Hi, I hope this is the right place to post this message...
I've just joined flyertalk as it was recommended by moneysavingexper.com as a place to get good advice on frequent flyer programmes.

I am emigrating from the UK to New Zealand in a couple of months and my parents are looking to book flights out to see me. They will be making these trips fairly regularly (twice next year for a start) and so it seems to make sense for them to sort a frequent flyer programme before booking.

Can anyone advise me on which will be the best programme for them: a global alliance one or an airline specific one or the generic 'airmiles'? Which have more ways for them to collect miles? Which are the best regarding ease of use for spending miles, length before expiry of miles, upgrade possibilities etc etc....

The only experience I have of frequent flyer programmes is Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer which we joined because we've made regular trips to NZ and they were Star Alliance so we thought they'd be more flexible. But despite earning lots of miles (they sent us gold cards at one point) we have never managed to use any except for access to the lounge once. They always seemed to expire before we'd earnt enough to put towards our next flight (for money or upgrades). So if there are any easier schemes than this, that's be a start!!

Any advice welcome, thank you!!