Originally Posted by seoulmanjr
If you're considering accruing on AA, then be aware of the wicked "copay" involved with redeeming your hard earned miles for upgrade internationally.
HOWEVER, AA still lets you upgrade from deep discount econ fares with miles. The copay is not always more than the difference in fare you would have to pay to get upgradable international on other carriers. Regardless...the OP is not concerned about international.
For domestic:
- AA and UA upgades work about the same for mid-tier - except AA only costs $25 per 500 miles and UA cost more, $40?
- UA has E+; AA doesn't
- UA and AA have similar premium products on most domestic routes
- You would probably have less upgrade competition to the ORD on AA
- Of the three preferred carriers, only DL has free upgrades for mid-tier
- If you make 1K, you would have top upgrade priority, earn free region 1 domestic advance confirmed upgrades, and enough SWU to trade with other FTers if wanted to to upgrade all of your longer UA trips ahead of time