Thanks for the informative replies everyone.

My travels would include flights to CDG, MIL, PRG, AMS, VNO, LAX, BOM, DXB, and HKG, all ex-LHR. Which airline would you recommend for each destination, if you could choose from any airline - not just oneworld or Star? Emirates to DXB? CSA Czech to PRG?

Anyway, back on topic. BA flies direct to all destinations. (I wasn't apply to view the schedules for LHR-VNO on oneworld.com for some reason.)

bmi flies direct to most of my stated destinations except PRG, VNO, BOM, DXB, where it seems LH and SAS are better choices, dependent upon destination. Flights to LAX if on a * alliance carrier would be on UA or Air New Zealand.

Are fares substantially lower on bmi than BA for Economy class travel? What about KLM?


GoldCircle: Thanks for your views on several different programmes.

I am going to dismiss Asiana because I am only CX Silver (oneworld ruby) and I suppose that I will only get comped to Star Silver - not Gold.

I would say that my primary FFP in the Star Alliance, would be either LH or BD. LH has nice COS bonuses if I ever decide to fly in First/Biz and the two year status validity is nice.

I like UA as its redemption levels awards seem to be significantly lower than LH and its 100% elite bonus for Premier Executive. I can credit all my travel on bmi to UA and then earn the elite tier bonus on flights to/from LAX. If I plan to fly with bmi regularly, would I be at a disadvantage by not crediting flights to their FFP?

For travel on BA, I will credit my flights to CX. Just wish they would introduce some more benefits to make their FFP programme more appealing. I will be missing out on the bonuses by not using AA.

Just curious, what is so good about SAS EuroBonus? They score awards at the Freddies year after year.

around the world

[This message has been edited by around the world (edited Mar 08, 2004).]