I'm 40 minutes from IAH and 1 hr 10 minutes from Hobby. I'm platinum w United. Fly about 90 segments a year or 75000 miles. Friends have said it is so worth the switch especially if you get the SW credit card and qualify for companion pass. United takes about 8-10 trips to get enough points for one free trip. How does that equate to SW. Also if you volunteer on sold out flight United usually comps $200-300 while I'm told SW can be $750-$850. Anyone else make the switch?

sw companion pass is pretty awesome,, if you got it today, it would be valid until the end of 2016, and for every sw flight you're on

Also, easier to use SW miles at a better rate. However, no upgrades to first if you are into that.

Where do you typically fly? Travel time and # of stops could be a factor too.

I think you should also check out www.flyertalk.com, both UA and WN have forums over there and you could talk to someone who does something similar. Overall, it depends on your flying habits and what you value redeeming rewards for.

Edits:

United Forum
Southwest Forum

Even though UA has gotten worse since they ruined CoAir, they are still my choice.

Advantages I see are:

-- airport lounge
-- more non-stops domestically
-- many international destinations
-- comp upgrades to first class for elite members
-- reserved seats (and economy plus)
-- IAH > Hobby

I admit, I am biased, as I have been elite (1K) for years.

If you fly business on SW to accumulate points and wanna get away fares to redeem points, you just about get a free trip every time you fly. In other words, when I fly business class to Houston and back, Its about 7000 points. a free wanna get away fare to Houston and back can be as low as 7000 points.

All about what's important.

Before married with kids, I was all SWA. Got companion pass twice, and used it a bunch.

Switched to continental & can't imagine going back. Getting the extra leg room or first class upgrade more important now. And with young kids, I'd never get to advantage of the companion pass like I used to.