Hi Sean,

What documentation did you enclose from UA?

Was the number the same as in the beginning of the thread?

Just wanted to know, as I intend to do this myself...and which might help others do the same.

TIA!

Does the airline you want to have the status match double check with the airline you're collected miles and status?

Otherwise you could easily change status and miles in the mail you hand over to the "new" airline?!

Markus

Does anybody know if Starwood/Hilton/Hyatt/Mariott will match Kempinski Private Concierge ?

Thanks

Public service announcement before I share my recent experience:

MANY of these status match programs/policies are ONE TIME ONLY. I would only recommend asking for a match if you REALLY plan on spending the money/time with the new airline or hotel chain. You never know when you are going to need it again!

As for me, I will be doing several trips to PEK over the next 18 months in C. With Air China's (CA) JFK-PEK route, UA's IAD-PEK route and CA's possible membership in *A, I thought it made sense. YM(or opinion)MV.
I particularly like the part that says: "To keep the status through February 2008, just earn 12,500 base flight miles or 15 base flight segments on United, Ted or United Express within the 90-day timeframe."

I have been told that their CA codeshare will count towards this total.

*fingers crossed*

Hey SuperFlyBoy - yes just followed the directions on the first page of the thread, faxed my mileage plus statement for the last year and a copy of my current card. I mentioned that I was wanting to switch my business to them.

One big question hasn't been well answered, perhaps because we just aren't sure:

When should one request a match in order for the status to be valid for the entire next year? Any thoughts on DL? UA with the new 90 day thing? NW? CO?

CO after 1 June. Officially confirmed by CO Insider.

These are not necessarily reliable:

AS
Oct 1
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost....25&postcount=3

US
Nov 1
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showp...&postcount=688

In Jan 2008 I'm flying the LAX-SYD-AKL deal.

That trip will also necessitate a NYC-LAX r/t, most likely to be flown on UA to assure minimum of 2P status.

Presently, my travel is all leisure, mostly on DL from NYC-PBI.

However, in 2007 and/or 2008 I plan to make several leisure trips and/or MRs to West Coast cities (maybe SFO, SEA, PDX, LIH, ANC) and/or any other really good deals that come along)

My options appear to be:

1. Do some of those MRs by year end 2007 on DL and achieve Silver with goal to get UA 2P match prior to NZ trip.

Pro: Earn 25% RDM. on entire UA NYC-NZ trip. Increased RDMs and possibility of upgrades for all of 2008 on both UA & DL.

2.Wait until after UA NZ trip and then do UA MRs in an effort to get 1P status. Then ask DL for status match right away.

Pro: Better perks near end of 2008 & all of 2009.

3. Wait until after UA NZ trip and then do UA MRs in an effort to get 1P status. Wait to ask for DL status match until near the end of UA status term if it looks like i won't be able to requalify for 1P

4. Something You see that I missed?

Which option do you think has best chance of succeeding and carries most most benefits?

thanks

Do you actually plan on fully taking advantage of the benefits? It seems like you are matching for not a ton of flying. Keep in mind that this is once in a lifetime, so I would reconsider just matching for the point of matching. Personally, I would only match if I were going to requalify and switch airlines, but that's just me. Of course, if you could requalify for both next year, I would definitely consider it.

My plan is to take the most advantage of the NYC-NZ miles that I can. While I usually fly coach, I do plan on making several transcon trips in 2007 and/or 2008.

At the very least, by the end of Jan 2008, I will qualify for at least 2P status with UA.

The 1st question is whether to do some 2007 MRs on Delta for the purpose of matching status pre-NYC to NZ?

That would give me the extra 25% RDM bonus for the NYC - NZ trp.

However, that will use up my 1 shot at a UA status match and lock me in to the lowest level status on BOTH UA and DL.

Chances are that by the end of 2008, I will requal for 1 but probably not both programs.

OTOH, if I don't do the 2007 DL -> UA match, wait and spend 2008 working towards goal of 1P on UA, I can instead *hopefully* match to a higher status on DL.

What does a 1P match get you from DL?

If I go that way, I'm not sure whether to take immediate advantage of the DL match or wait til I'm about to lose my UA 1P status before approaching DL.

any thoughts on the best strategy?

for example, if i have silver status on DL, can I do a match using a UA 1P and bump the DL silver up to gold?

Alaska Airlines fax # listed on 1st post (206-433-3477) verified today. Sent in my UA 1P mileage summary on Tuesday. I checked the web site today and it says MVP Gold!
Have a few flights scheduled on Alaska this summer and I'm hoping that my new MVP Gold status will get me into first class.
I wonder though if I had waited until July to status match, if I would also have qualified for MVP Gold for 2008 as well, but didn't want to cut it too close to my flight dates. Didn't expect a 48 hour turnaround time.

just to summarize the DL --> UA status match rules now in place (just got off the phone with a guy in India):

2P: must be Silver Medallion (FO) and fly 6,250 miles or 8 segments within 90 days of email confirmation. email confirmation is sent within 5 days of them receiving a copy of your latest MP statement (with status shown) to fax number 605-343-4104.

1P: must be Gold/Platinum Medallion (GM/PM) and fly 12,500 miles or 15 segments within 90 days of email confirmation. email confirmation is sent within 5 days of them receiving a copy of your latest MP statement (with status shown) to fax number 605-343-4104.

matched status lasts through Feb 2008. In order to have status through all of 2008, must earn 25k (for 2P) or 50k (for 1P) by 12/31/2007. i didn't think to ask (and honestly wasn't sure he'd understand if i asked) if people trying to match 1P and didn't make it would still be granted 2P.

anyway, it's not just a simple status match - there is a catch. the funny thing is that this guy called it a "promotion." not.

Not always. I moved a lot years ago, change address and tried to resubmit for match status. Used new acct number and new address got status mathc again. It just doesnt work for same account, change accounts no problem!