Like all of us, I travel....alot. It's all out of pocket personal expense for the most part. I live in New York and can use JFK/LGA/EWR as my home base. Given the new Continental/United frequent flier sharing, I have a bit more flexibility in the Star Alliance. Here's my dilemma, and I'm deferring to the experts on this:

I currently have AA Exec Platinum status for all of 2010. I am Premier on United. I have nothing on Delta (though I could ask for status match to Gold, from what I've seen, but not confirmed). Should I give up my domestic Exec Platinum benefits in 2010, and switch alliances?

My situation:

I have a girlfriend that alternates living in Miami and Chicago, with a whole bunch of her own travelling in between for business. I have flown to many random cities the past 2 years while we've been dating, hence all of my travel.

What do I value? Security and status, knowing I will get home to show up for work on Monday morning. I have probably flown 43 of 48 weekends YTD, and never once have I missed a day of work. This is important, i can't underestimate that. When I have to fly non-AA, I will buy first class sometimes to ensure my travel/personal life does not interfere with work. Should something unexpected occur, I view the first class ticket as rebooking, on-time(ish) arrival insurance.

I love AA's domestic upgrades -- and considering I am Explat, I have them all of 2010....are Star Alliance or Delta's upgrade hit rate as high as AAs are? I have been upgraded on all but 2 of approximately 60 flights this year on AA.


Below are my 3 most common routes, all Friday night flights out with Sunday returns, with my thoughts on each:

1) NYC to LAS -- I play cards. I say I visit vegas 9 to 12 times per year. I might have a problem, but that's for another thread. AA does not fly direct to Las Vegas, except when I work during the day. Delta has great Friday night flights and a bunch of Sunday returns. Continental also has an 8:55 flight at night. All direct.....except AA.

2) NYC to ORD -- this is a United and American route. Delta only flies from JFK at 7:20 pm. I'm unsure I can make that on Friday nights.

3) NYC to MIA -- AA services this the best, Continental has an 8:35 flight out on Friday nights.

The wildcards: I have a single trip I need to book to Hong Kong via Narita in business class in March 2010. This is a huge status-gainer for 2010 I cannot waste (I wasted it on Star last year, hence my status). It's for work, and thus I would not use my American SWUs anyway. Whatever choice I end up making, I'd like to select one of these alliances in advance, as I have 2 Vegas trips planned in January, and I would like to get the qualification for 2010 going.

I don't think the earned SWUs should come into play in the decision-making process. I will give them to my parents or my girlfriend when she travels internationally this year. It was about the "pursuit" (Up in the Air Reference), not the reward. Sunk costs are sunk in terms of luxury, but if I keep American, obviously, I could enjoy them myself. All international trips I take this year should be flown on the alliance I choose, regardless of SWUs.

I know there's been a massive shakeup in Delta SkyMiles, and it doesn't appear you guys like it.....at all. This makes me apprehensive.

Finally, I think EWR is a terribly unreliable airport. I'm basing this on gut and experience, not empirical information. I find JFK/LGA to be most reliable on the routes I fly. Yes, I might be delayed, but I always feel I will land there given my routes. I have less confidence in EWR. Plus, I can get to LGA/JFK by subway/train (yes you can take the subway 90% of the way to LGA from Manhattan) much faster from work on a Friday afternoon than EWR.

Please help me decide the best alliance, given the above criteria. I am indebted to your collective experience and knowledge. Plus, I know you're the only group of people out there that feels my pain on this.