I am currently a 1K on United, and also challenged to Plat on AA earlier this year just to try it out. I have grown increasingly disenchanted with UA: dirty planes, craploads of elites competing for E+ because of 2P and 3P comps for 1Ks and E+ Pass, shabby RCCs, disgusting RCC bathrooms, surly CS at the airport, and so-so 1K agents. On AA, I've had good CS, decent upgrades and a decent F product. I have not had time to really try out ACs, but if I switch its a given I would become a member. I am buying more last minute, so E+ has become less of a perk. I also have Silver status on BD from crediting a few QUPs.

I have two thoughts for next year:
1) I can stay with UA because of the familiarity. I have to commute SAN, BUR or LAX to SFO or SJC almost every week to visit my girlfriend, and UA's frequency beats the pants off of AA/AS. However, no one offers a 730pm flight-its either 7pm or after 8, so frequency isn't helping me here. I would park any miles above 100K into BD, plus any shorthaul paid F runs like SAN-SFO and OAK-PDX.
2) Earn EXP on AA, where CS is better and I'm happy so far as Plat. Purchase enough QUPs on UA and US to maintain BD *G, or throw in some intra-EU C flying. OW seems weaker than *A, and having BD to park *A miles into seems like a big plus, especially for non-ex-LHR intra-EU flying, which is one of the main weaknesses of OW.
3) If my flying drops off dramatically, or I start only flying C and F internationally, earn and then maintain BD *G. Purchase an E+ pass on UA (thus becoming one of those people that I am currently competing with for E+), but the money saved from RCC essentially buys the E+ Pass. I would fly more on VX also. BD Gold can be renewed for as little as one weekend a year with a little planning ahead.


I'm extremely torn, as UA is familiar, but AA seems like a better airline and program at the moment. Both seem viable. To the non-FTer, this has got to be one of the more ridiculous reasons to lose sleep, but I've spent several sleepless nights the last few weeks considering this. I think in the next few weeks something will emerge as the better of the two.