Where did we leave off?  So, I ended up deciding to migrate from United to US Airways.  I got a silver challenge from a coworker and completed the 10 segments for that so I finished the year Gold with Delta, Silver Preferred with US Airways, and Premier Silver with United.  If I had applied the 10 segments to United I would have been Gold with them, but since I’m crediting everything to US Airways this year and rarely check bags or have the opportunity for Star Alliance lounge access when traveling internationally I figured I’d just end that way.  In retrospect I should have finished as Premier Gold on United and waited for the Silver Preferred Challenge starting in January, but oh well.  Mileage running for 10 segments wasn’t in my cards either.

I’m already at 14 segments with US Airways (actually upgraded on 5 of those as Silver and another 6 were RJs without F so not too bad!), and 19 segments on Delta (with a pretty crappy upgrade percentage this year).

As far as hotels go I finished as Diamond with Hilton and still Silver with Marriott.  I think I was about 20 nights shy of Gold, but that’s what happens when I spend most of my time flying to meetings and not really staying anywhere.  If Marriott counted stays the way Hilton does I might eventually climb with them, but they have their method that works for them.

Since I now get chauffeured to most of my meetings and Avis actually checks to see whether you got 13 rentals I dropped from First to normal Preferred.  I remember before the First program begging to get upgraded to Preferred Select after I had done 20 or so rentals because their computer system just didn’t check for that regularly, but a simple fax to them for that corrected.  I also dropped from National Executive Aisle.  Since I never rent cars it doesn’t really matter to me.

As far as credit cards go I’m currently using my Hilton AMEX Surpass for Hiltons, the Barclay US Airways Card for way too many spending categories until I hit the spending to get PQMs, then I’ll probably change from the J.P. Morgan Visa to another Chase card that accrues more URs and use the Hilton Amex or the Chase card depending on category.  It’s about time for a new credit card or App O Rama since I bought a house and a new car last year so I can churn for a bit before worrying about inquiries.

So that sums up my past few months.  Critique away!

As a valued customer and member of Avis Preferred®, we want to share exciting news about enhancements to your service. Beginning June 7, 2012 we’re launching Avis Preferred Select & Go––a new service that puts you in control. Select & Go will be available at 50 airport locations in the United States and Canada by the end of 2012.

NEW Avis Preferred Select & Go
Select & Go gives you the freedom to select the vehicle that’s right for you and your trip. We will continue to pre-assign your vehicle based on your preferences, and now you’ll have three options when you reserve an intermediate or larger vehicle:

1. Keep: Check your email* or the Preferred board for your pre-assigned vehicle. If you’re happy with it, drive to the Exit Booth as usual.

2. Exchange: If your vehicle isn’t exactly what you want, select a different one from our Select & Go Exchange area at no extra charge.

3. Upgrade: Choose from our Select & Go Upgrade area—including Cool Cars, specialty vehicles, SUVs and more—for an additional daily charge.**

New Faster Service
Because your time is valuable, your Rental Agreement will no longer be in your vehicle. Simply drive your selected vehicle to the Exit Booth where an Avis representative will get you on your way quickly and easily––no additional paperwork required!

We thank you for making Avis your choice for your car rental needs and we look forward to you driving with us again soon.

I’m a fan of National since they allow me to select a car.  I wonder how this will play out with Avis, but I think it is a step in the right direction.

Now that I have my new driver’s license I’ve been submitting name change requests to everyone.

American and Avis have been the easiest so far…just fill in the info and that’s it.  Others will accept faxes, others e-mail.  Now to wait and see all the updates trickle in.

So far the worst name changer is Citi Credit Cards.  I have 2 photo cards with them.  The policy is that names can be changed online unless you have a photo card which requires a new signature.  I submitted my new signature over a week ago and while everyone else I changed names with since then has sent me new credit cards (AMEX, my bank, my non-photo citi card), the accounts with the photo cards still reflect my old name.  I tried just changing my name online as well.  Apparently that + an iPad purchase = fraud.  Citi fraud alert seems to call me regularly now.  It makes me want to move even more off the pathetic program that is Thank You Points.

Set the counter.  I just overnighted my passport, photos, etc to the passport agency to get a new passport and finally get a passport card.  The goal is to just carry my passport card and leave my passport book at home unless I’m actually flying internationally.  I’ll smash the PP card so the RFID is inactive, but I think I’ll leave the RFID active in the passport book because I have issues at immigration as it is.

My progress changing my Frequent Travel accounts

(for the next sectionproof = a copy of the wallet-size marriage license, without proof = I just said change my name)

• AirTran Airways- faxed them with proof on 3/28, account updated first thing on 3/29.  They added a middle initial to my A+ account and my travel agent doesn’t use middle initials or titles which has caused issues with Airtran before.  We shall see…
• American Airline – I guess thanks to the Secure Flight name B.S. they have a form on their website to update both first and last name without proof as long as a last name change is due to marriage or something else.  I filled out the form on 3/28.
• Avis – Just change the name of the profile and wait. Changed 3/28
• Delta – Faxed proof early 3/29 and account updated in the evening 3/29.  I’m not sure if I can get a new SkyClub card or not.  I requested a new Gold Medallion card.  I have a flight in my old name next week.  Let’s see how that goes.
• Hilton HHonors – I faxed them proof  on 3/29 and I’m waiting.
• jetBlue – I can’t find anything on their website.  Since individual points expire after 12 months without their AMEX I have no points with them.  They are also usually not conducive to my clients since they are all MidWest or West coast so I may just create a new account with them.  It will take the same amount of effort.
• Marriott – One part of the website said write, another said write or call.  I faxed proof to the customer service number on 3/28
• National – faxed proof early 3/29 and changed on 3/29
• Priority Club – They claimed to accept fax, call, or e-mail so I e-mailed my proof on 3/28 and my name was updated on 3/29 although it was cutoff.
• Starwood Preferred Guest - I didn’t write anything down.  I don’t know if  I ever submitted this or not.

Not yet submitted – I have flights this week and next booked on United/US Airways so I haven’t submitted my United one yet…

This year I’m in pretty much the same boat I was in last year except on the rental car front.

• Airlines: still 1P with United and Gold with Delta. Hit 75,000 and 60,000 respectively
• Hotels: still Diamond with Hilton and Silver with Marriott. Lost status with SPG, but only because that was conferred from a credit card and I shifted my spending to Hilton AMEX.
• Rental cars: Avis First *ahem* I mean Last. National got up to Executive Aisle and I made 5 star with Hertz, but I haven’t rented with Hertz since then.

In a couple weeks it all resets to 0 and the race begins again.