Need some help from the pros.

I currently live in the New York area and last year I made Silver on Continental and Premier on United in half a year, which was my goal. This year, should I fly one airline exclusively to try to get Platinum/1k? If so, which airline?

I travel frequently (every week, but usually short hops) and expect to take some vacation as well during the year. United, I've noticed, has separate security lines for Premier Exec +, but this excludes me (Premier). However, the Economy Plus really makes travel bearable in terms of space/legroom. On the other hand, Continental has unlimited 1st class upgrades, but I'm only Silver. I also want to get the carpet club/lounge for one or both airlines.

Help! And thanks in advance!

[This message has been edited by spaceboy (edited 01-08-2002).]

continited? unental? whats wrong with american? no good flights for you? i'd do them first, continental second. but what the heck do i know? nothing, thats what. ask anyone. YMMV.

If you're a Channel 9 fan, go for UA. Otherwise, flip a coin. Or continue to split your business, and go on a mileage run to bump yourself up to the next level on both programs.

You should try to get to mid level on at least one program. Maybe both if you want to fly the miles instead of segments for some long hauls and it makes sense for you. If you concentrated on United for international, and Continental for domestic, you could take advantage of the best of both programs. 100% mileage bonuses, lounge access on UA internationally, complimentary upgrades on CO domestically. You might have to start reading the mileage run forum.

I have flown United,American And Continental a lot over the years
With life time elite status at American and Continental I still earn my 1 K status at United.They have there bad days but overall.
They are a much fairer airline to frequent flyers.Everybodys experience will differ.
Mostly because expectations and needs run so very different.
For me its better fleet,seating layouts, food(where available),better trained staff(sometimes you meet the employee from h ll)but it happens everywhere.When a problem happens with your account Mileage Plus takes care of it.When your account is documented they keep there word.Saftey this is the carrier I trust.The downside they follow the competition on just about everything.They used to be the leaders.Fire away with any questions........By the way United and American have the best reward availability in statistics (consumer reports) with American still a little better percentage wise.Continental is criminal and thats the main reason I left.There were other issues......To complex for now.Good luck in your choice.Happy Travels.......

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AA & Starwood,Marriott Platinum
Diamond Hyatt, Hilton Diamond
U/A 1 K

[This message has been edited by 777 global mile hound (edited 01-08-2002).]

My choice for airline was primarily influenced by which airline had the highest number of direct flights to most locations. Living in Chicago, I chose United and have thoroughly enjoyed my 1K status. If you prefer Newark, it would obviously be Continental. If you prefer La Guardia, I'd go with United or American.

I think CO is very nice from EWR but their award availability is very poor and international upgrades difficult.

UA has nice planes and good upgrade policy esp if you are in the mid or upper elite tier and would probably be my choice.

CO has unlimited free upgrades for elites, but if you're a silver flying out of EWR those upgrades will likely be few and far between.

UA has free upgrades for (essentially) 20% of your flights. You probably won't get a better percentage on CO... and of course you can buy upgrades (with $$$ for certs, and always w/ miles) on UA as well.

Since UA isn't as dominant in NY, you'll likely do better.

As a 1P with UA (if you concentrate on one airline and get up to 50k miles or 60 segments/yr) you should do pretty well with upgrades.

Economy-plus is a BIG difference (especially when they block that middle seat next to you...) from regular Y. If you're going to be sitting in back at all, UA is MUCH nicer.

Their award availability is better. Their international route network (plus Star Alliance) is a real plus for earning miles/segs if you travel internationally or if you want to redeem miles internationally.

If you want non-stops, CO out of EWR is key. Of course, connections of UA to smaller destinations help you build miles and segments....

If you fly mainly domestic USA you should probably go with CO first. If you mainly fly international definitely go with UA. CO international you can pretty much forget upgrades with their wacky fare requirements and timing of request.

But the main factor should always be, which airline goes where I need to go the most.