HELP! AC Refugee...Can you get equivalent status on other carriers by asking?
 

I'm an AC Elite, and i'm tired of flying the airline crossborder (EWR to YYZ) between Canada and the US. I fly 30-40 round trips per year, and have seen AC service deteriorate.

I'd like to start flying CO, or another airline, but seeing as how my flights are mainly short-hauls, it will be hard to maintain status. I can kiss my upgrades away for at least a year...

Anyone have any suggestions? Is it possible to ask CO (or other airline) to match my AC status?

Answers will vary by airline.

AA will try to enroll you in the Gold (or Platinum) Challenge. These earn status faster than just flying but aren't quite a comp. You have to earn 5,000 (or 10,000) AA "qualifying points" in 90 days, starting the 1st or 16th of any month you choose. Q-points are 0.5 per mile for discount economy, 1.0 for full or near-full Y, up to 1.5 for paid F. You get a minimum of 500 Q-points per flight segment, which may help you.

Because they offer this option, AA is tight with comps, but it can be done. You'll have to provide a current competitive statement to prove your status. If the first agent you talk to won't offer a comp and insists on a challenge instead, don't push to the point where they put a note in your file. Sign off politely and try another one. (If you have a travel agent or corporate travel coordinator, they can probably make it happen through their AA sales rep.)

I don't know exactly what level "AC elite" corresponds to, or if you used it as a generic term, but AA will comp only its two lower tiers based on competitive status. You have to earn EXP yourself. There's no EXP Challenge, either.

For CO and others, somebody else?

Like Efrem said, AA will probably just comp you to Gold and enroll you into Plat challenge.

DL will comp you to SM or GM.

CO is famous for giving away elite status. They will comp you quick as a wink to comparable status. For more info, see the entire CO board.

For CO, you will probably just need to send them copies of your recent AC statements, and they should comp you (for one year) to an equal level. Unlike other airlines, once you have gotten an elite level--be it Silver, Gold or Platinum, you automatically get the upgrades. With others you have to accrue the miles first for upgrades--no matter what level you are.