Wow! Thanks for all the great information! I failed to mention that we both have Amex Plat so lounge access is not an issue. From what I am reading here AA is the way to go. For me I would like the abililty to book our seats early on our international trips and for her I would like her to earn the ability to get upgraded. Sounds like an AA membership should work.

Now how to I determine if she should challenge for gold or plat on AA? She has four roundtrip flights booked already in the next 3 months. Two are to Montogomery AL (from San Diego via Dallas) and two are to Houston (via Dallas).

Thanks!