I am a current CO Gold flyer, being a transplant to SFO from AUS. I enjoyed CO under Bethune's watch, but under Kellner, Elite benefits have precipitously declined IMO. Flying out of SJC or OAK are my only options to be upgraded or to not endure six hours of straddling the lap of the 6'6" 350lb man shoe-horned into the middle seat (don't even get me started on why the middle seats are filled in the front where elites are but EMPTY in the rear...).

I'm open to switching to another airline that will match my Gold status. My flying habits hover between 30k and 55k a year with about 70% leisure trips to visit family, and with most flights cross country to NY. JFK is my preferred airport becuase of the rail service. MX is also a travel destination, as well as TX. And note taht we are both members of the President's Club.

I was considering AS, but I could not get elite status by flying CO flights. I was also considering UA, on which my partner is Gold, but would that be putting all of our eggs in a basket?

What are your recommendations? I value your suggestions.

Danny