I recently landed a project that will require me to travel to Houston, TX for about 1.5 months from my home in NYC. Currently I have been flying AA since I have the most miles and gold status with them. I usually purchase airfare in the area of 1700 bucks RT (still a coach ticket too!). I�ve been staying at a boutique hotel downtown with no miles program for convenience to the work site. I am willing to change hotels as long as they are in downtown.

I now ask the FF gurus, what is the best strategy for me to maximize the number of miles I can earn from this project?

I�ve heard continental will give double miles for airfare purchased via their CC, which is a nice bonus. But I have also heard AA has a target program that I might be able to join.

Any advice is appreciated!!

Well, you're obviously racking up more miles NYC-DFW-IAH on AA (or NYC-ORD-IAH?) than you would be EWR-IAH non-stop on CO. Of course you're also spending more time... So, the question is which is more important to you?

If you want to make the switch to CO, they'll certainly comp you equivalent status. Just go over to the CO board and search for "status match" ...

While CO offers free domestic upgrades on all fares, since it sounds like you're buying full fare tickets in addition to being a Gold, be sure to note that AA offers free upgrades to all elites traveling on full fare tickets.

As far as switching hotels, it would help to know where you need to be location-wise. Then check out the Starwood, Hilton, etc. boards to find out more about the hotel programs and specifics about the properties you might choose to stay at.

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More Room Throughout Coach: the Website of Free Miles and Free Markets

What does "downtown" mean in NYC to you? To me, it means south of the numbered streets, e.g. near Wall Street. To others, it means anywhere in Manhattan. Regardless, consider staying at a chain hotel: Starwood, Hilton, Marriott. Embassy Suites might be good -- it's a Hilton property, it has free breakfast, workout room, and more living space. Marriott & Hilton -- if you can push for Gold tier -- gets you lounge access and/or free breakfast.

Are you planning to fly back and forth often? If so, contact CO and see if you can comp status. As they have the most non-stops from IAH to EWR & LGA, you'll have a good combination between status, miles, and easier travels.

Charge as much as you can on a points-earning card. The Chase CO Visa is good only if you hook up with CO. A Starwood card is good if you hook up with that chain. As is the HHonors AMEX & MC. Otherwise, consider something with flexibility, i.e. AMEX Membership Rewards.

All IMHO

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On the road, In the air,
I enjoy travel, From here to there.

I think the post referred to downtown Houston. And maybe not even then, since it's seemingly almost impossible to redeem saver awards on CO, so most awards cost double the miles. Incorrect. The Starwood Amex allows points transfers into most airline programs. While it isn't a good deal post 1/1/03 to transfer into UA, you can generally transfer *Wood points into miles @ 1:1 and get a 5000 mile bonus for transferring 20000. That's better than Membership rewards. The card is less expensive (free 1st year, $30 thereafter) and comes with a 4,000 point signup bonus and up to 6,000 points for staying at Starwood properties.

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More Room Throughout Coach: the Website of Free Miles and Free Markets

Hyatt on Loisiana Street is decent. there is also the Doubletree at Allen Center. Best hotel is considered to be the Four Seasons, but I don't know if they offer miles. Also you could add an extra 1000 miles by flying to EFD through IAH if you want to spend the time. EFD and IAH should be about same distance from downtown. Lastly there is an AA flight nonstop from LGA to Hobby if you want to save time and fly AA. Hobby is also closest to downtown.

email me and I'll help.

There are lots of strategies to help. The EFD shuffle is nice but can add a fair amount of time to your trip and you cannot rent a car at EFD. I think if you have a car, you can easily get around and see a little more of the city and stay somewhere other than the Lancaster. It is nice but the construction can get noisy.

Don't forget. If you get go with CO and get comped, you can still "connect" on CO between EWR and IAH. The fare basis allows you to connect in DFW, ATL, ORD, MEM, DTW, CLE, I think even BNA. Check the fare rules that way you can increase your segments.

BSL

Welcome to Houston.

CO offers great flexibility in routings, download their electronic time table then slect "more" for conections and you'll see what I mean, and that's just for starters. I often go through FLL to get to EWR. I've also been successful with doubling back through IAH going to EWR, i.e. IAH-FLL-IAH-EWR on the outbound.

If you're interested in NS only then CO offers 777 service with BF seating from EWR-IAH.

Drop me a line if you want.

SteveHOU

I'm not sure about the mileage, I even checked out their website (http://www.fourseasons.com/houston/index.html) but when I was in Houston last year, I stayed at the 4 Seasons and it was one of the best hotels I'd been to. If your going for comfort, convience and luxery, take the 4 Seasons.
DC-10's Forever

OK -- duh. I read downtown and thought NYC.

Of the chains: Downtown Houston has a Hyatt that is this side of grody. There is an Embassy Suites reasonably close as are a couple other Hilton properties. And a Marriott in the Galaria area is a close commute.

The Four Seasons in downtown Houston offers luxury and convenience, but, alas, no miles.