Ok, first the disclaimers-- newbie to the site and completely overwhelmed with the amount of info here, but the knowledgebase here is endless. I am also relatively new to travelling as well (about 50k trav 2009). I apologize in advance if sounding long winded, but I have the understanding more detailed info about my situation will better help those wishing to provide their input (which I GREATLY appreciated in advance)!

As my title says, a lot of info here is quite outdated with a number of improvements multiple programs are implementing lately. I also realize the same answer is not applicable to all, for various reasons. Let me start by stating my "stats":

I am based out of LAX (which gives me limitless choices, thus complicating), will be travelling 80-90% thru job, with them paying for DEEP discount tickets, 95% domestic.

I have achieved Gold status on Delta for next year and with rollover MQMs (and AmEx Plat card), see that as a reasonable status to maintain. I expect to fly maybe 75k in 2010, but not any more.

From my experience with Delta and recent trips with US and AA, I have to say, Delta pretty much rocks! 1st class upgrades 3 days in advance (I even got upgraded once to the 160 degree beds on 777-200 to ATL that came from SYD) and inflight entertainment (most planes have screens in every seat even coach) give them #1 in my book. US doesn't even have screens in their 1st class (A320 series, which is majority of their domestic) and AA only gives half credit on deep discount tickets.

Ok, so maybe I've answered my own question, but here are my thoughts:

I will be doing a good bit of LAX-ORD (Delta doesn't have non-stop) and I think I should divest myself and get involved with Star Alliance (which I now know is abbreviated as *A). I think it would be better to have 2nd tier with Delta nnd 1st tier with *A than just 3rd tier Delta- input here??

From the research I have done and experience above, I am pretty much ruling US out. It seems like a toss up between CO and UA, but I absolutely hate the 500 mile cert on UA but have read those are going away. The award chart is the same for both (I assume because of both being *A).

I guess I am just leaning towards CO. I do enjoy my inflight entertainmet as well- not sure if CO or UA can match Delta on that. Again any input here would be awesome


Ok, think I will leave it at that for now- Happy New Year to all!