I got merged into AA from the old US Airways program (was US Chairman's Preferred, became AA EXP). Ditched them after about a year and a half of suffering, and

I got merged into AA from the old US Airways program (was US Chairman's Preferred, became AA EXP). Ditched them after about a year and a half of suffering, and did a three-month match to Delta Platinum. Most of the flying was due to working remote for a company in the bay area; now I work for a different company and actually live out here, and don't have to play the frequent-flyer game anymore. For less than what I used to spend on economy tickets with upgrade hopes, I just buy business/first class on the occasions when I want it. Anecdotally I have noticed slightly better treatment from that, and I know the gate agents and flight crew have status listed on the manifest and so can guess who's up front because they bought the ticket and who's up there because of an upgrade. Which I guess says something about the priorities of the airline and the usual behavior of the status-holder.