I was considering MS as well, but all miles expire after 3 years. If there were a way to earn miles from CC spend/hotels/rental cars I probably would choose them, but I doubt I would earn enough just from flights to earn the kind of redemptions I want, based on their burn rates...

For now, I'm at a complete loss as to what to do. Because I'm trying to use up my DC miles, I currently have no paid long-distance flights booked for 2012 (and only a few short flights). If I had more time to travel, I would probably fly some MRs to get *G on Aegean as a placeholder - I can't imagine the 20000 miles for *G will last for many more years. As a mostly cheap fares in NA with a few flights across an ocean and an occasional flight in a front cabin, I had been planning on switching to Aeroplan - but their new 50% miles for all cheap fares (used to be only for intraCanada and Canada-US, now it is also 50% for all international flights). I could survive their 10K metal requirement, but not with the added cost to buy up to a 100% earning fare.

For 2012, I will either start OZ or TK, or just retire from the status-chasing game (crediting my few flights to UAMP) until I have enough paid flights in a year to justify going back to our "insane hobby".

One of those programmes where miles expire, though.

Yes, at least OZ mile expiry is 10 years - 12 years for elites. The hard 3 year expiry on TK was the decider for me.

Flying BD for what may be the last time next week crediting to OZ. (Paltry earning as BD earns Actual mileage only on OZ) but I will make the 40K for *G on my 4th long haul trip this year in Y next month. At this rate I will make OZ Diamond Plus before the 2 years pass, so the lure of lifetime *G will keep calling...;)

Problem now resolved, thanks to the helpful KrisFlyer team at SQ and Diamond Club team at BMI. Miles are now where they should be!

Great to have finally achieved BD*G, even if the programme may only have limited future life! Here's hoping there are some status match options, either with BA as acquirer or other *A carriers, once we finally know what will be happening to DC.

Well.... not SpanairStar appears like.....

I have decided on M&M. I already have enough Star Alliance flights booked this year to bring me very close to SEN anyway, and I already have an OWE sorted out until early 2013. BA is my primary carrier.

As I do not often get an opportunity or inclination to redeem miles, preferring generally to use the miles to upgrade, M&M would suit me best.

I have used DC extensively for long-haul premium travel for the family using Cash & Miles and only using miles purchased outright to a family account plus some credit card spend. I don't think we've bought longhaul tickets outright for years, so in our case too DC has been absolutely fantastic.

I appreciate that there is nothing comparable out there but that maybe US Airways has the programme that gets you further in terms of buying miles (with their frequent 100% bonus on purchased miles)? It'll take us a lot longer to buy our way to C class tickets for the family though... Would you agree with this in terms of burn rates per $?

US Airways was my choice for exactly that reason.

Looked left, looked right, spent a lot of time analysing all options, but at the end of the day, I remembered why I joined DC in the first place which was easy *G status.

I don't know why I have hesitated so long but Aegean is just the inevitable choice, even if it doesn't feel right, but then nor did BD at the beginning...

Credited my first flight yesterday which, co-incidentally, was the day I received a nice shiny box from British Midlands with my latest Gold card valid until March 2013.

I had never counted on much in the way of miles from BD - it was all about status. So imagine my surprise at suddenly finding myself with enough for two BC tickets from Europe to Aus, and availability on SQ A380.

Thank you BD - I will miss you.

Well I've had the morning all to my self so I've looked at all the *A options and came to this. My needs are *G over spending miles and generally fly UACO TATL or LH in Europe.

Aegean is probably the best with 32,000 miles (based on a 50% earnage rate) to requalify yearly *G on cheap UA flights and 50% on S class.

Ethiopia is good with a high 50,000 points for *G but 100% on cheap LH fares (apart from L,E,K).

Asiana is another option for me since this is all 2 yearly and 50% on S LH fares and 100% on UA.

I'm looking to move to M&M due to ease.

However I have an upcoming trip in June on Virgin with six family members and was wondering if anyone can advised how best to pool the miles. There doesn't seem to be too many FF schemes that accept Virgin miles and have the ease of DC, however with its seeming impending demise it looks like DC won't be an option but I will be spending any miles later this year. Any advise is welcome?

Thanks

Buy US Club membership
 

Last year US had a deal where you could buy annual Club Membership; for around $250, which includeds US & United Clubs, (you can use even if your not flying star) and all Star alliance clubs (must fly with Star with these).

US Low Cost Awards--Good Program
 

US does have some great earning promos plus for Europe/South America where else can you get value J to Hawaii for 60k.

Plus if you do travel in the USA the upgrade percentage even as silver is quite good. My experience with inter-europe flights in J (excluding LOT which as great) has been so so, having US Airways be much better with its domestic service that what I have found in Europe.

Thus, I really feel that the (along with TAP & LOT) are underappreciated Star members, with outstanding service both on their regional flights as well as transatlantic.

Also I should mention that you can buy a 2x or 3x multiplier on some tickets at a good rate.

I was gearing towards OZ, but I decided to sign up to US today. Did anyone notice that Virgin Atlantic flights count towards Preferred Status? This is great for me personally as I do fly that airline to Asia often. US is also part of E-Rewards and I can use a SPG credit card to earn extra miles. The earn/burn ratio is better than OZ too. Finally, an opportunity to buy miles to get *Gold is very good.

Not a problem for me, since I book a couple of award flights every year.

I also like the fact that you can purchase up to 10000 status miles if you are an elite.