The short answer to your question is: Non-US based FF programs do not generally comp status (this includes KL); it is extremely unlikely that any of the US-based SkyTeam FF programs will comp top-tier status.

Thanks KVS.

And if anyone else out here does have experience/rumour of how I can a) get comp'ed status on one of the Europe based SkyTeam carriers, or b) how to get comp'ed top tier on any SkyTeam carrier, I would be most appreciative if you could share the info with me ?!?

Ta !

You have "earned" it with your current programs but not with SkyTeam.

And the whole point of any SkyTeam carriers giving you a comp match only up to Gold Level because they want to see some "hard work" from you on their airlines. You did your hard work on other networks, how could you expect to not do anything at all and get the same benefits? Even when moving from SkyTeam to StarAlliance (for example, myself getting comp match from United, I only got Premier Executive instead of 1K while I am a DL Platinum who needed 100K miles to reach that status), they do the same by giving one tier below the top tier. This is so common !!! You jump from nothing to Gold, that is generous enough. Remember that SkyTeam Gold gives you min of 100% mileage bonus (except AF non-US account gets 50%) on ALL SKYTEAM operated flights. I don't see any other StarAlliance airlines doing this. Most airlines only offers 100% bonus on their own operated flights, but not on their partners, e.g. United Premier Executive gives 100% bonus only on UA and LH flights.

Challenge or comp match is offered for you to show only "some or no" work by giving you the quickest way to get one level below the highest tier. If you don't like the idea, don't bother. Stay where you are with your own networks and at the end, you get nothing from SkyTeam.

You said you fly half in Economy and half in business, therefore, you will only suffer half of the time for not getting lounge access while earning 100% bonus miles ALL the time you fly. To me, that makes up for it. If lounge access matters so much, spend your few hundred dollars to get club membership. It should not cost much comparing to NO WORK you have done for SkyTeam and already got Gold Level.

I know someone would get tetchy about this !!!

Obviously, but that does not stop other airlines comp'ing their top status - last year Star Alliance gave it to anyone in the UK for equivalent status in any other airlines*, BMI do it all the time anyway, as do a number of US, African and Asian carriers... Have a read of the Status Match thread and similar ones mate, you will see just how many people, on so many airlines, get comp'ed top status - I just want the same from SkyTeam...

... especially, as I explained in my post, over the next few months ALL my travel in SkyTeam will be in Y, none in J (so lounge access is an important benefit).

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate that anyone comp'ing me anything is a great thing, that I have no God given right to it, and that it is all for free, but in the cut-throat competitive world of air travel, and when other airlines do comp. top status, it is something I felt may have been offered, indeed should be on offer.

If they had any forward thinking, and studied my travel patterns, they would understand why giving me top tier might benefit SkyTeam. With lesser status there would be little incentive for me to move my business from the airlines I have it in already - but with top tier if I liked the service I might move my business, and find myself actually earning top tier in years to come ! You would have though that someone who flew over 160,000 miles in a 13 month period, much of it in J/F etc, would be someone they would want to attract, what ever it takes !

* = In fact, some people got given top status even though they did not have it with their own airlines ! Qantas Golds were comp'ed Star Alliance Golds even though Qantas Gold is only the second highest status !

Have just seen this on the Status Match Thread by the way, on a post from Oct '03, that states -

Continental : Will match status, generally to equivalent level up to Platinum (top tier).

So they do, or at least did, match top tier status, prooving my point.

Other US carriers that is states there also comp. their top tier status are - American West, Alaska, USAirways, AirTran, Frontier, Mexicana,... you get the point !

On this point, that is a good benefit, agreed (thought its not unique), but mid-tier status on Oneworld carriers (Sapphire) for e.g. gives you Lounge Access across the network even when flying in Y (plus 50% miles bonus)... so it is 6 of one, half a dozen of the other ! Depends on your preferences.

Oh, and on the subject of benefits, with top-tier status in QF I can go into the First Class lounges at any time, even when I am flying a totally unaffiliated airline that day (or on Oz Domestic even if I am not flying) ! (Does SkyTeam offer such a benefit to its most valued customers ?)

So if I can always make sure that when I fly SkyTeam I am in the same terminal as a QF lounge I won't need SkyTeam lounge access rights, but its unlikely this will be the case very often !

<i don't think LH comps anybody! Read the LH forum. Certainly not just anybody.

Will CO comp me to Gold??

As a UK based *A Gold (BD), I am an existing CO Silver(ex-Gold) and can evidence 3 *A t/atlantics, plus euro trips in last 3 months....have some more t/atlantic trips planned this year and need the double miles Gold bonus!.....WILL go *A unless they do comp tho.....