Originally Posted by Efrem
Unless you're one of the rare individuals whose travel patterns are met equally well by both airlines, you're putting the cart before the horse. Absent FF programs, considering such mundane things as where they fly to, when, how often, and for how many $$, which would you tend to fly more? Unless that's a coin-toss or the FF programs are worlds apart, which they're not, base your decision on that. Then, that airline's FF program is what it is. Use FT and other resources to figure out how to use it to best advantage (though not necessarily AAdvantage).
I moved to MSN from BOS, where I was a CO PLAT. CO only flies to CLE and EWR (1 RJ/day) from MSN. Being a CO PLAT did nothing for me without NW here, to be honest.
Then I took about 18 months off from flying entirely.
When I started up again, I found that the AA PLT challenge was the best way to get status quickly. I stayed with them through 2004 and decided I was tired of ERJs and ORD. MSP and DTW are much better for my sanity, although now that winter is here....
Find an airline that best meets your travel patterns and cost, etc., and focus on that program.
--Rich