Originally Posted by mpkz

I'll be moving from HEL to HKG in about 6 months along with a complete change in my travel patterns. Along with the QR devaluation and crappy customer service, it's high time to switch FFPs. I think I'll fly enough to earn OWE, even on AY. I use miles mainly for upgrades as work travel is quite restricted. Don't really ever use non-upgrade redemptions.

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?
(upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, extra baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, free - discounted lounge access, etc.)
Reply:
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
(<25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles - <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: >50 flights, >50k miles. But not much higher than that.
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply: Typically economy. Some cheap business tickets. Economy flights for work often higher fare buckets.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Yes, and both (roughly 50/50)
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: HEL-Asia, intra-European (will be reduced), HEL-South Africa (but that will be reduced), probably will have an increasing number of intra-Asian flights next year
(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: HEL now, HKG soon
(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?
(AA Executive Platinum, QF Gold, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)
Reply: QR Plat, almost renewed for next year so that I can enjoy the benefits while switching.
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Reply: QR, CX and AY.

Here are my options and the main concerns on each:
QR - devaluation and poor on the ground service, but relatively easy status
AY - status is harder to earn, not many upgrades even as a plat? But probably the most convenient for upgrades.
CX - don't know much the program.
BA - supposedly good value and easy status. However, upgrading on BA isn't great and rumors of another devaluation?

So I'm leaning towards AY unless someone can convince me not to? I am a bit concerned that Plat on AY takes 4 HKG-HEL roundtrips in J (which I can do without much pain, it's just annoyingly high a bar) and is almost impossible in economy.