I appreciate everyone's input. I will continue to evaluate all the programs mentioned and try to pick a number one and a number two AL. I am leaning towards CO and AA for various reasons. I have had bad experiences on UA and have already read much unhappiness on the UA board. I seem to have good luck finding reasonable fares on CO out of DCA. I am not planning much in the way of international travel for the next few years and I like CO's partners list. It seems between CO and AA I can get just about anywhere in the country and maximize my miles in mostly one of the two with the second being a back-up. It is likely I will travel enough in 2002 to make elite in two programs. Does anyone know if CO has an elite challenge program like AA?