AA should not get too cocky. AAdvantage members should be aware that AA tried to sock it to passengers with the absurd $100 standby fee. Northwest was the reasonable airline, though UA did mend its evil ways.

Unfortunately, the airlines are in the race for worst ff change so they will experience defectors. These defectors will go to other bad ff programs. I don't think they will race to AA.

Conclusion: NW is still good. AA hasn't changed, though they have an evil side to them. CO is getting hard to redeem, though one can always redeem on NW. I also almost had a heart attack because CO does have a seat that I want in January. US has lower mileage requirements for domestic and European awards (coach).