Ok - here's a question for all you gurus. I am American and live in Israel. I haven't traveled much in the last year although with one more flight to the US in coach this year, I'll get Gold status on Delta. (Once upon a time I was platinum). ElAl once status matched me to platinum and then knocked me down right away when I didn't fly enough.

Mileage balances on various airlines:

Delta - currently saved about 120k miles
ELAL - About 1500 points
Continental - Around 10k points, I think
I also have about 100k miles saved up on Amex and a bunch of Starwood points as well, which I understand won't transfer to Continental anymore post-merger but still transfer to ElAl and Delta.

I own my own business and am going to be traveling to the US and Europe a lot more than I used to - probably once every 6 weeks or so. Most of the time my clients will pay, about 25% of the time I will pay. Most of my clients only pay for coach tickets although I am likely to go to SF in business class in two weeks. Trips are typically to NY, SF, Germany, sometimes London.

The question is as follows:

What strategy should I adopt with regard to mileage programs?

I have been thinking that I should take one more flight on Delta to get Gold, then status match to a Star Alliance carrier and fly mostly Lufthansa/Continental(United). United to NYC, and Lufthansa to SF and Europe. If BMI still flew to London that would seal the deal for me. Skyteam seems not to be an option since the seating options on Israel to Europe flights stink compared to LH not to mention uncomfortable domestic flights in the US, although I find Delta from NY to TA to be fine.

Alternatively, I could try to status match to ElAl and then only fly them, but it is problematic to SF and I find their tickets to often be much more money than other airlines. I have heard that I am more likely to get upgraded on ElAl just for having status, whereas Delta and Lufthansa only upgrade you if they need the space in the back. I also dislike the fact that every time I want to book a mileage ticket on ElAl I have to pay a crazy fuel surcharge. I am also not a "business" client of any airline, although I suppose it makes sense for me to do that - does anyone know if I can get better rates that way?

Since I have addresses in the US and Israel, I can register in either place if that helps with the programs.

I welcome the group's opinions on what to do!

I'd suggest you take the extra Delta flight and than status match to LH, contact Elal tell them you are going to start flying often try to get them status match you again, use then Elal for all direct flights (London, New york Etc. connecting with LH can be a big hassle) while you'll still have the option of using LH when it's worth it pricewise.

Where is SF? Do you mean SFO?

1. If you can fly mostly C; I would take LH or CO,
2. If you fly mostly expensive Y (i.e. S bucket) I would fly LY because of the last minute upgrades.
3. If you fly standard Y I would fly LH or CO as you get usually full miles for the flight which you do not get in LY
Hope this helps,
ysmisc

In LH you can upgrade from any class with points. In LY only S/Y.
Remember that connections in FRA are horrible.

I'm guessing he/she did.

Or just switch to OW and fly BA who now offer the same (full miles and better tier earnings on every fare including the cheapest of the cheap Y fares).

And if you did fly C, you would also get a far superior C product than LH's.

Yes, SFO.

The interesting thing I noticed about LH's program is that for Israeli residents, Israel is considered to be "Europe" for award redemption. That means, I think, 60K miles for an award ticket to North America from Israel in coach vs. 90K on Delta (and more like 120K in reality since the 90K fares are impossible to get) or the indignity of 1400 ElAl points plus the 250$ fuel surcharge!

Also, since LH's first tier of status starts at 35k, I'm thinking I might be able to ask for a status match now, and then join the LH program. When I think about this in terms of daily seats out of Israel available for award tickets, Star Alliance may have the most, with the 2 CO flights, 2 LH flights with 747 and A340, Austrian, LOT, Brussels, Turkish, US Airways, Air Canada, Swiss, etc.

Yes, true and probably better in that respect than OW out of Israel.

Even though CO and AC are practically impossible in terms of award availability.

The fuel surcharge will be just as high, if not higher, if you join Miles and More.

In my experience, the fuel surcharge on LH is $400 to the US. That being said, one ends up using less miles in general, and if you make it to Senator (100,000 miles per annum) and are going on a family trip, a lot less miles are required (50% mileage discount for companion and 25% discount for children < age 12)

You are correct on the C etc. However, I still think * has more options when it comes to flying out of Israel.
best
ysmisc

Does anyone know if LH has a family plan like ElAl for earning miles that is valid in Israel? On their site, they show it available for all the Arab countries, but don't list Israel. If they have this, I think it will seal the deal for me as I am taking my wife and 3 kids to the US once a year and that plus one or two business trips get me Senator status.

*A gives you the most seats. IMHO, the bestmileage program to use is CO's OnePass.

Move to *A and credit to OZ. Easier to maintain the *A Gold.