I think ultimately I have to stay AA until I'm no longer Explat because I enjoy the free domestic upgrades and the SWUs. But once I'm no longer Explat, I may need to look elsewhere, perhaps......assuming no variables change, which is highly unlikely given my stage in life.

LAS, I have to keep those trips -- I can actually relax in Vegas, as odd as that sounds. I appreciate your advice on all other aspects, it was definitely helpful. I know the switch from one FF program to another will be painful when I eventually do it. I can just tell, it's going to be harder than ending a relationship or quitting a job. It's full-time work getting status, and it's something I value.

The prior comment about the travel and keeping same FF programs, she has gold/premier on AA/United, so it's pretty much a toss up. She's historically used her miles for her Melbourne, London, Paris annual trips so her balances are low and her annual miles earning power not as high. However, her longstanding loyalty is to United, so I think eventually I may need to relent, but only if it's when I am sub-explat, because I don't think she'll complain too much if we take a nice trip somewhere this year with the SWUs (and she'll get some big AA miles in the process). The year the SWUs go, though, I'll be on less firm footing and will be more open to switching, I guess.