Thanks very much for the helpful replies!

The one thing that kept me from choosing SQ was that they usually don't give FF miles for deeply discounted tickets. (Neither do MH). I've found normal Y tix on SQ ex-SIN to be very expensive. Oh ya, and isn't KRIS a bit expensive on the redemption scale?

So for s* and 1world, a flight on ANY of the alliance members will contribute to STATUS miles as well as redemption miles? I'm not sure on this point and it would be an important consideration for me.

So far, I'm leaning towards Emirates's Skyward because:
1) Emirates is cheap to Australia
2) Sri Lankan is the cheapEST to Europe
3) Partners are BA, AA, Delta, (for US travel)and SQ/All Nippon for Asia
4) Redemption scales seem reasonable, especially on partner airlines.
5) I've found SriLankan/Emirates good in terms of service/planes.

Bad part is that I don't get status miles on partners, only on SriLankan/Emirates. The other -ve, I believe, is that the miles last only 3 years.

I am curious about joining AA though. Would this be the best US carrier for the international traveller? I didn't know that rules differ depending on country of residence....

Thanks for the replies-keep 'em coming!!

J