Dear FlyerTalk:

I recently accepted a role that will require me to fly back and forth between Spain and NY/NJ 7-8 times per year (14-16 legs). I'm just getting to planning -- is there anyone here who is well versed in the NY/NJ - Spain commute and has any guidance on the best loyalty program/carrier to focus on (the travel expense will be coming out of my hide, not the company's, though they are paying me well enough to justify that expense).

Very much uninformed despite spending a lot of time googling about the best ways to gain status and improve my odds of upgrades/benefits given a regular commute. Help!

Will