The answer to this question depends very much on your personal travel profile and objectives.
- what is your definition of best?
I am looking for a program that will give me the most miles for my money, has alot of airlines it can transfer miles to, and
- do you value miles/points (or equivalent) for redemption over gaining status?
I am not sure yet, but I think that it depends on the perks for gaining said status. Because of work, I do not think I will have loyalty status at anywhere besides Marriott but I'll probably lean towards loyalty due to not really having any time to redeem for leisure.
- do you fly enough to gain any meaningful status?
I am not sure yet, but I think I will be flying alot in the very near future. My company will usually book Marriott hotels, but the airlines we book with vary by what is cheapest
- what do you want to use the miles/points for (award, upgrade, hotels, what ever)?
Most likely flights and hotels
- what sort of flight award is of interest (destination, class of travel)?
I am very interested in class of travel. I am a big fan of Lucky's blog One Mile at a Time, and am interested in trying one of those first class experiences at least once in my life.
- are you interested in topping up by paying cash for miles?
Probably not with my own money, though our company is very different than many in that you pay for your flights and time there with your own credit card then the company will reimburse you for the money you spent. I think I am sitting on a potential cash cow and want to take advantage of it to the best of my ability.
- which airline and where do you normally fly?
Will be nation-wide on several different airlines (no loyalty, they will just book with whatever is cheapest). So far I have seen alot of American and JetBlue.
- are you primarily a leisure or business traveller?
I think that I will primarily be a business traveller with not much time for leisure travel, but I will be travelling alot, nationwide on many different airlines.
- where do you live?
Boston area.
- do you have other ways of earning points in the various programs, e.g. credit cards, shopping, etc,?
Not that I know of (I am green as grass in this game) but am willing to sign up for any one of those programs if it will help me get a couple more rewards. Been planning on signing up for the Chase Sapphire Premium Rewards Card and the Marriott Premier Rewards Card. Been hearing alot of good things about both.

Any help would be much appreciated! Thank you.