Ok so I have tried researching all of my options but am quite confused and need some help. I am currently an Aeroplan member and qualified for Elite35 for next year. I am however annoyed at Aeroplan for changing the program and am very dissapointed in what is now offered. Not to mention it is a little enticing that US carrier programs offer unlimited upgrades while with Aeroplan I get to upgrade maybe 5 times max with my 30 credits.

My travel will be changing drastically next year and I would just like some frequent flyer opinions on which program I should join. I currenlty have approx 135k points with Aeroplan but will start collecting with a new program in the New Year. Here are my new travel details for 2013.

Main Departure Hub: YYZ
Destinations: Mainly Canada, USA, Mexico with possibly 1 oversees or SA trip. 70% will be between YYZ to varied US destinations. 20% between US to US destinations. 10% Mexico
Flight segments per month: Min of 5 segments per month not counting any possible connecting flights where I would pick up more segments.
Current main points card: AMEX Coprorate with membership rewards (have usually transferred to Aeroplan)

I am thinking United Mileage Plus would be best because of possible accumulation and ease of using other star alliance partners to collect SQM and miles but would love any other thoughts. thanks so much!

I think people would be able to help you a little more if you could go into a little more detail about what you're trying to get out of your FF program. Specifically, what kind of relative importance do you place on benefits of elite status (upgrades, mainly), as compared with the ability to use your accumulated miles.

My guess, based on what you've said, is that United probably is best for you -- their miles are certainly the most valuable among NA carriers -- but anecdotal evidence suggests that upgrades are becoming hard to come by, even for 1Ks. One other thing to consider is that Amex MR points do not transfer to United. That could be fine, maybe even a benefit, as you'll quickly have a lot of UA miles and the MR points would provide a form of diversification.

Ok so a little snag- and please excuse my ignorance on this. I was just browsing the united site for fares and noticed that when booking an Air Canada flight through united, you get miles but they do not count toward PQMs. With Aeroplan, no matter what Star Alliance partner you fly, the miles you earn count toward status miles in the AC program.

This could be a problem as I have qualified for Elite for next year and would definitely want to take some AC flights so I can use my eUpgrades but I would not want to if I cannot give them a new United number and collect PQMs.

Is this really the case or am I missing something? I would be hard pressed to not want to earn PQMs on my AC flights as they would be longer routes as I would want to maximize my eUpgrade credits.

Is this the same with US airways?

In any case where you are flying one airline and crediting to another, you need to be aware of the booking class on the airline you're flying and make sure that it is eligible for mileage accrual with the airline you're crediting. In this particular case, see here:

United mileage accrual chart for Air Canada

As you can see, discount fare classes N, G, P, E, and A are listed in the chart, but with an asterisk: "Flights within Canada and between Canada and the continental U.S. (including Hawaii) for the listed purchased fare classes are not eligible for mileage accrual." I suspect this is the problem you are running into.

Thanks very much for providing this. I will have to look closer at the fare codes when booking- although it is odd because usually anything in Tango Plus falls within the "economy" fair codes and Tango within the "discount economy". When I bring up the flights on United.com they show as "o PQM's" but when I look up the same itinerary on Air Canada.com they show as "Tango Plus" and their is no Tango option available.

Just very frustrating as I do quite like flying Air Canada, especially the quality of the planes and service but for the miles I will be flying next year I will for sure hit 1k in United which will give a good chance of upgrades hopefully at least 50% of the time. Even with SuperElite on Air Canada the 70 eUpgrade credits will be gone in a flash- if you fly 6 or more 1500+ mile segments in a month there they are all gone right away. Its too bad Aeroplan wont adopt an upgrade policy like the American carriers, then their would be no question I would stick with them- esp since when I switch for next year I will be missing out on bonus mileage accrual.

To answer your earlier question, upgrades are most important for me. As my company only allows business class on flights over 5+ hrs it is rare that I get to snack a biz/first class seat that way. Also obviously bonus accrual is also great. Everything else except for the priority baggage is pretty much a wash for me as I carry a Plat Amex Corp card and Nexus so priority check in, security and lounge access isnt really a bonus.

Just did a quick check as if I was booking the tickets.
Same itinerary on AirCanada books under booking class "W" but on united.com still shows "0 PQMs". Very odd....

That does sound odd, but the obvious solution is just to book the itinerary on the AC website. If you are trying to use your AC status to upgrade and then credit to UA, you will probably have to enter your AC FF# and then try to get the gate agent to change it to UA after you check in -- which they may or may not be willing to do.

If your main interest is upgrades, I would look at AA. I have no direct experience as I'm not elite on UA, but what I've heard leads me to believe that AA EXPs have better upgrade chances than UA 1Ks. But that's only relevant if AA's route network will serve your needs. My guess is you'd be connecting a lot more than you were on AC.