As Avianca/Taca is
joining Star this month, you all might want to look at them. They do fly to Europe and offer unlimited upgrades throughout the Americas, plus '4' oneway upgrades to Europe for their Diamond tier, which is only 75k miles.
http://www.lifemiles.com/eng/abo/wnb/wnbelitab.aspx
The Lifemiles program has many of the same benefits as BMI including a cash/miles option and the
ability to redeam high priced awards with cash/miles and earn miles for the award miles flown. What other program allows you to earn miles (as well as class of service bonus) on an award ticket?
Also right now you can buy LifeMiles on a 2x1 basis.
http://www.lifemiles.com/eng/tra/pro...f.aspx?D=DOF24
Plus, IB, UA & LH Pre-Star (LH 200% earnings on F/J) are an earning/redemtion partners as well.
There is a LifeMiles Credit Card with at 20K bonus, as well as a debit card and secured card option, with bonus miles.
http://www.usbank.com/cgi_w/cfm/cred...tancia_sig.cfm
LifeMiles has hotel partners that include: Hilton, Marriott, Best Western, Intercontinental & many others.
Rental Cars: Hertz, Sixt, Global & Others.
Other partners including Dining, as well as other areas.