Originally Posted by pinniped

here's what I like about AA Gold:

- Onshore phone support that is (usually) halfway decent and accessible.
- Airport agents that are (usually) pleasant and competent.
- Good irrops support the 3-4 times I've needed help in the past couple of years.
- Exit rows and other desirable coach seats are available at booking time.
- The e500 upgrade system as opposed to UDU. On UA, US, or DL, low-tiers only see F after all of the higher-tiers have been automatically upgraded. On AA, Platinum members have to decide whether to use their e500's to upgrade. This leaves more flights open to Golds upgrading - especially the short-hauls and midcons that I fly. (Figure your transcons out of NYC are going to be full enough of higher elites that you won't get those upgrades.)
*** I mean, it's still a low-tier so I wouldn't set my expectations terribly high. But I do think AA Gold makes travel on AA at least tolerable - better than what UA 2P will become in 2012.

Originally Posted by chemist661

I like AA Gold for the low (25K) level. US call centers, free bags, better seats, etc. For me, having a USA call center is HUGE. Even with no status, AA treated me decently. When I had to call for a simple thing with UA, I usually had to deal with India or Manila. Not the same as a USA call center.

DL silver may be OK but I would think with so many ways to get silver w/o flying (credit cards--Silver status in the past for transferring 50K from AMEX MR to DL), I would guess that upgrades would be more difficult than with AA.

My vote goes for AA. One way awards, reasonable saver award inventory on awards, etc. Upgrade (500 milers) don't presently expire. Of course, don't expect to get upgraded too easily on a peak hub route (recent example: LAX-DFW this Friday morning). I am lifetime Gold (1 Million Miler).