Thank you everyone for all the help. Seriously this has been a VERY enlightening discussion. I decided to go with the UA/CO combo. I did this for quicker elite status and I won't be generating enough miles for multiple alliances. AA and DL options were noteworthy, but I am going with one pony. I won't be generating over 100K EQM flying each year with any predictability. I could hit 100K or 125K.. or it could be 50K. Just don't know at this time. Regarding JetBlue/Virgin etc., I spoke to my employer and learned they have discounted fare arrangements with AA/UA/CO (no DL), so that also elminted DL and JetBlue from the picture. Came down to AA vs. UA and then I went to keep with one pony. I've learned so much about traveling in this forum its a little shocking how little I knew before. Thank you everyone for your help.

I've now evolved my discussion into a new question (give miles to CO or UA), which I have posted in a different thread (I have seen this question posted in other forums).

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...l#post13114205

Below is essence of that post (the rough draft):

Upon more review of my travel plans, I will be conservatively generating 50-75K EQM by flying every year (I like to forecast conservatively). I will be trying to take the CO non-stop from SNA/EWR where possible (e.g., EWR/SNA sold out for this Thu), which I think will comprise 50% of my total travel. I will be able to get paid upgrades for 25-50% of my non-stop flights out of SNA->EWR via CO. The other 50% of my total travel is still an unknown, but I think it will be comprised of non-stop out of LAX and 1-stops out of SNA. Company policy doesn't have JBLU as an option.

The question I now face is which airline to give my miles to. With CO I can hit platinum at 75K vs. 100K for UA. I am not sure if the 50K status on both carriers (gold vs. PE) stack up equally. *net blocking is not a concern for me. UA has the Chase Visa Access card for an easy 10K EQMs to get elite status quicker + gives Economy+ seats until I build up my status. Continentals EQM credit card is much more stingy. I consider the 10K EQMs to be meaningful vs. my unpredictable level/frequency of flying.

However, is this credit card meaningless for elite purposes as I will unlikely hit 1K and I will be flying CO for the most part (at least 40% of my flights and potentially 50-75% of them)? On flip side, I will hit Gold, but not in next few months like you folks.

UA pros: 10K EQM headstart via credit card
CO pros: 75K elite, giving them most of my actual flying miles

UA cons: no 75K platinum level
CO cons: no good credit card to build up status faster

I am honestly 50/50. I don't want to get the UA credit card and "waste" the 10K EQM bonus by then accruing EQM on Continental, but I want the access to Economy+ seating while I build up status. I like building status faster to gold on onOn flip side, I don't want to get 75K miles etc. on UA and then wonder why I didn't go with CO and get plat on my "native" carrier.