Hello

I travel for work fairly often in flexible B-class to Asia (HK, China, India) and Europe (Germany, Italy). I also have family in the US (New York) and am keen to spend miles there (normally happy to fly economy unless makes more sense to redeem miles for b-class seats).

I would like to know which frequent flyer program is the best to earn status and accrue miles to fly from London to New York and holidays in Asia/elsewhere. I imagine a Star Alliance one is probably best as would allow me the broadest lounge access. I am based in London.

I'm currently BA Silver (with 45k miles currently) but really don't like BA and don't imagine I will continue flying them unless I must. I'm also Virgin Silver (with 50k miles currently) but that doesn't quite get me lounge access as add'l 25 tier points are needed. I also have 23k Qatar miles and the equivalent status pts from flying return b-class to Hong Kong (from London).

I've heard Aeroplan is the fastest way to get Star Alliance Gold (only 35,000 miles??) but you don't get very much bonus for flying business class. And I almost never fly to Canada but since the Star Alliance programs allow unfettered mile earning and redemption I don't know if that matters.

Any help would be much appreciated!!
Paul.

Welcome to FT! (my 3rd or 4th in over a year)

Based in EU and flying *A will involve LH. For US flyers, AC or Asiana is good for lounge access in the US.
For your style, I think LH may be the best (or only option, as LX and BMI etc have been assimilated)
If you are SEN, you do get treated well and they give double miles for Biz.
You do realize that B is an economy fare and Biz class is C or J, I hope, as Biz class will be better treated and you can get status easily. LH gives double miles for Biz class and offers some reduced awards if you take a companion along.

I know very little about LH, except that I signed up my kids as my brother was a SEN and never again flew them in paid C, so their accounts are dormant. If you lurk in the LH forum, you may learn a lot more about them.

BD is still operating Diamond Club, and as long as it does, I would recommend sticking with DC.