Thanks. I looked a bit at the ANA program and it seemed OK, but then the JAL program seemed like it offered more complimentary upgrades at the higher tiers? It's hard to differentiate among all of them - plus the idea of using something like United or AA or US Air but still flying ANA or Singapore or whatever. And then what should I take in US domestic flights from LAX?

I'm not really familiar with the hotel side of FF stuff. Flight upgrades, priority check-in, better service are all important. I don't really need hotel stuff too much in Japan - but it might be nice for the occasional Europe trip.

For the average year from Los Angeles - two trips to Japan, two trips to New York, maybe one trip elsewhere (Chicago, Europe, etc). Mostly coach flights, but it would be nice to make them business at a not unreasonable expense. Also maybe $50K-$100K on chargeable business expenses.