I posted this originally in the US forum, but I'm open to all suggestions so am expanding it a bit..

Background:
I had Gold level on US, but dropped to Silver this year (48k Miles GRR!).. and don't have enough to requalify back to Silver again (very light travel year at 18K miles). Next year, however, there will be extensive travel, probably continuing for the next 18-24 months at least. Most of my trips are long haul, either Transcon or TransAtlantic (which explains why I have a lot of miles but never make the minimum segment counts). 2hrs in a 17.3" wide seat is miserable but I can do it. 6-8hrs would leave me **** near unable to walk.

That's the background, the questions are:

Who offers challenges and how does one go about asking for one?

I've heard about Economy+ and MRTC, though I've yet to try either. I fly full Y tickets usually due to the nature of my travel (almost always end up changing return tickets etc). Are these available to full Y passengers? Or are the tier member seats only?

As the typical tall/wide (think football linesman) type American, which would you reccommend for the best economy seat pitch and width overall while working my way to status?

Which program, in your opinion, offers the best upgrade potential to business or first? US Airways was really good about that, but the doom and gloom predictions have me a bit concerned.

I'm willing to switch to a new carrier as my primary, but I'm looking for one that does challenges so I can get to tier status reasonably quickly (I truly despise the general check in counter lines).

I'd really like to hear your opinions and thoughts on these questions if you'll share them. You have my thanks for your time.

Regards,
-Bouncer-

United doesn't do challenges. American does. There's a wealth of information on the AA forum about challenges if you'll do a quick search there. A platinum challenge will get you to midtier and double miles on everything.

It looks like AA only has a dozen flights a day from your gateway airport, so that's something you might want to look at first.

The top tier program at AA (100K) offers 8 VIP's each year (plus 8 when you initially qualify), and you can use those to upgrade international routes if space is available. I've had a 100% success rate on every upgrade I've asked for since moving to AA 21 months back, but others report they are not as successful, or have to wait and clear at the gate. I book months out though when there is probably better availability.

No regrets making it to top tier on AA. I have held on to midtier at UA primarily for their Australia awards (90K in business versus 125K in business using AA miles on Qantas). That might be something you should look at, too.

I do think MRTC really makes a difference (and I'm only 5'2"). If you have the opportunity to do a challenge on American, I'd say it's worth a shot. I just did the Platinum challenge myself, two months ago, and it was pretty easy--I took just one RT to Rio in business/first and I was done. For me, it wasn't such a big deal to get Platinum on AA since I am already Gold on BA (better benefits). But if you have no top-tier status anywhere else, AA Platinum is not bad.

I am quite depressed that AA's Flagship lounge in MIA has closed, though. That was the only thing that made flying through MIA even remotely bearable.

There is more good news from AA

If as you say, you fly on full Y fare, as a elite(any) you will get free upgrade on domestic routes(includes Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America and Bermuda), capacity controlled. The upgrade will be treated the same as sticker upgrade I believe, so as a Gold(low) if available will clear 24 hours before, Plat(Med) - 72 hours and Ex Plat(top) - 100 hours before the flight.

To sign up for the challenge, just call AA customer service and ask for Gold or Plat challenge, and here are some of the basic rules:
Challenges are based on points, not miles. What's the difference you ask?
Points are based on the class of service you pay for, so:
First = 1.5 points per mile flown
Business = 1.25 points per mile
Full Y = 1 point per mile
Economy coach = .5 point per mile

For Gold you need to complete 5000 points in a three month period and for Platinum 10,000 points in 3 month period.

If you complete the challenge in the first half of the year, your status is only good till the end of the following February but if you complete it during the second half of the year, your status will be good till the end of February of the year after next. Something to consider, but not important if you keep on flying regularly enough to re-qualify.

Obviously you can't challenge to re-qualify for your status. You have to loose it to challenge for it again, and that's not always possible, as it has been reported that AA will not let you do it again right after you loose it. You could challenge for higher status while holding the lower one. There is no challenge for the top - Executive Platinum.

That's about all the major points. Good luck!

One more point - on US, a full Y normally gets you an upgrade to First (domestically) also, and I believe you get status bonuses for the miles.

Could you try and use your current US status to get UA to comp you to Premier (UA Silver) for 2004? Then you'd have access to Econ+ all year along with all the US routes you're used to.

Its also worth noting that all higher fare tickets (Y,B,M) at United have access to Economy Plus even if you don't have any status. I've found that usually Economy Plus has a little greater pitch than MRTC. Also the fact that Economy Plus is expanding while they are eliminating MRTC on AA might put you in a better position as far as coach seating with United especially if you can get comped with your US status.

If you can't get comped, you might wanna just take on the challenge with AA since you'll be able to get status a lot quicker.

AA is only removing MRTC on 757's on some leisure routes - not sytemwide.