Need some guidance
 

I have poked around here from time to time, but now need your assistance.

Let me tell you about myself first. I took a new position doing marketing and sales for a global company in May. At the time I lived in Cleveland, Ohio, but have now moved to Chicago, Illinios.

In the 8 months I traveled last year here are my accumulations...

Continental...37,951 miles (30 segments)

US Airways...2,000 (4 segments) - Hopefully to be transferred to United

Southwest...24 segments

United...37,219 miles (57.5 segments)

I am Executive Elite with National.

I am Diamond with HHonors.

I am Silver with Marriott.

I am Gold with Intercontinental.


Here are my problems....

1) I was 2.5 segments shy of becoming Premier Executive with United. If the 4 flights that are supposed to come over from USAirways are eligiable, I am fine. But, what can I do to insure or get United to give me Premier Executive? 100% bonus is alot better than 25% bonus.

2) I am debating on changing over to American Airlines. It won't make sense if I am given Premier Executive status though. If I do switch over, I was going to see if they would match status, or do the Platinum Challange. I already plan on traveling approximately 14,000 miles in the next 30 days. Even if I get all discounted fares, I will be at 7,000 EQM. I know I could easily get the remaining 3 in the next 2 months. Is it worth switching? What is the comparison between the two for rewards?

3) What hotel do you suggest staying with to rack up rewards quicker?

4) Is there anyway to transfer my miles from Continental to another carrier?

I will be doing US travel with a few trips a year to Europe and a few to Asia Pacific a year. I will constantly be traveling to Knoxville, TN, which both airlines fly direct to.

Thanks for your input! I look forward to your suggestions!

Cheers,
J

In the United forum, there is a thread directly comparing UA to AA:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110486

My first flight ever was on American, as well as my first ever international flight, but other than those 2, I've never flown them. :) I've always found them to be too expensive for where I wanted to go compared to others.

Now I'm in Indianapolis. I use UA and US for all my travel. I finally made 1K last year and really believe that makes a major difference. Looking at your travel last year, you almost have 100 segments total. A quick cheap segment run and you could have had 1K. That could be your goal this year.

Also, I am batting 1.000 for international upgrades using SWUs as a 1P and now a 1K (knock on wood). Believe me, you definitely want an upgrade if you're heading to Asia. I've gone IND-ORD-NRT-BKK and back a few times and I cannot imagine doing that in coach!

That being said, the AA Plat challenge, from what I learned at the Mileage Run seminar, is extremely easy to do. And they do have SWUs as well.

For hotels, I'm a Hilton man and really enjoy what Diamond status gets me. but unfortunately they are the stingiest with bonus opps. I think your approach of having one primary hotel and a few others with lowest tier elite status is a good one.

I do not know of a way to transfer CO miles to any other airline. Even if one existed, you'd probably lose so many it wouldn't be worth it. I believe CO miles don't expire, so may as well hold onto them and add to them slowly to get to the 50k level good for 2 domestic tickets.

I don't know if you're looking for a "you should do this answer" or just some discussion. I personally would stick with UA since you already have status with them. I hope the US segments come thru for you b/c there is a big difference between 2P and 1P.

You have status on United so you would probably want to keep it. ORD has a lot of competition between UA and AA and I don't know what your travel policy is. If you think you are going to fly AA a lot more now then the Plat Challenge is the way to go. Wherever upgrades will be easiest for you to get then that would be the way to go.

I, too, am a Hilton man. I have been with Hilton for a long time and also use Starwood as my backup. I like the 20K points for 25K miles conversion with SPG. I travel a lot off of the beaten path and as a necessity have a lot of stays with PC (love those HIE cinnamon rolls!). I guess it all comes down to personal preference. I like the motto, 'If it's not broke, don't fix it.' So if Hilton has been good to you then keep double-dipping. It makes up for some of the shortcomings when compared to other programs.