..... but are not necessarily any more expensive than anybody else's. Sure, you can fly Southwest or cherry-pick who has the cheapest-deal-of-the-week today but then if you're doing that, who cares about FF programs?

I would go with AA (but then I'm biased). Probably the best earn-and-burn rates (though you indicate mileage accumulation is not a major objective). Unfortunately, no amount of AA status will get you lounge access if you're on a domestic U.S. itinerary.

If you're 1K (or about to be) on UA, why not stick with them? I would have thought UA/* could get you most places in the U.S and Asia? I've never really understood the point of achieving top-tier status on one airline and then starting to fly someone else (unless you really fly a lot of miles and can obtain and maintain top-tier on both). Why not stick with what you've got and use that status to your advantage?

If you do go with AA, sign up for the Platinum Challenge (for faster elite qualification) - see the AA forum for details.