In September, prior to the announcement from UA, I received an unsolicited Elite Fast Track offer from AA which would front me with Platinum status, 20 500-mile upgrades, and I could retain the status if I flew 12,500 EQMs within a 90 day period. Figured out travel and balanced remaining 2019 trips between UA (to maintain Platinum and bump up MileagePlus balance) and AA. Post UA-announcement, decided to do the minimum to maintain Platinum on UA (a combo of burning Flex PQMs that will be worthless and only 1.5 trips on UA) and changing other trips to AA to go for Platinum Pro by flying 20,000 EQMs.

Is the grass greener on AA? No, and I can only imagine the train-wreck I am going to get into. I figured maybe a year to let the smoke clear, take advantage of holding dual Elite status and just having more options to either find lower flights or find lower tiered mileage awards (since AA doesn't appear to be going the dynamic route as of yet) but I can't see the value of spending more money to retain status on UA since with the new requirements at best I will hit Silver, might be able to squeeze it out to Gold. If UA had a product that was superior, then sure they can have my money. If they instead try and thin the Elite ranks (which isn't a bad thing to some extent IMHO) and raise the Elite requirements to be mostly $$$ based, they are more or less making it so it is more of a privilege than a right to fly UA and that people should "pay up." Except here is the biggest thing that UA is forgetting:
THEY DON'T HAVE THE ONBOARD PRODUCT OR SERVICE THAT WARRANTS A PREMIUM

If Polaris wasn't Big Front-Flat Bed with Domestic F catering.....but UA is going to charge more $$$ for, if the F experience wasn't Big-Front Seat with Free BoB....but UA is going to charge more $$$ , and if Y wasn't UA doing the bare minimum compared to what DL is offering.....but still trying to charge more $$$......then maybe I would be more inclined to stay. But what has UA done in the past 2 years to improve? Added some pretzels/stroopwafels but made drastic cuts in the premium cabin with no future improvements. Okay we have Polaris lounges and the UA Clubs are marginally better....okay they added a few more tools. But its not enough that warrants the premium they are really seeking.