Very interesting thread (and I almost overlooked it because it has developed from a somewhat misleading heading).

I have valued Richard's advice on another board, and in a small way will try to reciprocate.

Dave Noble's advice is good - open a BA EC account in mainland Europe. BUT there are several caveats.

Check the membership handbook online - enter Germany or whatever - and see how not only the gold and silver accrual requirements are lower but also how the awards differ. [And there are inconsistencies - Deutsche BA is still listed as a BA partner, so you may need to check important info by phone.]

The award levels are different, some are higher and some are lower, and you will need to make sure how your preferred destinations are affected.

Also, if you have a BA Amex card, this only awards miles for cardholders with UK addresses.

What I find interesting is how BA have been improving their add-on services, at least for premium passengers. For a while, they were a follower in my view, now they are a leader. NCW seats can be great and the JNB Arrivals lounge (which I didn't know about until I arrived in JNB) must be their winner on the JNB route. (No, I haven't used the SA or VS equivalents, but I would find it difficult to see how they could improve on the BA lounge; now the JNB Departure lounge is different, the VS lounge is far superior in my view).

Recent NCW trips to the US have been great, and I'm looking forward to taking my wife to NYC, Concorde out and F back on award tickets, no problem there either .