Based on other discussions I have had, it sounds like getting *G through a program other than United while still flying United is the way to go for me since I won't meet the Premier Gold requirements on United, but I will in other programs. I have a few questions regarding this though.

I live in the US and have the CSP CC, so I can generate RDMs on United easily. If I am using another program for my flights, I will have my RDMs split between United and another program. Is there a way to combine those miles or am I stuck having some miles in United and some miles in another program? I would very much like to have all of my RDMs in one program, so I can take advantage of them more easily. If I can't combine the RDMs, getting *G with another program may not be worth it for me, and I'll probably just live with Premier Silver on United.

Also, are there any other limitations or things to watch out for when using a different program within the *A while flying United that I need to take into consideration?

You cant combine Aegean miles with your UA miles. Plus you will be *G but that wont get you anything UA gives to its Golds eg you arent entitled to E+ w/o paying for it. If you want to change any tkts as a *G you have no benefits and will have to pay up. No CPUs (free upgardes) You will be a *G not a UA G.

If as a UAG if you didnt mind how US treated you (got nothing except free bags and I think Group 2 boarding) then you will be in the same boat with UA with *G from anotehr carrier.If you want or need the beenies UA gives to its own Elites then AE wont help you out

However, as a *Gold from a nonNorthAmerican program, the OP would be allowed to use the UA, AC, and (for now) US lounges even for domestic UA or *A flights.

So in some sense, the tradeoff when flying UA is free Y+ (or premium seats) and for domestic flights, some chance of an upgrade as a UA Gold VERSUS free lounge access even on domestic *A itineraries as a *Gold. On all UA trips, UA Gold would get better phone agent service while *Gold would use the standard UA phone line for IROP rebookings, etc.

In either case, UA Gold or *Gold, OP gets priority check in, security, and boarding (slightly lower for *A *Gold?) and a free checked bag.

I don't value E+ at all, so I don't factor that into the decision. I almost exclusively do international travel, so lounges and elite access on the *A is a big thing for me.

Based on the responses so far though, it looks like I would be giving up a lot more to become *G than what I would be keeping if I stayed UAS.

IIRC fares below V class only earn 50% on Aegean, a better expert might be able to weigh in to confirm. This is what is keeping me from pushing all PQM >100k over to Aegean since I fly mostly S and below.

If you do mostly Intl then hitting the min Spend of $5k should be doable, or $25k on a Chase UA CC wipes out the min Spend requirement. If are UA G that = *G as well = entrance to the Clubs when you are flying on an Intl tkt even in Y. The only sort of advantage an AE *G will give you is entrance to the lounges even when youre on a domestic tkt, but if your home airport doesnt have a Club and you usaully have tight connections you wont get much use out it then any how.

theres no right or wrong choice instead each person has to know what they need and see if UAG or *G gives it to them

you also need to consider mileage EARNING, and redemption.

im using MP on foreign carriers as my new primary carrier and most of my fares dont earn anything

+1

I don't necessarily meet the mileage requirements either. It depends on the year. All of my travel is for pleasure, no business, so I am limited to the amount of vacation days I am given and my own money. On average, I think I'll be getting 40k miles and around $3200 across 3 trips a year, so I would have to spend a lot more to get UAG. For me it is UAS or *G with another carrier.