Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NUE,MUC,INN,FDH
Programs: QF LTG, LH LT-SEN (HON till 02/26), AF-Plat, AB-G†
Posts: 2,179
If you travel a lot with C/F fares LH should be your choice!
You will get Silver after 35k Miles. This gives you 25% on all LH-Group and American carriers (LH/LX/UA/...). These are EQM!
You get 200% miles in C and 300% in F, so it is easy to accumulate a significant number of miles!
If you get 100k Miles in 2010 you will be Gold till Feb 2013. (and then silver till Feb 2015!)
Your keep your miles as long as you have a status (or a credit card in some countries). When you lose your status, you have 3 years to regain it or burn the miles (so your miles are safe till Feb 2018, if you make gold in 2010).
BMI gives you the status for only one year, but it may match your QF-Status.
If you are after a lifetime status, you may look at Asiana.