The great thing about a thread like this is the educational and opinionated insight you get from two spectrums. I am a NW Gold, but am trying to get CO gold right now. I wish I could fly UA more, but my routes aren't westbound from the heartland and flying to ORD isn't my favorite cup of tea (DEN & ORD are the only routes served out of TUL). But I do agree that their int'l alliance is stronger than Sky Team's.