Hi FTers. Posting this here as it covers many airlines. Looking forward to all your expert advice!

Here's the deal - hoping to relocate from Australia to USA to study in mid-2004. Currently got Premier status with UA and >100,000 miles, but status will expire soon (Feb?). Got 'standard' status with BA, Qantas, and AA, though once had BA Silver. Got up to 20,000 with each right now.

2004 should see me flying Australia to USA, and maybe back again, plus some US to Europe return, and maybe internal US.

So should I:

(a) Ask UA to maintain my status under the circumstances? (seems unlikely)

(b) Ask AA to match UA status before it expires?

(c) Some other wonderful idea I haven't thought of yet!

In both cases, should I call or fax? Should I find a local office or call/fax to the US direct? Anything I should say/write to make them want me to come to their 'team'?!

Any and all advice MUCH appreciated!

It all depends on where you will be based. An easy way to elite status to sitck to an airline that has its hub near you. Of course it all depends on who they are...

I don't think AA would comp you. Not if you didn't fly UA enough to requalify ...

I would do a AA challange to Plat on your first trip to the US.

Search the AA board for tons of info.

Good luck!

f4free, my UA status will probably have expired by the time I book ticket to fly to the USA, so can't see how AA would even consider status matching me then. Or am I missing something here? I didn't think they just looked at how many miles you had.

Enigma,

AA isn't doing status matches anymore, so you're out of luck with that. If you sign up for the platnium challenge, you can get plat with with just one trip to the US. Do a search in the AA forum for details, or check www.fewmiles.net

Flipside

Thanks for the info flipside, but wouldn't quality for it based on one way to the USA on discount economy (return trip would be 6+ months later). Ideally looking to keep current UA Premier (or equiv.) status for the flight over there.

Only option seems to be if UA would be willing to extend my Premier status given the circumstances of me being a student looking to learn more in the US of A, but I'm doubtful. Anyone ever tried this? Any best way of doing it? (email, fax, etc... begging in a way that only a struggling student could?? 8-]). As a last resort, who should I write/email/fax to at UA to plead my case and just see what happens?

Thanks, appreciating all the help!