Originally Posted by
eponymous_coward
I disagree. Either AA or DL would be quite workable on those routes from LAX. Also, UA flies RJs on SEA-LAX and doesn't have great timing on those routes. AS flies big jets and many more flights (plus BUR nonstop service too).
To be honest, I think we need to know a bit more about the OP's potential travel patterns.
I am sure the OP will do a few other leisure trips other than what he will be flying for work, so UA has more destinations than AA/DL. Plus with SFO only an hour away you can literally go anywhere in the World.
AA is only good if you are EXP, other than that, eew. Also their J product stinks, so the only thing they have going for them in that area is that the eVIPs are good from any fare. Granted AS has big jets going from LAX-SEA, but the OP will not be able to upgrade on this flight using his AA credentials and the target date for elite reciprocity is still unknown. So really, based on his flying, the only advantage of joining AA/DL is LAX-SEA, but on other routes UA is either the same [LAX-SFO] or better. Also, IME the CR7s [with DL] is a rather pleasant flying experience and UA has E+ on the CR7s too.
Also, for UA you only have to fly 75K to get SWUs and CR-1s/RU, not 100K anymore. And if you want to status match to AA you have to pay for the Plat challenge [IIRC], which is dumb.
I agree, we should wait for the OP to give us an estimate of how many BIS miles he is planning on flying next year
I naturally assumed 50Kish.