Chosing an airline, based out of Phoenix
 

Right now I'm with NWA and am just a SE. I've now been living in the Phoenix area for nearly 2 years now and I'm starting to find that flying NWA out of here is more hassle than it's worth (no direct trips at all to California or Texas (unless routed through MSP, DTW, MEM, etc...)

Flying out of Phoenix, my primary trips are to the Bay Area (SFO, SJC, OAK), Texas (IAH, SAT, DFW), and Rochester, New York (ROC). I also take several trips to the Southeast each year, be it Atlanta, New Orleans, Orlando, etc...

My only concern is I'm batting a pretty good percentage on getting upgraded, even though only a Silver, on NW and CO flights. Right now, primarily due to shopping around and checking seats, I'm at almost getting 80% upgrades...

Would I be better off on another airline, or is NWA still the way to go?

For PHX as the base, it would seem like WN or US/HP would be the best choice. I do know a few people that use AA out of PHX, but that's a lot of connections.

Depends on how much you like those upgrades. If you change to US/HP, you'll have a lot more competition. WN, of course, doesn't have F period. Both would give you more non-stop flights, at least to the Bay area, TX. Flying NW you're putting up with less desirable connections, but better chances of getting your upgrades. What are you willing to trade off?

There are no decent airlines that use PHX as a hub, IMO.

An elite flyer is not going to opt for WN I would hope.

Personally I would not choose WN even if the only other airline in the world made me connect through YQX :D

my 2c would be: connections are bad, unless you're mile/status running. go with the airline that gives you an abundance of options.

http://www.americawest.com/awa/conte.../routemap.aspx

perhaps go for a status comp and see how it goes? when i was silver out of a US hub, i just paid more attention to loads/aircraft to increase my upgrade chances, and i fared well.

If you fly enough to make elite on HP, or US nowadays, America West can be a very decent airline for upgrades and generally cheerful service.