Hi - this is a repost of a thread in the aeroplan forum so apologies to those who saw it there - any advice on the following would be appreaciated:

I have a friend who will be doing 5 or 6 return runs from SYD to YVR in Y on AC starting in Feb 2013 and finishing in Dec 2013. Each run is worth 15000 miles. He has no miles/no status credit with any program. He is looking for advice as to the best FF program for him given the changes to Aeroplan Elite in 2013. Total milages for the year approx 90000.

i guess the fundamental question is aeroplan or another *program.

i would think he should try to get *Gold status ASAP - Aegean seems to be the go for this (21000 miles = Gold) but the program doesn't appear to offer earn bonuses once u get to gold.

to get to gold on aeroplan will need to wait after trip four (50000 miles) but could elect to get lounge accesss after 35000 (trip 3)

any thoughts would be most welcome.