I currently fly united mostly from EWR, but with my travel patterns changing, I am finding that nearly half my flights (about 15-16 round trips) are to CLT and PIT, both of which are AA hubs. I can fly out of LGA but it means dealing with the bridge/tunnel as I live in NJ. LGA is marginally nearer (27 miles) vs EWR (32 miles), but unpredictability is greater. I also find that AA (A321) uses better aircrafts for the CLT segments than UA (Embraer/CRJ). I can also access the lounge in PIT and CLT with AA. UA has no lounges in these 2 cities. The other trips I do may are evenly split with UA (SFO, DEN) and AA (PHX, BOS). The dilemma stems from the fact that EWR is a better home airport for me, while most of the cities I fly into is an AA hub/focus city.

Would AA or UA be better for my future travels?

1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?

Service, airplane quality, lounge, timeliness, award access in that order. Lounge access is important, but that I can get through credit cards as long as the airport has the lounge.

2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?

50,000 - 75,000 miles, 30 - 35 segments round trips (60 - 70 segments)

3. What fare class do you usually buy?

Economy

4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?

Work mostly, economy class.

5. Which routes do you fly most often?

Domestic USA mostly for work (30-35 round trips), 1 asia (work), 1 europe (pleasure / award travel); Half of the round trips are to CLT and PIT. The rest would be to SFO, PHX, DEN, BOS

6. What is your home airport?

EWR (32 miles), LGA (27 miles); I live in NJ so don't have to deal with bridge/tunnel if I go to EWR. LGA is slightly nearer, but time taken is variable.

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?

UA Silver; 232000 miles, 84000 lifetime miles

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
UA/AA/DL