Thank you, both of you. You guys' suggestions are very helpful!!!

I guess I should go for the one which has Cathay Pacific since my experience with it was good.

Here is my question: should I open an ff program with Alaska or with Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles for Cathay Pacific?) ? Is it true that I will get the same air miles if I travel one of them and I am enrolled in the ff program of one of them?

By the way, can I reclaim my "lost airmiles" which I had last year? I guess not, eh?

Thank you again!