United also gives 6 upgrades a year to 100,000 mile flyers good on all routes on all but the lowest international booking fares (W fares and above international). The new changes in UA Mileage Plus allow bonus EQMs for higher fare economy tickets. UA and the Star Alliance network will get you to all those places you mentioned.

There are good arguments for both Star Alliance and One World. On UA's side the upgrades can be used on UA and on standby basis with LH. On AA's side they give 8 upgrades per year and less restrictions on booking codes. One disadvantage for AA is no mileage accrual for flying British Airways across the Atlantic and that is a real disadvantage at times for someone who frequents Europe. On the other side, UA now allows Mileage Plus elite members to receive their mileage bonus when flying Lufthansa flights which means more miles on European flights when connecting to LH for flights to Nice and such.

E-mail me if you really want to develop a detailed analysis of the best frequent flyer program based on your travel preferences. I have similar traveling preferences (upgraded international 6 to 8 times a year), but I achieve it at a much lower cost.


[This message has been edited by satori (edited Jan 26, 2004).]