Originally Posted by
crimson12
Thanks Gardyloo. I'm based in NYC so I have access to most airlines from here. I tend to fly AA/US BIS for work enough to qualify for Platinum on AA and maybe more if things line up just right. More flexible on leisure trips; recently we've flown LH, AZ, have EI and VA coming up. Other than that I tend to accumulate miles from credit card signups. The three "miscellaneous" miles I have right now (AS, LH, AV) were from credit cards. I don't do much in the way of MS, maybe a couple thousand a month, if that, depending on what I have access to and when. I have thought more about AS (particularly given partnerships with both AA and DL). Right now the main benefit I get of AA status other than the extra RDMs is getting the 'economy plus' seating for free when I have to fly in the back; I've got a bunch of AA upgrade stickers that I have not really tried to use (just a couple of times on transcons where I didn't clear). I like early boarding but can live without it; I like priority lines for security but have Pre-Check so that takes care of that. I can get lounge access from some credit card or another, and status doesn't get lounge access on domestic itineraries anyway.
All of which leads me to think that the SPG card might be effective for you. As for AS, well, based in Seattle it's my second program of choice (after AA) but I wouldn't take any bets on how long the marriage (or, actually shacking up) between AS and DL is going to last. DL is making a major, major move on AS turf - up and down the west coast, Alaska from SEA, etc. - and reports are rife that the sheets are soon to be split.
AS' redemption rates are pretty good (CX J and F are screaming bargains) and the $100 annual companion ticket with the B of A credit card is nice if you don't mind flying coach (it was fabulous when they allowed F) but in NYC that means very few routes (EWR-SEA-XXX) where you can use it.
So maybe AS is a good second program, at least until any divorce with DL occurs, but I'd definitely be on the lookout for third party cards like the SPG one, where you can shift points into discreet airline FFPs.