Ok - here's a question for all you gurus. I am American and live in Israel. I haven't traveled much in the last year although with one more flight to the US in coach this year, I'll get Gold status on Delta. (Once upon a time I was platinum). ElAl once status matched me to platinum and then knocked me down right away when I didn't fly enough.

Mileage balances on various airlines:

Delta - currently saved about 120k miles
ELAL - About 1500 points
Continental - Around 10k points, I think
I also have about 100k miles saved up on Amex and a bunch of Starwood points as well, which I understand won't transfer to Continental anymore post-merger but still transfer to ElAl and Delta.

I own my own business and am going to be traveling to the US and Europe a lot more than I used to - probably once every 6 weeks or so. Most of the time my clients will pay, about 25% of the time I will pay. Most of my clients only pay for coach tickets although I am likely to go to SF in business class in two weeks. Trips are typically to NY, SF, Germany, sometimes London.

The question is as follows:

What strategy should I adopt with regard to mileage programs?

I have been thinking that I should take one more flight on Delta to get Gold, then status match to a Star Alliance carrier and fly mostly Lufthansa/Continental(United). United to NYC, and Lufthansa to SF and Europe. If BMI still flew to London that would seal the deal for me. Skyteam seems not to be an option since the seating options on Israel to Europe flights stink compared to LH not to mention uncomfortable domestic flights in the US, although I find Delta from NY to TA to be fine.

Alternatively, I could try to status match to ElAl and then only fly them, but it is problematic to SF and I find their tickets to often be much more money than other airlines. I have heard that I am more likely to get upgraded on ElAl just for having status, whereas Delta and Lufthansa only upgrade you if they need the space in the back. I also dislike the fact that every time I want to book a mileage ticket on ElAl I have to pay a crazy fuel surcharge. I am also not a "business" client of any airline, although I suppose it makes sense for me to do that - does anyone know if I can get better rates that way?

Since I have addresses in the US and Israel, I can register in either place if that helps with the programs.

I welcome the group's opinions on what to do!