Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PLAT,PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Gld,Hyatt Disc,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 11,031
I agree that a central consideration is which airlines fly to where you'll be flying on business, but here are a few others:
1. What will you use your points for? If it is vacation, where are you likely to want to go? I fly UA, but believe that AA has more destinations in the Caribbean. On the other hand, UA and its Star Alliance are better for trips across the Pacific.
2. How important is extra legroom in economy to you? Once you reach premier status (25,000 miles/year) on United, it entitles you to economy plus, which is four or five extra inches of legroom. I believe that AA is removing from many of its planes the economy seats that offer extra legroom.
3. UA generally has better and newer planes, but AA is in better financial health.