With Southwest once you get a certain number of points, you get a companion pass for the next calendar year. So someone else can fly with you on any ticket for free--and you can change who the companion is a few times a year.

They are also changing from open seating to reserved seating and may be making other later changes that would mean better perks so I wouldn't rule them out. And the two free bags are great for traveling with family, ski trips, or college kid travel.

The WSJ regularly does stories about airline loyalty programs. Most US Airlines have increased the amount of flights& dollars spent to get status. So, instead of chasing status alone...do as others have written here and analyze where you need to go and who flies nonstop. Never take a connecting flight for business if you can avoid it. My husband and I fly ALOT. We have most airline credit cards between us. Never check a bag for business if you can avoid it. Time is money. The more you fly, the more you'll find which airline you can tolerate the most. These days, all US Airlines are pretty bad. Some are a little less bad than others. Don't expect much so that you're not disappointed.

As others have noted, you need to consider which airport is more convenient to you (AA at Reagan National or United Dulles), and where you need to fly (which airline offers more nonstops to your destination). Because of the perimeter rule at DCA, if you’re flying out west a lot, or flying internationally, United from Dulles may be the better bet even if the airport is less convenient for you. (There are a few long-haul flights out of DCA, but not enough to be able to fly consistently and flexibly).

All that said, if these things aren’t predictable or important to you, and you’re choosing between United and American, go for United. Their product in the air is superior, their support via their App or otherwise is better, they are generally more cost-effective (for example, rolling out free WiFi via Starlink and currently offering cheaper WiFi than AA), and their frequent flyer program is generally better (more valuable points, more flexibility regarding the use of points, more international destinations, and better tie-ins to credit cards through Chase, etc., especially if you use the Sapphire card).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Southwest allows 2 checked bags and 1 carry on for free

United zero everything is extra

Business travelers generally don't check bags. This is not a deciding factor at all.

They do have carry on, and that is $50 for United.

Nobody flying for work is going to book basic economy. Regular economy allows free carryon.

This. No one traveling for work is flying Basic anything. It’s usually a full fare fully refundable ticket if not Business/First. Unless you’re perhaps a government employee. No clue how cheap they have to fly

Gov fares are their own special category and are in fact fully refundable and very reasonably priced.

I’ll add this to the list of things I never need to know

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Southwest allows 2 checked bags and 1 carry on for free

United zero everything is extra

Business travelers generally don't check bags. This is not a deciding factor at all.

They do have carry on, and that is $50 for United.

Nobody flying for work is going to book basic economy. Regular economy allows free carryon.

This. No one traveling for work is flying Basic anything. It’s usually a full fare fully refundable ticket if not Business/First. Unless you’re perhaps a government employee. No clue how cheap they have to fly

Gov fares are their own special category and are in fact fully refundable and very reasonably priced.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Southwest allows 2 checked bags and 1 carry on for free

United zero everything is extra

Business travelers generally don't check bags. This is not a deciding factor at all.

They do have carry on, and that is $50 for United.

Nobody flying for work is going to book basic economy. Regular economy allows free carryon.

This. No one traveling for work is flying Basic anything. It’s usually a full fare fully refundable ticket if not Business/First. Unless you’re perhaps a government employee. No clue how cheap they have to fly

Anonymous wrote:Southwest allows 2 checked bags and 1 carry on for free

United zero everything is extra

Untrue for United's discounted standard economy fares. Just don't buy the "basic" economy fares.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Southwest allows 2 checked bags and 1 carry on for free

United zero everything is extra

Business travelers generally don't check bags. This is not a deciding factor at all.

They do have carry on, and that is $50 for United.

United has never charged me to take both a rollaboard and a briefcase on any flight. I do not ever buy "basic" economy fares. I only buy (discounted) standard Economy fares. I never ever check bags.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Southwest allows 2 checked bags and 1 carry on for free

United zero everything is extra

Business travelers generally don't check bags. This is not a deciding factor at all.

They do have carry on, and that is $50 for United.

Nobody flying for work is going to book basic economy. Regular economy allows free carryon.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Southwest allows 2 checked bags and 1 carry on for free

United zero everything is extra

Business travelers generally don't check bags. This is not a deciding factor at all.

They do have carry on, and that is $50 for United.

Or just not allowed for United Basic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Southwest allows 2 checked bags and 1 carry on for free

United zero everything is extra

Business travelers generally don't check bags. This is not a deciding factor at all.

They do have carry on, and that is $50 for United.

Even with 10 roundtrips last year, she was nowhere near getting the lowest level of status with American (Gold)

This. It takes so much before you're given significant travel awards. Too many miles before it matters. Imo, better off taking the long view and making smartest decisions for each individual trip - that adds up too.