I'm not sure this fits here, but I also don't think it would do well in either the DL or AA fora.

Anyway, I recently (early this year) moved to a city that is not served by my previous carrier of choice, United. Since moving, I have earned both AA Plat and DL Gold Medallion status via challenges.

I have to connect on almost every trip, but after that connection, each airline serves my destinations with about equal convenience.

I've identified the following pros and cons for each program. As you can see from the (hopefully readable) chart below, DL is slightly more convenient because of hubs in CVG and ATL and a mini-hub at DFW. However, I have not used DL miles for anything as yet and would like some comments on how easy it is to find award availability to Europe, Asia (partner) and Hawaii. I've had pretty good luck using AA miles. Also, I assume that all DL miles, including bonus miles and those earned via CC will count toward Million Miler and lifetime status.

Based on my travel patterns YTD, I will probably be able to qualify at top tier in one program and lowest-to-middle tier in the other. I will use your input to help decide which program to focus on for the balance of the year. Thanks in advance.

AA

Pros
Shorter transit time to left coast (DFW)
MRTC on big planes (mostly)
Every mile counts toward lifetime status
Solvent
Can qual on segs.

Cons

100% RJs out of LIT
DFW sucks for connections
500 mile upgrades mean sit in back mostly


DL

Pros
Free u/g with decent clearing %
DL Amex card has 2x miles for many purch
More direct flights to hubs per day (CVG/ATL)
NW and CO as partners means more options for qualification
750 mile min (on the kind of fares I buy) per seg

Cons
About to go bankrupt?
Able to use miles?
Comair/ASA
ATL sux for connections

[edit to reformat so readable]