Originally Posted by alex0683de

Originally Posted by FTLexMUC View Post
Interesting input

My guess is that I will use it only for business (class) trips. I will likely at some point be flying business with BA across the pond.

So, Cathay then? I would think that it's a good program for you, yes.

Edit: I just remebered that I might be flying Emirates as well. Does that factor into the equation? No, because there is no airline oneworld program that has a relationship with Emirates, at least not yet. When JAL formally joins oneworld later this year, that might be an option. However, I would suggest either joining Emirates Skywards if you think you'll fly them enough to earn an award or putting your miles on either United or South African Airways and building up some additional miles off your Star Alliance flying there on your off-years where you don't need to requalify for SEN. The other options are JAL, as mentioned, and Continental or Korean Air which would be SkyTeam.
Edit 2: Are they seriously charging 50 bucks to join the Cathay Program? Sort of. They're charging 50 bucks to join the Marco Polo Club, which is the part of the program that lets you earn elite status and such. If you think you won't fly at least 25K miles on oneworld in a given year, you won't make elite status anyway, so you can sign up for the free version of the program called AsiaMiles, for which you can find information at www.asiamiles.com. The earning and redemption rates are the same, but you cannot earn elite status through AsiaMiles.

See my answers in red.