Up until this year, this also drove me. I am at almost 800K lifetime BIS miles now.

But at this point, I fear that UA simply will not survive. Or at least, the chances of it surviving as one of the leading airlines seems very slim. I can't help but think of the decline and fall of PanAm when I look at UA these days. Eastern Airlines as well. Some of the younger folks around here have never seen a leading US carrier go completely away. FF miles, etc worth nothing. But it has happened. And it will happen again. My bet is UA will go this route.

So MM status is not longer a consideration, or not much of one. The BIS miles for CR-1s still impact my decision making. But that only drives 40k miles or so per year. The rest can be on LH or other *A partners to make 1k. Then on to 9W or other better quality carriers.