Hello All - Really hope you'll be able to help me out here.

I just started a new job this year, traveling 100% as a consultant. I've been flying corporate jets for the past decade plus, so even though I'm a frequent flyer, the whole commercial part of it is new to me.

I live in Portland, Oregon, and travel throughout the US and Canada with South America and other International travel to hit occasionally. My biggest struggle is being in Portland, and only having Alaska with any large number of flights out, but they're almost all on the West Coast. I'm traveling to Toledo, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Memphis, Boston and other points in the US. For the next foreseeable future (2-3 years) the majority of my travel will be to Canada, Calgary and Toronto, but I'm also trying to pick up some clients South of the border as well.

I can't seem to find an airline to commit my loyalty to in order to accumulate the most miles. If I join one and have to fly on other airlines, can I apply the mileage to the one I joined, and get 100% of the miles credited?

I'm looking to join Northwest Airlines WorldClub, only because I like their accommodations the best, and I can use the majority of other club rooms along the way, even if I'm not flying on them at the time.

I would prefer to fly NWA the most, but they have hardly any flights out of PDX. Also looked into Air Canada, but they are very limited on flights within the US.

My biggest concerns are accumulating the most miles to cash in for leisure travel internationally, and to get upgrades when flying. I'll be elite almost instantly, and will be able to gain and maintain Platinum without any problems.

I sure hope someone will be able to help.

Thanks so much!

p.s. any good books any of you can recommend on Road Warrior Travelers like me/us?