To switch or not to switch...
 

...that is the question :)

Currently I usually fly NW but have been thinking about switching over to a *A carrier with the DL merger and some good options for our route needs (PEK-west coast). Now, my actual question is this: I am currently a member of UA with no status but just under 50,000 miles. With CO joining *A in October I was wondering whether I should use up those miles and then jump over to them. I usually make silver status (nothing, I know, but still worth a little :D) each year and will occasionally be doing award travel (still PEK-west coast). I make status each year usually flying 2 or 3 roundtrip longhauls as mentioned (PEK-SEA for example) and price is one of the priorities when choosing an airline for us. What are some of the advantages/disadvantages of each program for someone like me and which airline should I stay/go with if I go to *A in the future?

Thanks a lot for your help!

In your case, I recommend you AEROPLAN, the Air Canada's FFP.
You only have to collect 35000 *A status miles to get *Gold status.
You can earn/spend miles not only on Air Canada but on UA, US, SQ
and CO in the future when flying to Asia or within the US.
Plus the elite benefits! :D

ICA, thanks for your help. Just so happens that I have an AC account with a measely 2500 or so miles in it :D. Wow, only 35000 for *Gold? A reason I mentioned UA and CO though was that I am flying Emirates PEK-DXB-LHR and then back this September which will earn me 28,000 miles. I know EK is partners with those 2 airlines in the US but I'm not sure about AC. In that case, should I accrue silver on UA and then switch over to AC next year? Thanks again!

Here is what I would do. I would join the OZ program. 40k miles in TWO years give you *G status with full lounge access, extra bag allowance etc.

Any miles you fly beyond the 40k and any EK miles I would put into UA or CO. Doesn't make a big difference other than UA being *A and CO not being *A yet.

Oh, I see!
Well... in that case I think put the EK miles to CO.
I have checked the UA site, but did not find any infos
about is the EK miles count as EliteQM or not...
CO offers 100-150% status miles for all EK classes...

By the way... If you have a plan to fly 15000 miles on UA,
(I hope still) there is a status trial at UA.
Just register and fly 15000 or more UA metal within a month
and be a PremEx.
For more infos, contact Mileage Plus.
^

Thanks again guys for the tips. From what I hear though OZ isn't very good for redeeming miles and given that I don't travel OZ any benefits wouldn't be of much use in case I don't make it to *G with them.

Good catch on the EQMs with United there, ICA. I read up on the website and it says "Paid, qualifying flight miles earned on most published fares on Star Alliance® member flights ... " I don't really fly frequently, unfortunately, just long distances when I do :). Looks like I'll be finding some way to use my UA miles and probably switch over to AC later. Thanks!