I've been asking myself the same question. bmi comp'd me to Silver, based on BA status (and I have no particular desire to head for Gold with them as I have OW lounge access now, and requalified for next year). However, I have discovered that only *A Gold get lounge access around the world with *A carriers...

So, I wondered whether there was any point to being in bmi, and could CO/UA or even M&M be better for my needs. I had not considered VA - are they really that connected to anyone other than ANZ and Singapore?

My primary concern is somewhere to park *A miles for the odd flights I take at best value without them expiring if I don't fly for a while, with the easiest route to *A Gold for lounge access being a secondary concern.

EDIT - or, is someone aware of any OW Emerald to *A Gold comp promotions at present? I realise now that bmi were taking the mikey comp'ing to *A Silver...