First off this thread is a godsend! I really appreciate any advice/wisdom that the experience of the forum can provide. With that said I'll jump into answering the questions in hopes that someone has relevant through or experience.]

I've done some research and it seems like for commuter flight into and out of Riyadh, with the split of weekend destinations between Amman and Abu Dhabi, OneWorld flying primarily Royal Jordanian and Qatar Airways is my best bet for managing all the logistics within a single network. My main question is about which airline I should join in terms of earning miles. I've got an account on AA which I've never really used since flying United for all my domestic business travel for the past 2 years, and am interested in finding the best match for the criteria in the questions answered below.

I'm expecting to fly routes in order of descending frequency:
1. Amman<->Riyadh
2. Abu Dhabi <-> Riyadh
3. Amman <-> Abu Dhabi

I will most likely fly two long haul flights back to the US and am expecting to cover upwards of 50,000 physical miles across 40+ flights.

Thanks for any insight!


Best Oneworld Frequent Flyer Program for you?


The answer to this question depends very much on your personal travel profile and objectives.

- do you value miles/points (or equivalent) for redemption over gaining status?
miles/points over status

- do you fly enough to gain any meaningful status?
Yes, expecting to be commuting weekly/bi-weekly

- what do you want to use the miles/points for (award, upgrade, hotels, what ever)?
personal travel (primarily flight awards)

- what sort of flight award is of interest (destination, class of travel)?
destination options, mileage-saver fares, status in that order

- are you interested in topping up by paying cash for miles?
No

- which airline and where do you normally fly?
I've been with United for the past 2 years for business travel and have Silver status there. I've primarily flown a mix of domestically and long-haul internationally (NZ, Nepal, etc.) in the past 2 years for personal travel.


- are you primarily a leisure or business traveller?
Both

- where do you live?
I'll be commuting between Riyadh and Amman (and Abu Dhabi) for the next year.

- do you have other ways of earning points in the various programs, e.g. credit cards, shopping, etc,?
No



Questions
For members asking for information, to help people to assist you, can you please provide:
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: good award redemption rates, better award access

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Reply: Expecting to fly 25000-50000 physical miles and 25-50 flights

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Reply: Premium Economy

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Travel for work; I book all my own flights and choose class (other than first/business)

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
Reply: Will be primarily flying Amman<->Riyadh and Riyadh<->Abu Dhabi and occasionally Amman<->Abu Dhabi.

(6) What is your home airport?
Reply: AMM, RUH

(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in OW or other airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
Reply: United Silver
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Reply: normally fly United, but looking to switch away since they generally have poor coverage in the region.