Originally Posted by
ContinentalFan
If it's convenient for you, I'd suggest looking into switching to one of the SkyTeam members--particularly Continental. With 50k a year, you'd earn Gold on Continental, which, IMO, trumps Platinum on AA.
Cotinental Gold is better, unless you want to use your elite status to actually get upgraded and fly in first class - but Continental does offer elites a spiffy blue carpet to board upon in lieu of upgrades.