The Status Match Master Thread
Aug 13, 2007 | 1:15 pm
#1097
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: US CP; Marriott Silver; SPG Gold; PC Platinum
Posts: 145
AA doesn't do status match's, they have challenges. I did a Platinum challenge and completed it on one international trip and have never looked back. You can call the regular AA Advantage Number to get signed up for the challenge.
Aug 13, 2007 | 2:56 pm
#1098
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: India
Programs: UA 1K/Million Miler, Starwood Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 103
Best choice for status match?
I am currently a UA Premier Exec, and on track to regain 1K this year.
However, my new job requires me to visit Amsterdam (and India) 4-6 times a year, and I was trying to figure out if I should go for a status match with one of the Skyteam airlines, so I can fly directly to Amsterdam rather than through Frankfurt or Vienna.
What I can't figure out is which airline to request a match with - NW or KLM? Or if there's any reason to even look at DL or CO.
One potential problem I see is that NW Gold Elite does not provide access to airline lounges when traveling in economy, unlike UA, where Prem Exec is sufficient.
Any suggestions / ideas most appreciated. Thanks,
However, my new job requires me to visit Amsterdam (and India) 4-6 times a year, and I was trying to figure out if I should go for a status match with one of the Skyteam airlines, so I can fly directly to Amsterdam rather than through Frankfurt or Vienna.
What I can't figure out is which airline to request a match with - NW or KLM? Or if there's any reason to even look at DL or CO.
One potential problem I see is that NW Gold Elite does not provide access to airline lounges when traveling in economy, unlike UA, where Prem Exec is sufficient.
Any suggestions / ideas most appreciated. Thanks,
Aug 14, 2007 | 4:46 am
#1099
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DCA
Programs: AMC MovieWatcher, Giant BonusCard, Petco PALS Card, Silver Diner Blue Plate Club
Posts: 22,314
I am currently a UA Premier Exec, and on track to regain 1K this year.
However, my new job requires me to visit Amsterdam (and India) 4-6 times a year, and I was trying to figure out if I should go for a status match with one of the Skyteam airlines, so I can fly directly to Amsterdam rather than through Frankfurt or Vienna.
However, my new job requires me to visit Amsterdam (and India) 4-6 times a year, and I was trying to figure out if I should go for a status match with one of the Skyteam airlines, so I can fly directly to Amsterdam rather than through Frankfurt or Vienna.
Stick with UA, fly the incremental miles over 100k, and earn additional SWUs for use on MKE-ORD-AMS.
It's not as though you'll be in great shape for upgrades with Skyteam, UA allows upgrades on lower fares.. has more seats to upgrade into.. and is updating their fleet with better seats to boot. Plus the miles you earn are much more valuable than those on Skyteam airlines.
Aug 14, 2007 | 10:03 am
#1100
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: USA
Programs: UA/CO(1K-PLT), AA(PLT), QR, EK, Marriott(PLT), Hilton(DMND)
Posts: 9,538
Now this is how a Challenge/status match should work. Well done United. ^ I mean, what's the bloody point of doing a challenge/status match if you have to board in zone 6, sit in a middle seat at the back of the bus, get stuck in strange cities because you can't get on a priority waitlist for three months? That describes the AA Platinum Challenge - a highly sub-par experience IMO.
Now that's not so good.
Now that's not so good.
Aug 14, 2007 | 12:01 pm
#1101
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: India
Programs: UA 1K/Million Miler, Starwood Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 103
UA Prem Exec vs NW
Your profile says you're in MKE, so you're not flying non-stop to AMS in any case. UA flies ORD-AMS non-stop.
Stick with UA, fly the incremental miles over 100k, and earn additional SWUs for use on MKE-ORD-AMS.
It's not as though you'll be in great shape for upgrades with Skyteam, UA allows upgrades on lower fares.. has more seats to upgrade into.. and is updating their fleet with better seats to boot. Plus the miles you earn are much more valuable than those on Skyteam airlines.
Stick with UA, fly the incremental miles over 100k, and earn additional SWUs for use on MKE-ORD-AMS.
It's not as though you'll be in great shape for upgrades with Skyteam, UA allows upgrades on lower fares.. has more seats to upgrade into.. and is updating their fleet with better seats to boot. Plus the miles you earn are much more valuable than those on Skyteam airlines.
Thanks for the helpful info, Gleff.
