Which FF program for a US based FFer?
 

Long time NWA now DL flier but could be making a career move that would involve frequent travel to and from Japan on ANA. As a USA based FF'er, would I be better off banking all my miles to my UA account or join ANAs program? The travel would essentially be a r/t to and from Japan per month in business class getting me quickly to Gold. Thoughts?

Unfortunately all my miles on UA have expired so I'd be building my account from 0 starting next week with a Y class trip to and from NRT. I have also lost my status at the new DL but have a handful of miles left after burning them, so no status match possible here.

I've had a look at those comparison charts someone so wonderfully put together, but honestly they don't make much sense to me!

Thanks!

Depending on how long they have expired and how many miles you lost, you may be able to "renew" them, especially if you start flying paid C on UA metal. If you are forced to start from zero, you might want to take a look at LH's program because I heard it's a great program for people flying paid premium tix. Can't comment on how NH's FFP compares to UA's.

LAX

Mileage credit differences
 

I fly LAX - NRT and back about 18 times a year. I've considered moving to ANA, JAL, SIngapore, etc., but the biggest difference is that the foreign carriers do not give full mileage credit for discounted tickets. This was my main reason for staying with UA since my employer requires discounted economy fares. It looks like your new gig will allow C class purchase so this won't be an issue for you. If you fly 12 RT's to NRT on UA in full fare C, you will get Global Services, (which is solely revenue based). Now that level gives you some good service, (funny that you have to fly this much to get truely good service). In the past, I've been GS and was 1 of only 3 people to get quietly transferred from the RCC NRT club on to a van to get on a JAL flight to TPE when it wasn't publicly announced that the NRT TPE flight on UA was cancelled.

On the other hand, ANA's service is impeccable. I think you do get cert's similar to SWU's and their operational upgrades happen quite often to elite status fliers, (probably more than UA's elites).

Sorry for the rambling, but if my company was paying full fare C, I'd jump over to ANA and build status there.

Good Luck and see you in the ANA lounge at NRT!

I switched from UA to Aeroplan a couple of years ago. Fewer miles needed for premium awards where I wanted to go. Can also transfer Starwood points and Amex MR points 1:1. They also have a Bank of America MC so if you collect miles with a credit card you can still do it. But these days I just charge everything I can to the Starwood Amex card since they give a 5000 miles bonus for transfers of 20000 points to Aeroplan (and other FF programs).

But I guess it depends if you are looking to do upgrades or exactly what you plan to use your miles for.

Unfortunately, the op states "I'd be building my account from 0 starting next week with a Y class trip to and from NRT". So based on this, the C class purchase, unfortunately, is not applicable.

Think the OP would best be served staying with UA.

If the OP flies a full fare Y class, he can get full mileage credit to start. After that, he is flying C, if I recall correctly, which gives full credit and probably bonus miles. The only way anyone from UA should consider moving to a MP that flies the same routes as UA, is if they can fly on full fare tickets.