Hi all,

I am travelling a lot this year between London and the USA. I started the below thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...y-program.html

decided on AA and have just completed their Platinum challenge and my status has cleared.

Given the amount of flying I'll be doing this year I think I can grow in 2 programs and AA is not always the best for me in terms of direct flights, arrival times, it appears some Star Alliance carriers are much more convenient for getting me into LHR early Tuesday mornings so I can work that day and flying direct is less hassle and less risk of delays, cancellations etc.

From my searching on Kayak.com United, Continental, US Airways, Delta come up a lot more convenient than AA. I flew at Christmas Air Canada/Continental LHR-LAG, BOS-LHR so have 10000+ miles there I have not claimed against any program.

- My question is which is the best Star Alliance program for me to join? when I always fly economy and want a good chance at upgrades, and to get to rise up program levels quickly for priority boarding, baggage, lounge access, wifi etc.

- Given my flights over Christmas can I join a program now and claim those back dated miles?

- Do any of the Star Alliance programs offer a fast track challenge like AA has the Platinum challenge?

Below are my flights for the rest of the year:

Note I need to book to WAS pref IAD as soon as possible.

London (LON) to Washington (WAS).– Thu 4 Mar - Mon 8 Mar
London (LON) to Boston (BOS).– Thu 25 Mar - Mon 29 Mar
London (LON) to Seattle (SEA).– Thu 1 Apr - Mon 5 Apr
London (LON) to Reno (RNO).– Thu 15 Apr - Mon 19 Apr
London (LON) to San Diego (SAN).– Thu 6 May - Mon 10 May
London (LON) to Atlanta (ATL).– Thu 27 May - Mon 31 May
London (LON) to Newark (EWR).– Thu 17 Jun - Mon 21 Jun
London (LON) to Miami (MIA).– Thu 15 Jul - Mon 19 Jul
London (LON) to Boston (BOS).– Thu 26 Aug - Mon 30 Aug
London (LON) to Dallas (DFW).– Thu 2 Sep - Mon 6 Sep
London (LON) to Phoenix (PHX).– Fri 10 Sep - Mon 13 Sep
London (LON) to Buffalo (BUF).– Thu 23 Sep - Mon 27 Sep
London (LON) to San Francisco (SFO).– Thu 7 Oct - Mon 11 Oct
London (LON) to Santa Ana (SNA).– Thu 28 Oct - Mon 1 Nov
London (LON) to (PIE or TPA) – Thu 11 Nov - Mon 15 Nov
London (LON) to Chico (CIC or SMF) .– Thu 2 Dec - Mon 6 Dec
London (LON) to Palm Springs (PSP).– Thu 30 Dec - Mon 3 Jan 2011

Thanks