Longtime lurker/reader of FT. Always enjoyed the advice, insights and banter on this site. Now, I turn to you for advice.

Do I need to switch programs?

My travel calendar is pretty much planned already; I live in the middle of D.C. so DCA is my preferred airport, but I rarely fly within 1250 miles, and therefore have limited options.

I'm currently Elite 50K (Star Gold) on Air Canada Altitude/aeroplan (because i've never bothered to get out). Most of my travel for the year has yet to begin. So please feel free to weigh in - I can use the advice, because I'm at a loss of what to do given the various rules/opportunities each offers.

The programs I'm considering for 2014 are

- continue on Air Canada's Altitude
- United Mileage Plus
- the "New" American AAdvantage
- something else that i don't realize?

A few other truths that might help you asses:

I rarely cash in my miles (every couple of years, i'll use a couple of far away first class tickets, and burn 250K or something)

I hate layovers, so rarely use lounges, but almost always do when I have to change.

I bankroll all my own travel, so cost is an important factor.

In advance - a thank you to those that reply and give it some thought.

WAS-FLL
FLL-LAX
LAX-WAS
WAS-LAX
LAX-WAS
DCA-MSY
MSY-DCA
DCA-YOW
YOW-DCA
WAS-LAX
LAX-NRT
NRT-LAX
LAX-WAS
WAS-LAX
LAX-YEG
YEG-LAX
LAX-WAS
WAS-LAX
LAX-WAS
WAS-YUL
YUL-WAS
WAS-LAX
LAX-WAS
WAS-MEX
MEX-LAX
LAX-WAS
WAS-LAX
LAX-WAS
WAS-LAX
LAX-WAS
WAS-CDG
CDG-WAS
WAS-LAX
LAX-YOW
YOW-LAX
LAX-WAS