Actually, I tend to fly Lufthansa and Austrian more often because I can get much cheaper consolidator fares. United does not seem to favor consolidators at all. NW/KLM, on the other hand, is even cheaper than Lufthansa. (BTW: all fares in business class).
Aug 14, 2007 | 12:05 pm
#1102
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DCA
Programs: AMC MovieWatcher, Giant BonusCard, Petco PALS Card, Silver Diner Blue Plate Club
Posts: 22,314
Thanks for the helpful info, Gleff.
Actually, I tend to fly Lufthansa and Austrian more often because I can get much cheaper consolidator fares. United does not seem to favor consolidators at all. NW/KLM, on the other hand, is even cheaper than Lufthansa. (BTW: all fares in business class).
Actually, I tend to fly Lufthansa and Austrian more often because I can get much cheaper consolidator fares. United does not seem to favor consolidators at all. NW/KLM, on the other hand, is even cheaper than Lufthansa. (BTW: all fares in business class).
2) Are you LH bookings in an upgradeable fare class? If so, use systemwides or mileage certs to upgrade to F and enjoy the First Class Terminal in FRA...
Aug 14, 2007 | 1:34 pm
#1103
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-WAW-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, AC*G, LH FTL, AI*G *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,751
And if so, then stay with UA MP (earning EQM's on OS+LH) and/or go with Miles & More to gain benefit of automatic upgrades with them (they have always upgraded their own members before me, and I have never been upgraded on LH using my UA 1P or UA 1K status)
Aug 14, 2007 | 2:12 pm
#1104
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DCA
Programs: AMC MovieWatcher, Giant BonusCard, Petco PALS Card, Silver Diner Blue Plate Club
Posts: 22,314
Actually, if you're flying paid premium class fares you should consider crediting to a program that rewards such fares ... eg bmi in particular (which has some nice cash + points redemption values) and LH as a second-best. Once you hit bmi gold the points really rack up quickly.
Aug 15, 2007 | 2:30 am
#1105
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: VIE/ADL
Programs: QF Platinum/Lifetime Gold, LH Senator, AF Platinum
Posts: 87
Miles & More Status Match
Hi Folks,
a quick search reveals a lot of information regarding north american airline status matches, including quite a few on Star Alliance carriers. However most of the information regarding European Miles & More Star Alliance status matches is fairly old and negative. Has anybody had success recently in status matches from Qantas Platinum to Austrian/LOT/Lufthansa/Swiss Miles & More plans?
Regards
Martin
a quick search reveals a lot of information regarding north american airline status matches, including quite a few on Star Alliance carriers. However most of the information regarding European Miles & More Star Alliance status matches is fairly old and negative. Has anybody had success recently in status matches from Qantas Platinum to Austrian/LOT/Lufthansa/Swiss Miles & More plans?
Regards
Martin
Aug 15, 2007 | 3:54 am
#1106
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,077
Actually, if you're flying paid premium class fares you should consider crediting to a program that rewards such fares ... eg bmi in particular (which has some nice cash + points redemption values) and LH as a second-best. Once you hit bmi gold the points really rack up quickly.
Aug 15, 2007 | 12:19 pm
#1107
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 4
UA status match vs. BMI
Well, although I am London based, I'm a US citizen and travel extensively back to the US. The free premier economy option is a huge plus for me, and my most frequent travel companions for vacations are US based UA premier types, so it made sense for me. I agree that the BMI program is very good, but I'll be flying UA metal most of the time.
Aug 16, 2007 | 7:51 am
#1108
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,333
AA Plat -> BMI Gold in 2 days via e-mail w/ USA address.
Aug 17, 2007 | 1:46 am
#1109
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Im on a road to nowhere
Programs: If I dont have it, I dont need it!
Posts: 758
US Airways status match
Hi folks,
send a fax to:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Carol Blazer, Manager
US Airways Dividend Miles Service Center
Post Office Box 5
Winston-Salem, NC 27105-0005
Or fax to 336-661-8216</font>
Is this still correct??
send a fax to:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Carol Blazer, Manager
US Airways Dividend Miles Service Center
Post Office Box 5
Winston-Salem, NC 27105-0005
Or fax to 336-661-8216</font>
Is this still correct??
Aug 17, 2007 | 12:39 pm
#1110
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,417
I don't think so, when I got my US status match about 10 months ago, I faxed the request to Tempe (a 480 area code).