Hi there,
I did a search on this board but there were so many posts and I couldn't figure out if any were relevant, so I'm asking for some help here (either for a link to a good post, or to these specific questions).

I am wondering two things...
1) I am Premier Exec on UA, likely to be 1K shortly. Do you think my status will automatically apply to flights booked with Continental once they are *? How long does this "integration" usually take? United has become quite strict about upgrades (co-pays being introduced, limited inventory, etc.) and I am hoping that my status will do me some good if I start booking Continental flights.

2) Does it make sense to attempt a status match with Continental, based on the answer to #1? In other words, I am thinking about doing a status match with one new airline this year, just to see if their perks are any better, but it seems a waste if my existing 1K status will end up carrying over to Continental by end of year when they merge? I'd rather save my "status match" for a rainy day when I am going to lose my 1K status due to a decrease in flying for a year... Just an idea.

Anyone have any other info possibly about the impact of Continental joining the Star Alliance?

I would repost this on the UA forum. The 2nd question might be best on the CO forum.

I'd say save the status match or at least wait until after the mid-year point where you'd get it for all of next year....but I tend to be pretty frugal with the status matches because you never know when you really NEED one.

Pretty much the only thing that one can assume right now is that after CO enters star, you'll be able to earn UA miles on CO flights and vice versa. Pretty much nothing has been announced regarding upgrades etc.

These two topics are well discussed in the UA and CO forums too.