Okay I'll bite.
The best European place to register for the EC would be France IMHO.
Basically, once you've reached a tier, it' laughably easy to maintain that level.
On the other hand appart from lounge access, it's about the most useless piece of plastic you can own.
The US version of the program (with upgrade awards and 100% mileage bonus for Gold members) is much better IMHO.
Oh, and things are changing with Continental EC, we now have the
best promo ever (for residents of France Metropolitan, Monaco, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, San Marino, Malta, Spain, Andorra, Gibraltar and Portugal only, sorry)
OT: 1- Jenn is not an idiot and I was very sorry not to go to Asia last month so I could have the pleasure of meeting her in person.
2- I'm sure you trained HI too well for him to tastelessly wave a gold card in lounges, Pucci chérie