Switching FF Programs
 

I'm a Premier Exec w/UA from Washington DC (IAD). My flights take me all over the US (CA mostly) & International (Europe, Australia, Asia, etc.). I fly UA because of the Star Alliance program. However, as mentioned time and time again, customer service is awful, planes are old, no one knows whats going on (go to IAD at 06:00 in the premier line at check-in, you'll usually find more personnel working economy then premier), etc.
So, my question is this: is there an alternative frequent flyer program that has the same (or better) level of partner programs with other airlines, or am I stuck? Also, would this airline allow me to take my miles & status over?

Another thing, are there any other airlines that provide a lounge that doesn't require a yearly fee (if you have a Premiere Exec type status)? Or if there is a lounge that requires payment, I don't mind...as long as it comes with some ammenities. I'd be happy with a paid lounge where I can have free internet, or free snacks that amount to more than orange juice, sunchips and an apple. Seriously, i understand the concept of a lounge to 'relax in', but if an organization has the 'balls' to charge $500 a year for redcarpet, shouldn't you at least be able to eat & drink $100 worth of consumables? The last time I checked, sunchips were about $.50. The only times I enjoy relaxing at UA lounge, is when I know i'll be staying at another airlines lounge (Air New Zealand, Singapore, etc.).
Dang.

Welcome to FT! ^

Given your travel patterns and being based out of IAD, I'm afraid United will still be the best choice even with all its shortcomings. Any other airline/alliance will require lots of extra connections and hassle.

Some airlines will match your status. No airline will match your miles.

Most other carriers have much better lounges. I'm pretty sure you can join them directly, or you can get Priority Pass which gives you access to over 500 lounges. The problem is, if you continue flying United, most of these lounges will be very inconvenient (located in different terminals, etc).

Do you fly mostly Y (economy) or C (business)? If the latter, you should avoid United like the plague on international itineraries and fly *A partners instead. You should also credit your miles to some other *A program. But if you fly mostly Y, Mileage Plus is probably your best bet.

Air Canada Aeroplan does give complimentary access to their Maple Leaf Lounges at their Elite level (35K EQM). This level also qualifies as star gold which would give access to the RCC in the US (I believe - can someone confirm this). You could credit some of your travel to Aeroplan in order to gain free lounge access.

It is true that Air Canada has a lower qualification threshold for *A Gold, and that with AC *G you have free access to RCC even when traveling domestically in the US. But neither of this would help the OP: he is 1P already, and he is looking for a better alternative to RCC. He can already access the (excellent) Maple Leaf Lounges if he happens to be traveling in Canada.

Out of IAD, you really have little choice. You can possibly move your business to DL, CO, AA but these options will force you at least one extra connection, which can be aweful during irregular operations. I think there are no airline programs that provide you free lounge access to their mid-tier level elites (I can't think of any that does even to their top tier elites.) DL used to give complimentary Crown Club membership to their top tier Plat Medallion, but they cancelled that last year, I think.

As for other airline lounges, I heard that AA, CO, and DL lounges are somewhat better than RCCs, but not too far ahead of the game. If I were you I would just stay with UA, despite the fact that you are not so happy with them. If you must switch, choose one of AA, CO, DL based on your flight pattern and hub connection. AA (DFW, ORD), CO (EWR, Houston), DL (ATL).

Good luck.

The AA FF program is similar to MP, in the sense that you get systemwide upgrades (eight of them, called eVIP's), and you also get unlimited domestic upgrades within region one. Unfortunately, their best partners, especially BA, don't allow you to redeem miles on them from the US to Europe. I would say that UA really is your best option, even if it's not great.:(

Most importantly, welcome to Flyertalk, sergio10!:)^

I would be seriously surprised if the BA restrictions don't change next year with Open Skies. This, and the pending IB situation are the only that's making me hesitate.

Why do you think that would change it?:)

i'm moving from Atlanta to Chicago later this month and plan on requesting that UA match my Delta Silver Medallion status. it seems to be a straightforward process, but does the fact they will not match miles mean that i will have to earn an additional 50k EQM's in order to reach 1P?