Commencing next year I've decided to switch all my flying to Virgin Australia and partner partner airlines.

My decision to do so was based on the following:

• Virgin Australia has given me a complimentary gold status match for my UA Gold Status.
• The announcement that the alliance between Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines has been now been officially ratified. SQ is my preferred carrier for all flights to & from Asia.
• I can now fly SYD-NYC combining Virgin Australia and Virgin America and to other US locations with Delta.
• Just booked a return business class fare from SYD-LAS for over $A4,000 less than what UA was quoting.
• Availability of credit cards here in Australia that allow me to credit points to Virgin's Velocty FF scheme (wasn't able to do that for UA).

I realise that I'm giving up some of the unique award benefits that UA has compared to other programs but in recent years they are becoming harder to come by as testified in postings on this forum.

As a 1MM MP member I will still retain my Gold Status should my decision prove not to be as rewarding as I first thought.