I assume your travels will have you involved in a Hotel Loyalty Program as well? If so, have you selected a program? I would recommend, as a way to maximize mileage earning from hotel stays, you go with HHonors and double-dip into a BMI FF account. This will get you 1000 miles PER NIGHT on top of HHonors points. Most other airlines only give 500 miles PER STAY, or 1mile/$ and most other hotel programs only give miles OR hotel points. With 50 nights per year, that's 50k miles redeamable within Star Alliance without ever stepping on a plane.

I would use this pot of miles in addition to another alliance that you actually fly on. Delta within SkyTeam would likely serve you well. Their award redemption fees are escalating but I've never had problems getting a saver with at least a month's notice and some date and/or weekend flexibility. Elites get up to 3 checked bags for free, and weight restrictions are extended as well. SFO-JFK is direct, SFO-FLL and SFO-MIA are connections through ATL or SLC... if you're renting a car, they're close enough that you could chose either-or depending on fare prices. SFO-LAX connects through SLC and becomes a long trip (4.5 hours with a 45 min layover) but I would expected to see that route return when the DL/NW merger somewhat redistributes connection carriers and/or creates a small surplus of mainline aircraft. One of SkyTeam's biggest boons is their coverage of Europe. You'll likely be connecting in ATL and/or JFK alot, and then some in CDG as well, and possibly some in CDG depending on your final destination. SkyTeam's coverage of China is growing as well and, depending on final destination, should not be problematic.