Originally Posted by Thunderroad

Off the top of my head - and speaking as a former UA loyalist who's switched to AA - I'd think AA would be better because its overall a better-run airline, its frequent flyer program is better (at least right now, though I suspect it will remain superior to UA's if both deteriorate in coming years), LAX is an AA hub (in case you're doing domestic travel) and CX is a great airline (including for redeeming AA miles). But my experience is as an AA top tier (Executive Platinum) who has lots of AA miles to redeem for CX first class travel, so my orientation might be different from yours.

A few matters you might want to clarify and consider to get the best advice:

1. What do you mean by your AA status being "honored"? If what you means is that you'll accumulate miles, you're probably on firmer ground with AA. I'm pretty sure that if you fly CX and other AA partners in discount economy you get one AA mile redeemable mile for each mile flown, whereas on UA partners you might get less than this. But you should look into this to confirm.
2. What are you interested in doing with your status and miles? Accumulate miles for free international trips (and to what part of the world)? Domestic trips? And if so, in what class of service...economy/business/first? Or are you more interested in seeking domestic upgrades? Or other purposes?
3. What is your usual destination in Asia? And do you fly enough domestically in the USA so that it is a factor in AA versus UA?
4. What class of service will you be flying in your paid trips to Asia? Economy/premium economy/business/first?

Originally Posted by festriaqua

Thanks for the suggestions.

What I wanted to know is if I will have the same chance getting upgraded flying CX on AA gold compare with UA silver on UA/SA flights, ditto other benefits.

Most of my flights are for work and i alway book flex fares. So always 100% redeemable.

I fly economy, so hoping the status might up my chance of getting preferred seating and the extra mileage bonus.

In the past I was based in Asia and used UA all the way. Most of my awards have been used on trips to Asian islands, but recently starting to use it for the EU as well.



I work with many CE manufacturers, so the usual trip include TPE, HKG, ICN, and mainland China cities. That's why CX is very convenient since I can do the entire trip with just CX and KA. Generally there are 3 or 4 annual Asia trips; only 1 or 2 trips domestically.