First time post (it's about time I guess).

Looking for a new airline / frequent flyer program to replace US Air Chairmans.

I just moved to Los Angeles from Phoenix (hence US Air). LAX is the closest airport, but Long Beach, Orange County, and Burbank are within an hour.

I fly 1 or 2x per month to Miami/Fort Lauderdale (most traveled by far), 4x a year to Germany, and also occasionally SFO/SJC, ATL, JFK, DCA/IAD, and PHX.

I own my own business, so price is important, but first class upgrades are #1.

I travel about 130,000 air miles a year, max the credit card miles, and work the deals as best I can.

So, what do you think? Anyone based out of LA do a lot of East Coast travel?

AA flies non-stop from LAX to MIA, and has a challenge program which will give me Platinum for $150 plus 10,000 miles within 3 months. But I am not too excited about the $150 cost to upgrade to first each way to Miami while Platinum. JetBlue and Alaska also fly non-stop to Miami area.

Not real pleased with US Air right now, so I am considering other 1 stops to FL or East Coast. Delta has been my second choice for travel all along, and I am already silver.

Finally, can you sticky a tutorial on how to search for info on other threads, with maybe an example on finding flight options from various cites?

Great site, I use it all the time for deals.

SR in LA