I did a search but nothing came up.

Say I only did 50-70k miles in a year. Who has the best mid-tier elite programme? This is for someone based in the USA making mainly European and Asian trips.

Upgrades, op-ups, and decent Y service would be things high on my list of likes.

I am going with UA simply because of Eco+.

Agree? Disagree?

If it was all domestic I'd say DL or CO for free upgrades (funny how DL is number 1 for mid tier and last for top tier).

For international (mostly) AA and CO have a co-pay system for lower / lowest fares to BC or just starting and not having miles for upgrades UA E+ is a great benefit. (Top tier it is AA or UA for real SWU's).

During Spring or Fall Double EQM season, fly extra, un-needed domestic transcon, cheap flights to earn the other 30,000+ miles (at around 2 cents per mile). This would get you to 100,000 miles on AA, and then you would earn 8 one-way system-wide upgrades, and you likely could use them. Until you get to 100,000 miles, you would either have to hope for exit rows or pay the obscene co-pay to upgrade (plus the miles). Or fly in coach.

I've never been able to use my Delta system-wide upgrades internationally. I don't know enough about CO internationally - only domestically.

Or just stay in Economy plus.

UA starts this in January.

since traveling mainly international CO and most airlines are not good option for upgrades. I would stick with UA or AA if you think E+ is better than CO Economy (I do).

The other option is to pay the obscene copays, but I wouldn't do it.

i'd recommend UA. if you don't make it to top tier, even with deqm, you have E+ which makes travel tolerable, at least to me. if you do happen to make it to top tier, you don't wanna be stuck on DL, cuz well, their top tier sucks from what i've read here. also, since UA doesn't give unlimited free upgrades to top tier, you as a mid tier have a better chance of your upgrades clearning, cuz slightly less competition w/the top tier. and if you don't clear...you have e+

Y+ seems to be a big draw for UA, but I have had great success booking exit rows on AA TATLs 21-30 days out. (100% IIRC)

And since you asked about op-ups, since last December, as a PLT, I have recieved 4 Y-J Op-Ups on 6 RT TATLs. (3 eastbound, 1 west bound) Of course is the least predictable bennie of elite status.

Also with 50K on United, you earn Star Alliance Gold status, which allows you access to business-class check-in, lounges, and greater luggage allowance when flying internationally, which can be nice benefits.

You need more (75,000 qualifying miles) to earn the equivalent (SkyTeam Elite Plus) on Delta. I am not sure about American.

It really depends on your objective. If it is in-flight comfort then UA's E+ (and exit row access) is probably your best choice. None of the US-based carriers offer a very good soft product, i.e. service, food, IFE, in the economy section. Op-ups are a crapshoot everywhere.

However, if you actually care about using miles for international business class tix or upgrades I would NOT recommend UA which blocks flights and is generally stingy with advance inventory (see *A blocking thread in UA forum).

Instead, you might consider BD which provides all of the same *G benefits listed above (plus access to UA RCCs in the USA) and offers much better TATL redemption.

As you are based in BOS you might find AA to be a better choice. As AA Gold I have found it easy to book exit rows on AA so you would have no probs as Plat, and would get roughly the same benefits as UA mid-tier including lounge access. Plus, AA does not block partner award inventory as UA does.

1. Concentrate

Stick with UA/AA and shoot for 100k EQMs with current promos
or

2. Mid level on 2 or 3

I would broaden the net
UA
25k miles gets you e+; with DEQM, you only need to fly 13k. - 1 trip to Asia.
AA I see you are plat already, as you know
25k miles gets you gold; with DEQM, you only need to fly 13k. - 1 trip to Asia.
If you are creative, do a plat challenge, if on a reasonable fare, you get to Plat right away with 10k miles (note - ultra cheap fares get you only half credit on points- can get to gold). This will allow upgrades internally for low fees at 24-48 hours (gold / Plat) window.

If you have travel left, 2 options
*A lounge access in the US
go UA e+ but credit to BD / AC, so you have free lounge access at RCC / US clubs I think you only need 35k travel.
Free upgrades
If you have more than 50k travel left and you plan domestic leisure travel go US or DL. You may get free upgrades on your personal flights.

This is the best time to get status on any airline.

Where are you located? Alaska could be a good program for you. The gold tier starts at 40k with lots of upgrades and you can earn miles on a slew of carriers.

+1

If you fly up to 70K miles/year, you're within mileage run (or creative routing) distance of 75K. You might look into programs that offer something for that, since it may be better than mid-tier in 25/50/100K programs. One such is Delta, whose 75K Platinum Medallion used to be top-tier until they introduced a Diamond level for 125K a few weeks ago.

I think AS rocks too, but read the OP's post:

AS status is going to get you very, very little love on TATL/TPAC travel- basically, you'll get better Y seating choices on DL/NW, and chortles of laughter as they send you to seat 54H next to the loo on AA. You really want to be with a carrier with international travel + alliance elite status if you're going to be flying overseas like the OP.

I agree and wrote this in my first reply. The issue with DL for OP is their international policy even at 125K are worst of AA / UA, etc. The OP does not seem to fly much domesticly so the only benefit for DL just disappeared.

UA for E+ makes great sense for OP and if interested in reasonable upgrades AA, CO, and UA great choices.

DL does offer Pretty Much Useless upgrades at 75K but over at that board most people, not all, use the Pretty Much Useless phrase for a reason.

Plus with DL you need to get over 75K for lounge access overseas with AA and UA you only need 50K.