I have frequently traveled for work domestically (USA) for the past few years. I've recently changed positions and learned I will start traveling throughout Asia and Oceania in a few months. I'm super excited (have never been there before!) but also seeking your help.

My organization requires me to purchase the cheapest coach fare available ("within reason" -- e.g. I think I would be excepted from having to purchase a fare combo that requires like 4 connections and takes 2x the time as the other options, but generally speaking the cheapest "typical" routing for a trip). Additionally, I must purchase all airfare and hotel on my corporate credit card, which is not branded with a rewards organization (boo).

I'm currently a member (no status) with American, United, Jetblue, and Alaska. I have gold medallion status with Delta, but that's a holdover from my previous position -- where I now live, Delta is not a hub and has bad connections that are often more/most expensive than other options. I live in a large Northeastern city where American is the hub.

I'll be traveling to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, China, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, and possibly India, over the next year or so.

Given I don't have much choice in which airlines to fly, I'm still trying to maximize my "benefits" from so much flying.

Do you have suggestions for me? Do you think I should pick a "alliance" and try to maximize that? I'm really hoping to get complimentary premium economy upgrades (I have no delusions about biz class upgrades - HA) for these long-haul flights but just doing some cursory searches, it seems all my routes are cheapest on different carriers and I'm not sure how to most benefit from this travel.

1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
upgrades

2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
unclear right now, but probably >50,000 miles, mostly international

3. What fare class do you usually buy?
economy

4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
No. Work, with a few "for pleasure" trips for my personal vacations.

5. Which routes do you fly most often?
A handful domestic, but will be majority USA to Asia

6. What is your home airport?
American hub, Northeast USA city

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
~200,000 in American; ~100,000 in United; ~350,000 in Delta (Gold medallion, but will lose next year); negligible in Alaska and Jetblue (maybe 20,000 each?)

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
The one I can get the most benefits from! LOL - actually, I am a fan of Delta, but it doesn't serve me well from my new hub.