andrzej and fly co to see the yanks: Thanks for your feedback. I actually flew AA for the first time as a paying passenger over Labor Day weekend (AA miles were transferred from TW). Coach on AA is far superior to coach on CO/NW.

I guess my only concerns are with the elite qualification rules on the One World partners. Based on what I have read, AAdvantage members don't earn ANY elite qualification credits on discounted fares with Cathay Pacific and a few others. Am I reading this correctly? Also, AAdvantage members get nothing for transatlantic BA flights. Considering that BA flies TPA-LGW, the ability to earn AAdvantage miles on BA would make this choice a no-brainer.

I've pretty much narrowed it down to AA and UA. The E+ seating in UA would be a major advantage, but MRTC on AA would make my qualification period less "painful."

Thanks again!