As you might be able to tell from my handle, I was a DC-based Mileage Plan member for 5 years before moving back to Seattle. I stuck with AS after moving to DC from the west coast precisely because of the ability to earn EQM's and MVPG 100% bonus on AA and DL (and NW and TW at the time).

Back in 2002-2003 you could even comp UG on IAD-SEA pretty reliably. And I've had good luck even since then on LAX-DCA. SEA-DCA is probably the hardest comp UG in the system.

So if you don't care about domestic UG's or having to make connections in DFW/ORD/DTW/ATL, and care most about earning for international premium class redemptions, go for it.