Hallo all, nice to find this forum
I'm a new member, I live in Italy, will relocate in a few to Shanghai for business for something like 2-3 years.

My "hub" will be Shanghai, yet I'll travel really a lot to Xiamen (sha - xia - sha), will manage yearly a couple (or more) flies to Italy (sha - (milan or rome) - sha), and will probably have to go to Turkey, USA, Egypt, India, ... (everywhere marble is - dealing with marble import/export).

Now, since I'll be travelling a lot I'd like to get a good frequent flyer program, to be able to access to lounges as soon as possible.

I've heard Italy-China best companies to fly with are Lufthansa or Cathay.
I was temped of going Star Alliance for international routes, but I found that Shanghai - Xiamen is flown only by China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines, Xiamen Airlines...all others are via somewhere (CP via hkg, AC via khn or szx).

Do you have any suggestion? Is there any way I can get a Miles&More card or MarcoPolo and gain Lufthansa or Cathay status with internal sha-xia flights?

(I wouldnt like going with skyteam...)

Any suggestion is welcome

Thank you all!





Here a recap:
1) What is your home airport? (Shanghai it seems)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? No idea...economy/business in China, economy/business for international routes.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? Again, no idea, above clarifications.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? None
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (lounge access, upgrades for international flights. Absolutely don't care of redemption)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (read above)
(7) Preferred Airlines (had been said Lufthansa or Cathay....NO ALITALIA)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (work, will be able to chose class)