Since you travel a lot, you will easily reach elite status. From there, you get FREE upgrades if available, and if there is nothing available on day of travel, they will waitlist you for standby.

FC food EWR-LAX is MUCH better than AA - I have flown them both.

Although my info is correct, my opinion is biased, because I am an EWR flyer who HATES connections, even if they'll give me money off the fare. So, of course, I favor Continental over anyone else.