Kathy and Brian re-qualified months ago for the top tier of United Airlines for 2012.
We're less than happy with the way in which the Million Mile Flyer benefits have apparently been devalued, although we're not giving up on United yet.
Now we find out that what may be a computer glitch has promoted many of us to Continental's super-elite tier, known as Presidential Platinum Elite Status.
That status identifies customers who've spent a minimum of $30,000 on CO tickets. Uh, no we haven't (we're just a little over $29,000 short) but we've already printed out our new cards and will flash them at every opportunity.
Take that, George Clooney.
Kathy and Brian
Two retired educators alternating joyfully between seeing the world and enjoying our eight grandchildren (in order of birth), Jake, Avery, Taegan, Lily, Peyton, Riley, Blane, and Jace.
Kathy and Brian met in the clarinet section of the University of California (Santa Barbara) Symphony Orchestra several decades ago.
Brian's Western Canadian roots and Kathy's Colorado ties resulted in their making beautiful music together along with producing a cross-border crop of descendants.
Kathy spent a year studying in Vienna at the Institute for European Studies and the University of Vienna.
Brian started the school band program in Hope, British Columbia, and later became the high school's vice-principal for 6 years and subsequently principal for 15 years before retiring in 2001.
Kathy, in between raising our three children, taught kindergarten and first grade, middle school, and high school - mathematics, computer studies, ESL, and her first love, band, before retiring in 2001.
We enjoy sharing our travel experiences and providing the odd travel tip to friends, relatives, and visitors.