Originally Posted by
Fullface
I don't know how much more miles in terms of pure metrics. Count something like 10 trips to (East) Asia + Japan, 10 to US / Canada, 3-4 to Aus / NZ, random number in Europe per year.
As to what to expect from FQTV, Lounges as comfy as possible comes first. Rest i'd say based on my other program experiences, appreciate seat selection early, ability to fix issues if cancellations or delays without having to spend infinite time haggling, potentially rate of free upgrades, and miles that actually are usable for something. I don't care much about extra luggages.
Is that what you need ?
o.k. wo you travel A LOT. 10 trips to Asia, 10 to US and then some more - you are traveling 250k and more miles a year. No matter what, you can make SAG on *A airlines, even if you book 25% earning fares. So you basically have that all set.
Your expectations above are not expectations from an FQTV program, lounge comfort is operating carrier, seat selection is operating carrier, fixing issues is operating (or ticketing) carrier etc. Your FQTV programs gives you SAG status which allows you to enter any *A lounge when flying a *A carrier. So for example I have UA*G and I fly Swiss all the time and use their lounges - the two are very separate.
What you need to look into and think about are the airlines you wish to fly. You wrote LX, OS and NH - then there is some BR. You should also IMHO look into TK (good network, apparently o.k. in Y, very good lounges). The seat selection will be your biggest issue. *A does not have seat selection (like OW does) benefits and this is all on the operating carrier. As long as you avoid lite/basic fares then all airlines will allow (premium) seat selection for their own Elites - NOT for Elite members from other *A carriers - just not a benefit with *A.
The other thing you need to consider is access to contract lounges (like the one in NCE) which is NOT a *A benefit and not all carriers will allow access to such lounges. Most will, but some don't. So depending on your O/D this could be an important consideration.
As a general rule, as long as you avoid K-class with LHG airlines, you can get to a 50% distance earning. e.g. L-class on LX and OS will earn 50% with AC and UA. Assuming 250k miles flown in L-class you'd be e.g. getting pretty much to United 1K status (assuming you can swing 4 UA segments somewhere) and certainly some AC status as well (they are changing their rules next year - haven't gone to fully understand that yet). So e.g. of you went with UA, 250k miles gives 250k earned miles (50% plus 100% bonus on LHG or NH flights), 22500 PQP and therefor 1K status with 280 +Ps that can be used for things like upgrades, gifting status etc.
Now, that won't solve your advance seat selection problem with partner airlines - the only way to solve this is to fly the airline (group) you have status with. So get LH Sen status (which should be no problem with the many flights your take, assuming you have enough LX/OS flights to get to the qualifying points). Here your earnings on LHG fares will be based on EUR spent (so that's going to sting); other airlines will be distance based. LH Sen will give you access to 'some' UG vouchers, but e.g. less so than with UA.
My advice to you is - settle on a carrier for long-haul flights (with your flight pattern that is probably either LHG or TK) to get to seat selection in Y - and then go with that FQTV program for the better or worse. They all have pros and cons.