As far as timing strategy for both airlines and hotels matching request: Since it is relatively late in 03 and if you need the benefit of the matched status in 04 and 05, is it a better strategy to wait until 1/1/04 to request a matching level and get perhaps an extra year?

I think if you wait till 11/1/03 you're golden regardless of airline.

Some folks have reported on some airlines getting status for the following year by requesting 7/1.

Others have found on other airlines that the cutoff is 10/15.

So either ask and be sure or wait till November 1. I'm not aware of anyone getting a comp that was good for less than 2 months. But others will correct me here?

I finally get to do this...

BUMP!

This thread is awesome.

Well, the UA PremEx comp came through (from CO gold), but now that NW has made its fateful announcement they're unexpectedly back in the running. Has anyone been able to comp a CO gold over to NW? I have a feeling the only hope is to send some kind of PremEx documentation and if they don't see any miles on it they might turn the comp down.

If I can get status on NW (now that there's some certainty of no 50% EQM devaluation soon), I would go to them; if UA gives status and NW makes me start over, it's close.

[This message has been edited by RustyC (edited 11-03-2003).]

Possibly a silly question but can anyone tell me if America West or Alaska accept NW Elite membership for comps since they are allied loosely?

Thanks

Just a thought.. remember if you plan to fly UK-USA on both BA and AA then you won't get miles/status on the other carrier.

For example:
Fly AA = No points if your a BA ECH.
Fly BA = No points if your a AAdvantage.

So, it may be worth you looking at a 3rd party carrier. Of course it may be that you need to fly up to 4 flights on that OW carrier to retain the satus, so check the conditions! Might be worth looking into LX if your going to be flying in EU as well.

But, like i say... just a thought http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

i thot the AA/BA anti-trust is due to be lifted about this time?

[This message has been edited by pegasus8228 (edited 10-31-2003).]

I have spent the last few weeks looking for an alternative to my KLM PE. This is becuase I have serious reservations about the merger with AF and the partners of AF to me are not suitable for my travel needs and in a lot of cases I dont rate them anyway.

BA is crazy, they are out of touch with the travel world and anyone who works for who flew BA at full fare to get miles would be fired.

*A have been really helpful in trying to help me match my status with the right airline and narrowed it down to LH or ANA as they fly the routes in Asia and Europe I need.

They took time to listen and reccomend what they thought was right for me, knowing they were competing to get my business and yet both airlines were open about each others strengths.

Marriott will match your Hilton Diamond status and comp to MR Platinum if you have their 75 night stay required annual minimum showing on your HH statement. Just did it about two weeks ago. Easy - faxed statement and status posted within hours. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Has anyone gotten a Starwood comp to Gold from US Gold? How does one go about doing this?

I got comped SPG Gold simply by applying over the internet.. I opened the account and they opened another with gold status immediately.. Strange.. I've never stayed at a SPG property since the one stay required to transfer miles in to qantas...

I'm sure if you have any kind of status with any airline they'll probably comp you..

NW comped me from DL PM to WP Gold through 2004 (Feb 2005) as of Oct.1

I am going to establish some history and ask the to reconsider Platinum.

Someone just reported comping US Gold to UA 1P on the US forum, so it's still in effect. It might go away when US joins *A.

I just got comped AA Plat from UA 1K. I will be putting my new AA status to use. I will be flying AA to the London DO this coming weekend. I like upgrading intl using miles on even the lowest published fares. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif