I am platinum on both. I care alot about getting upgraded, you have to pay for your upgrades on AA and they are free on CO, so I have to pick CO on that alone. CO releases international Biz and FC flights for awards 2 weeks before departure so I have been able to redeem last might int'l flights for regular mile prices. On the other hand I value CO points less than AAA since I have amex miles that can become CO points, but not AA.

if your weekend travel will have you staying in *wood properties, *points convert into airline miles at a 1:1.25 ratio for AA and 1:0.5 ratio for CO (actually I think still 1:1.25 ratio right now, but changing soon). Also, I think AA's hubs are in better locations (do you really want to connect through CLE?), and (as much as I love NW) I think that OneWorld is less plagued by trouble than SkyTeam, as an alliance.

Of course, none of this really matters since I myself was swayed to join NonePass upon reading the earlier post of real, live hot towels!! What luxury! What tantalizing bliss! So long NW, so long UA, CO here I COme!!

While I like the towels, this week's experience has given me a new perspective on the value of miles banked. I tried getting a CO ticket over the pond for this summer:no go. I tried using AS miles, redeeming them for a CO ticket and the AS TA provided this informative tidbit "I usually check them (CO) only as a last resort, since they never have any inventory". Note that of the AS partners the only possibility was AA. She indicated that CO was the worst of the AS partner carriers with Europe routes (American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Northwest Airlines). So, if it's a particular flight and you're up front I'd opt for CO but if you're in the back or you hope for a future vacation, go with AA.

Hmmm, I must have missed that. I flew MIA-LAS on Friday night (9:40 p.m. departure, past meal time) and we got full service in F. Yes, it was a snack service, but it consisted of warm nuts, a choice of two entrees (pizza or chicken fingers), and chocolate chip cookies. I haven't experienced this cut in service in F on any AA flight recently.

Again, not my experience. I just booked 2 award tickets in F to LHR in June, with the departure on a Friday evening. And I am just PLAT on AA (though I will be EXP once the LAS segments post). That was not my experience as a PLAT on CO. I remember trying to book BF award flights to Europe in October or March (hardly peak season) and having to leave/return on Tuesday or Wednesday. Unless something has changed with OnePass, reduced award availability with AAdvantage would still be more generous.

Granted, Elite Access is a good idea, something I wish more airlines would adopt. However, I am still puzzled as to why you say there is no full service in F on AA.

I'd have to say that if you'll be traveling mostly within the US, CO has a better program. I've been Platinum with them for the last 3 years, and I get upgrades 80% of the time (and I live in CA, fly out of SNA in old 737s). With the amount of traveling that you'll do, I'd send Onepass a letter explaining the situation, and asking for some kind of Status Match.

By the way, Onepass elite 1 800 service is excellent.