My parents are retiring to NZ close to some of my family in around a year's time. They have been 'frequent' positive revenue travellers in the past mainly on Southwest but have never really coordinated their travel to take advantage of miles collection or achieving status of any form. Other trips, including 3 RTW's have been off the back of my collection of miles on BA.

Given their move and plans to travel to the US around three times a year and once or twice a year to Europe, I am encouraging them to join a program. If only to save some of my miles in getting them from one set of grandchildren to the next.

I'm looking for recommendations on programs for them. Specifically, most flight will depart from AKL. My Mom will fly 3 times per year to the mid-atlantic in the US, almost certainly in discounted economy, joined minimally once a year with my Father. They will also fly together at least once a year to Europe. In between will be the occasional trip to Australia for a long weekend and I can also imagine explorations to SE Asia every once in a while.

As an added bit of input, they are planning several trips from ABQ to somewhere on the mid-atlantic over the next 7-9 months before moving, which could serve to 'prime the pump' so to say.

Obviously, a OW carrier is an option, but is Qantas or AA better? A *A carrier is also an option but I am not as familiar with these programs.

Idea's, suggestions, options?

Thanks