If at some future point I were to change my mind about UA (if only for maintaining mileage, not earning status) is there any value to getting their CC and such; I've had various versions before? AC has a CC that I believe is available in the US but I admit to already having too many CCs as is.AC is by far my preferred option to Asia (where I plan to travel more of the the next few years) and on long hauls (TA I usually suck it up at least one way in regular Y and I'm not that demanding) I prefer PE. This time in particular I may be traveling with a foot injury and couldn't risk it still being an issue with a bit less room to move.

I'm aware of the exasperation CCs cause as part of this conversation and how they do cannibalize many of the status benefits, but as my current employer doesn't allow us much travel I don't see chasing status as particularly likely or valuable at this time, or as much as it once was. I don't really need the relative accrual (wasn't even aware that was an option until I did some digging based on your info) but will keep that in the back of my skull.

Thank you all once again for your help, you've been invaluable. I have continued to lurk in the SAS forum for a decade, even when I haven't been flying as much because it's so informative and thoughtful.