[QUOTE] how many flown mi on your expanded msy-rdu monthly trip on aa, us/ua, dl? /QUOTE]

Generally speaking, on American, the trip would consist of 4 or 6 segments with 2886 or 3600 miles per trip.
On United, the segments would be the same and the mileage would likely be 2586 or 3750 per trip.

[QUOTE] Making a decision like this depends greatly on how you wish to use your miles. It's generally considered easier to use miles on UA and (to a lesser extent) AA than it is on DL. /QUOTE]

I would like to use my miles for vacation travel. I am also going to switch credit cards to a card like the Chase Ink to maximize my mileage account.

[QUOTE] Who's paying for the travel? Is it business or a long distance relationship? /QUOTE]

The travel is employer funded, but travel policies dictate that I must be reasonable, so no booking in F or Full-Y.

[QUOTE] It is also a huge, huge hassle to search for and spend DL miles. /QUOTE]

I agree. I am not a fan of the minimum revenue requirement of Delta. My father travels 75% for work and is a Diamond member, but I just don't see the value in it from an awards perspective. I did like the fact that he was upgraded nearly 95% of the time. I am not that familiar with United's upgrade policy, but how does the complementary upgrades work in practice? I would not likely be a 1K, but am thinking that I could easily get into the mid range of the status game.