Originally Posted by hotelexec
I live in Chicago and have gone back and forth between AA and UA over the years. Right now I am flying mostly AA. At elite levels, domestic upgrades are half the price, and are more likely to include meals. On international, AA lets you upgrade off even the cheapest fares, and the OneWorld round-the-world fares are much less restrictive than Star Alliance's.
UA is also using Ted and RJ's on a lot of flights from Chicago, even to cities like Dallas and Atlanta. The seating on these planes is not nearly as good as UA Economy Plus or AA's roomier seating. Ted is a cattle car with no first class - it was probably what drove me to AA most recently.
UA international awards are a bit cheaper so if you're focused on that rather than immediate comfort, that would be a consideration.
as an AA explat for the last 3 years and a recent 1K for United, I would give a slight advantage to AA for treatment of their highest level flyers-unlimited upgrades on domestic routes, the ability to use the SWU on virtually any overseas fare, and just a general sense of respect in being the highest fare
with the end of MRTC and the older fleet, at the lower flying levels, i think the alternative might be in the direction of United
on the use of miles for award purposes, the *alliance and its opportunities seem greater than OneWorld