to build up random points for upgrades in North America for the few times I use them. AC flies most places I go to and with an expanded route network this year (maybe even Australia), I will have more choices than ever, still with upgrades from most discount fares I am able to travel on.

Just wondering how the two major alliances (oneworld and star) will continue to evolve. I am hoping the competition between the alliances internationally will still keep Air Canada's program robust. I believe that it will not deteriorate significantly even though Canada's oneworld partner Canadian will be moving to the Star Alliance.

Maybe that's just wishful thinking . . .

I hear the family stirring so it will be time to open presents soon--maybe Santa will give me something special from the Star!

PS. Someone from the AC's Vice President of Marketing office phoned last night (I wasn't taking any calls) and was quite concerned about the letter I wrote (see AC thread) on year 2000 Elite/Super Elite benefits. Maybe she will phone again next week.

Happy Holidays and Great Thread

AusTXHiker, USAirways also provides unlimited complimentary upgrades for its top teir level members -- though that does not extend to its international flights (yet). For this reason I'm probably going to stick with US but if I start falling far short of Chairman's Preferred again next year, I might switch some of my business to Cleveland and Continental, as I find that US Preferred Plus was not much better than US Preferred. Continental has always been my #2 favorite airline, though the Cleveland airport leaves some to be desired IMHO.

As per hotels, while I don't really get that much benefits from my program, the number of hotels and point earning opportunites keeps me coming back. As I crack 500,000 points in only 14 months of being a Marriott Rewards member, I am looking forward to making a million in a couple more years.

From the looks of it, requalifying for any Elite (currently CO Silver) is still 50:50. I'll probably have to do some "segment packing" (ie: BDL-EWR-CLE-IAH-???) this year.

No status for hotels, just points. That won't change. They just don't have any Starwood/Hilton/Marriot in some of the tiny towns I go to.

No complaints - I got Silver for 2000 and will enjoy it whenever and wherever I can.

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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."

dg1, re: your message to AusTXHiker, US doesn't serve AUS.