Thanks IrishGuy28 - that's clear and does make sense. I have been gold/ plat / gold/ gold/ plat etc since 2007 and have recently started to fly more in premium cabin which will make it easier for me to qualify for plat continuously the next years. Have been thinking about switching to star alliance, one world many times but still consider AMS as most practical option with direct connections - hence skyteam.

I guess many of you have had the same thoughts in the past as the grass is always greener......