I'm very happy with US - 1k benefits are superb - unlimited upgrades w/ a window that virtually assures 100% - for companions as well, which is terrific when a colleague accompanies me on a biz trip - so much is so good. EXCEPT PRICES OUT OF CLT !!

Like most, I'm holding my breath re the merger - don't see how we won't lose. Yea, we'll get miles in the routes US doesn't serve. But the benefits for those miles will undoubtedly be less than we enjoy now. Since I'm fairly able to work within the available US routes, I'm sticking in till the bitter end.

There is such a difference in US and others that I can't settle on my "second" airline - the trips where I simply cannot take US. All the other FF programs are such a step down, I can't get excited enough about any of them to settle on one. I'll pbly spread enough miles on the non-US carriers to gain at least low level elite if not mid level should I direct those miles to one carrier - but on all other carriers, low or mid level just doesn't mean much. So I'm making those decisions strictly on the basis of fares or schedules.

Enjoying it tremendously while it lasts: US rules!