Time to change?
 

I didn't really know where to post this so I apologize if it's not in the right spot. Anyways, I have always flown UAL my entire life, and I am at least premier if not premier exec every year. However, I probably won't make it this year due to a new job and I wanted to know your opinion. I will lose all my benefits such as Comp. economy plus and 2 free bags. So it won't matter if I do UAL or not next year. Do you think I should switch to a new program such as DAL, AAL, ASA, Virgin, etc. I fly out of DCA and IAD. What should I do? Thanks in advance:D

where will the new job take you?

Texas, working for Texas A&M but it's also connected to the goverment. It's hard to explain over the web

The reason I mentioned the govt. was when I used to work for it (before I joined UAL) they didn't allow you to be a part of a frequent flyer program, you took the cheapest fair. I doubt that will happen now but just wanted to throw that out because if that does happen the program for me would be just for leisure.

Congratulations on that job. Really great institution.

I don't think the government can prevent you from being in a FF program? I can understand them not letting you stick to one airline, and always taking the cheapest fare. But you can always add your FF number to the reservation when you check in. Might not get status anywhere, but at least you are banking miles.

AS could be a good choice if you can't pick your airline seeing as you can earn EQMs on both DL and AA. Plus, MVP status means something (although not much) on DL and Boardroom membership includes many SCs and ACs.

However, because of UA at IAD, US at DCA and CO at IAH *A probably has the IAD/DCA-IAH/CLL route best covered. I think I'd make an AS account just in case but I wouldn't be surprised if you ended up doing most of your flying on UA/CO.

*A does seem the best option- but as previously mentioned do sign up for an AS account as you can then "pool" your AA and DL miles together.

Also, AS and ASA are very different ;)

Yeah I have lots of family in PDX and SEA so I thought that would be good and I can also use DAL and AAL too. But I have used UA my whole life so...

I did a lot flying for the military on various airlines over the past 10 years. I accumulated plenty of miles and even manage to get status a few years. Yeah I didn't have a choice as what airlines I flew but once I had an itinerary on hand I would call the airline and add my FF number. I particularly liked getting booked on UA because SATO (booking agency for military commercial travelers), would sometimes book me an economy Y fare which would earn 150% EQM's and on several occasions I would be upgrade to business/1st class if economy was overbooked.

I would try to status match on AA.

If going for the pooling strategy with AS, wouldn't it be best to match over to there? AS gets some elite recognition from DL (as neither an AS elite nor a DL flier, I can't tell you much about how great it is, though).