OK. It seems I need to be more specific.

I would mainly fly domestically (if at all internationally). Like someone above mentioned, most of them would be NY, LAS, or MCO-type flights for family vacations. That being said, my miles would, most definitely, be used for status with *A or US Air. So I guess the question lies between US AIR's treatment of me or easy lounge access with the foreign program referred to above (except having status with them would most likely be useless, as I won't be flying on their planes at all)

I like the idea of obtaining *A gold status with 20k miles and getting access to the lounge, but are you sure that would apply to domestic flights? I called CLT's US Air lounge and the lady said the *G rule only applies on international flights. Unless, of course, all american flights would be considered "international" to the foreign program (that would be a nice loop-hole!); am I correct there?

And from your guys' prior experience, what do you think is more important? Loyalty to prominent carrier or always being able to relax during long layovers?

So I guess the new competitors are DM miles (Loyalty to US AIR) or A3's "Miles&Bonus" program (Easy lounge access).