I think a lot of it depends on where you live and what you eventually want to get out of the frequent flyer program.

Do you have a route that you usually travel? Who has the best fares on that route? Who has direct flights from your home to where you usually travel {while other people do not mind stops just to get more miles, I dread having to change planes and waste time}?

I am partial to American, but then I live in one of their hubs and have a lot more flexibility with them. They also have a bigger network and partners that will open a lot of possibilities in the future.

Also once you have decided, apply for that card first and apply for the card for the other program after. There is no reason not to get another round trip if you can.


PS: You seem to have been reading enough Flyertalk to not even consider Delta ^