I will be relocating to the US and both airlines have the routes I will need. I have flown both airlines in the past but niether airline recently. I have no miles with eiether as I used up all my UA and AA ff miles, overall which is the better airline to be loyal to? I find AA to be more expensive than UA but there's got to be a reason why UA is cheaper? Is Aa better overall? Thanks.

They both suck.

So it depends on where you will be living and which airline you will be most likely to travel on. (what city are you relocating to?) Also, which airline has routings that take you to places you are more likely to want to go on vacation?

All else equal, I think AA has a better website for FF award usage (IMO).

If you rack up some of your miles on business travel you might find out if your employer has a "preferred" provider discount with one or the other that would make you focus on AA or UA. (That's how I got started as a AA frequent flyer, now 2MM miles.)

You might also consider if you are already a FF on one of their partner airlines. Like BA for AA. You can continue to earn BA miles and status on AA flights in the US.

You might also consider if you are already a FF on one of their partner airlines. Like BA for AA. You can continue to earn BA miles and status on AA flights in the US.

Continental and United just merged so you can get miles with three domestic airlines (U.S. Air) and some of their foreign airlines are excellent like Singapore, Asiana, and Swiss (Europe). If you get over 25,000 miles you will get United Economy Plus which is a (you guessed it) a Plus!

Like wally said, UA and CO had merged in the corporate level, and by 2012 will be merged operationally. Together, it is the largest airline in the world, and will have the most cover of destinations in the US as well.

The Star Alliance they belong to is also the largest in the world, so more chances to use and earn miles internationally.

Domestic fares have nothing to do with quality of airline. It's about demand and supply; and competition.

If legroom's an issue, united might be a better fit because it has e-plus. Otherwise, there's no big difference. If you're moving to a hub for one of them, then I'd probably go with that one.