After your suggestions I was oriented to TK or OZ.

Unfortunately I discovered he booked LH class L & W, NZ class L and one leg Cathay Pacific that I doubt to be *S.
LH and NZ class L earn 0% on TK and OZ, 50% ? on UA, 25% on LH.

So now he should probably go for UA?

I'll suggest to be more careful with booking class in the future.

Another criteria should be a program with miles and status that do not expire soon. As he will based in NZ for a couple of years, but later who knows?