When evaluating which to programme to join keep in mind the smaller ones, e.g. BMI, SAS and Thai. All three have a fairly low thresholdfor *G when you are not living in their "home country" which you are not. BMI has a quite good "cash and points" redemption option. SAS has a fantastic exhange rate on Pacific flights - e.g. 40.000 point/miles for a return C from Australia to the South Pacific. Just a thought