In my opinion within the Domestic US based programs AA or United are the only ways to go for a real world class traveler.
Perhaps US AIR as a third choice but it is a step down in my reasoning based on potential earning opportunity and program versatility.

Delta NW and Cont are all on the self destructive path.( A real shame )
They could have otherwise really been a big threat to One World and Star Alliance if they combined their strengths together not their combined weakness all tossed together on a silver platter.
Missed opportunity big time !
With that said while I won't fly revenue with those programs I will earn miles with them.
They still offer some interesting possibilities for reward.

Continental sadly has brought its inflated One Pass increased mileage amounts to the redemption dept already.
This was noticed when I tried to book an Int reward ticket on NW with a variety of partners.As soon as Continental was thrown in it was 20 K more

Perhaps all carriers will be there on the chopping block in time.
The discount carriers are counting on it and so far they seem to be winning.
As some of the big carriers keep alienating the large majority of their customers.

Thankfully right now both AA and United still seem to offer a nice package of benefits despite some big blows in their respective programs as well.
They still will help make your hard earned dollars on travel go farther.

What is amazing is how long you hung in with Continental. Someone out there should appreciate your loyalty !
I can well imagine at what you went/have gone through having once myself been a Continental Gold.
I could write a book.Sigh.....

Feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions regarding programs or the specifics in the way your personal travel might work related to the program itself. Welcome to more friendly skies and more versatile choices in whatever your choice.
Cheers

------------------
AA & Starwood,Marriott Platinum
Hyatt, Hilton Diamond
Swissotel Club Gold
U/A 1k



[This message has been edited by 777 global mile hound (edited 10-18-2003).]

The honeymoon period with CO is really great. Mine lasted 5 years. Then EUA stopped upgrading me, even though F was wide open. And that's when I was Platinum. When you get stuck in CO's Elite Seating, you'll understand.

Very well put.

I know. And the decline started while I was still Platinum Elite!

Thank you very much! I'll let you know when I hear from UA.

I have been lurking on the AA thread for a very long time. I asked for a comp to AA plat as I like their intl upgrade policy. I still like UA.

Both AA & UA are very good choices. The AA upgrade policy on intl tickets are a little better than UA. Using miles, one can upgrade the least expensive tickets whereas to upgrade on UA using miles, one has to purchase a H or above fare. On both UA & AA, one can use the Star & One world lounges on same day intl itineraries if one is mid tier or above. (UA Prem Exec & AA Platinum--50K miles/year).

Do a search on the AA & UA threads and you will find alot of info.

Speaking of the Axis of Evil partnership.

Travel and Leisure in this months most recent issue gets a letter from one of their elites who asks what is Continental doing for long time elites like myself since the introduction of their new partnership?
In which Travel and Leisure simply replies nothing
The bottom line get ready to compete with a much smaller pool of upgrade opportunities
( as a result of many more folks chasing the same pool of seats),harder elite qualification then ever before,tougher mileage reward redemption opportunities and highly inflated increased mileage award levels too
Look at the bright side here more seamless
e tickets
And more ways to earn in one pot.
(Not all of those answers were written some of the above are mine)
This partnership certainly comes at a price.

I jumped out on Continental when they created the Platinum level over Gold.
Will be interesting to hear how good or bad this trio gets.
After all they still compete bitterly with each other in the real world

------------------
AA & Starwood,Marriott Platinum
Hyatt, Hilton Diamond
Swissotel Club Gold
U/A 1k

[This message has been edited by 777 global mile hound (edited 10-27-2003).]

This may be a silly question, but, is this good for travel on partner travel credited to AA (a la CX) or does the challenge have to be done exclusively on AA metal? Or alternatively, can it be for travel booked on CX through the AA website?

I'm impressed with all I'm hearing about AA- has anyone has any luck getting them to comp CO Silver, Gold, or Plat status?

My understanding is that AA requires you to complete a challenge. If the UA comp doesn't come through, I'll probably go that route.

It can be on a partner, and booked through the *partner's* website (or wherever). Make sure your AA # is in the rez, though.

If there are partner exceptions, I'm not aware of them.

Thanks for the information.

I see improvements at American more recently.
They are starting to be more customer service responsive to problems both at the airports and when calling reservation centers
Not that long ago they would turn deaf dumb and blind to almost any of my concerns.

Although United remains my first carrier of choice American is doing a better job as of late.
Perhaps the departure of Don Carty has helped to some degree.
Hopefully United will get into higher gear like the good old days.
Both carriers still face challenges in this price economy.
I am a United or American guy across the board.
Lifetime AA Platinum has certainly helped move more of my biz over to AA.
These programs are all looking better now that the others have killed of their programs
Hopefully UA & AA will continue to remain strong world class programs that continue to deliver value.

[This message has been edited by 777 global mile hound (edited 10-28-2003).]

Flying Buccaneer: Can you let us know if your comp comes through from UAL. I also spoke to UAL today and they told me that they do offer a status match, so I am also thinking of switching from CO. I am just as unhappy with them as FB. I am only a silver though, but they do offer more service from LAX than CO anyway.

It just came through today, according to united.com. I've been checking for the past week, and a couple of hours ago, my membership status changed from General Member to Premier Executive.

For anyone else thinking about asking for a status match, I faxed a copy of my OnePass Gold Elite card, my latest OnePass statement, and a note that I was interested in moving my business from CO/NW to UA/*A. I also explained that I was booked on CO/NW flights in 2003 that would raise my butt in seat miles for the year above 50K, and that I could forward receipts/itineraries if needed.

gleff's "Status Match Master Thread" was full of great advice, and I recommend that anyone interested in moving status to another airline check his excellent post at
http://www.Flyertalk.com/milesfr.shtml



[This message has been edited by Flying Buccaneer (edited 10-28-2003).]

Great, I am going to see what I can do. I will not give CO my loyalty anymore.

Ditto. I guess CO didn't want my trip to NYC in January, or my trip to LAS in February, or my trip to AMS in March, anyway.

I don't want to stay somewhere I'm not wanted.