I've been either Gold or Platinum every year on UA or CO since about 2002. It is mid-April 2018, and so far this year I've taken 21 flights on WN, 4 flights on VX, 2 flights on AS and 2 flights on DL. I have not deliberately avoided UA, but a WN companion pass means that UA has to be significantly cheaper than WN if I'm flying with the Mrs. Historically about half of the WN flights would have gone to UA along with the VX/AS/DL flights. I also feel that at a similar price point VX/DL/AS offers a better value than UA.

In a world where my current UA Gold Status does not yield upgrades or significantly better service, the only real benefit of elite status versus my premium UA credit card is E+. That's not enough to earn my business.

So---in a nutshell I'll probably end up taking a couple UA flights this year, but as they treat me transactionaly I'm doing likewise. Overall I'm paying less, happier and more comfortable. I miss the great people at my home SFO station, but we'll see when I next get to see them.