Originally Posted by AX9465

as gurus will say tell me where do you want to go today (oops - think it's microsoft ad )... what I wanted to say is that choice of FFP nowadays is entirely dependent on what award you are saving your miles for and what you flying patterns are (and also whether your planned award will be for economy or business class).
for miles lasting for a long time - best insurance will be to take miles earning credit card - as typically your miles will not expire as long as you have it (there are some exceptions).
If you want to fly to Brazil, I'd check if US is flying there. US is the infrequent (nowadays) exception that will not charge you arbitrary taxes (fuel surcharge) when you book award travel with them.
AX