I started flying and accumulating miles in earnest in 2006. My first real credit card was the Delta Skymiles card, which was a joy and delight (good marketing) initially.

I starting thinking about status earnestly in 2009, but didn't plan it right (did a European trip on Swiss Air at an economy fare with low mileage) and ended 2009 with 15k MQM's on Delta. No dice.

In 2010, did an enormous amount of travel (50 segments) including three work trips to SF from IAD, a IAD-FRA-BOM, and a bunch of trips to NY.

Ended the 2010 with United Premier with 27 Delta Status segments/21500 MQMS.

I have the Delta Platinum card, for which I pay $150 a year, get free checked bags, and accumulate a small number of miles. My main card is the SPG Amex, for which i'm Gold and use the points. I've only used Delta points for one redemption, which was last minute to Las Vegas, with one leg (which became two) upgraded to First. I don't care for ATL.

The main reason I'd fly Delta is for the shuttle to NYC and flights from DC to Florida. I'll do 4-8 of these in 2011. I feel enormous loyalty to the Delta Shuttle and to some extent to Delta but I'd like to get *G and consolidate my miles.

Thoughts? One idea is to just scrap the Delta Card, try the US Airways Shuttle, and focus my attention on Star Alliance.

Though then i'm flying USair to FL and NY.

Torturous decision. Help