Hi Folks,
New to flying and must start out with the standard question - which airline FF program would be best in my situation? I expect to fly US (SFO) to Asia (PEK, TPE) about twice a year (J class). SFO to BOM/DXB once a year and SFO to LHR once a year (Y class). About once a month within US (SFO/SJC to random places within US) for which I currently already have a SW RR account.
Would appreciate your recommendations for choosing a FF program in this situation. I am considering BA, EK, CX and SQ, but am open to others.
I like EK and BA because I can redeem a free RT to LHR/DXB at some point, but CX is very well connected within Asia.

But additionally, I'd like generic inputs on what programs amongst these are considered most rewarding in terms of redeeming roundtrip/upgrade rewards and quicker in moving up the tier status?

Thanks.

I'd look at UA. They have a hub at SFO, fly to BOM, DXB, and LHR, plus have flights to NRT, where you can transfer to an NH flight to access much of Asia. UA's award availability is excellent; plus, getting free E+ with Premier status is a great value.

Welcome to the forum

Be very aware many award flights are far from "free", especially with BA.
Many FFP's have additionial fees. Some are very high.

Look here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star-...post-here.html

I'd agree. US seems like the best play here. The added bonus is many non-stops to domestic destinations which is convenient also...

Thanks all.
Coincidently, NH now has a direct SJC - NRT flight, which I can then connect to other Asian airports.
Can I earn miles directly on my UA account if I am flying NH, since they are both *A? Are there any disadvantages (fewer miles earned?) of doing so?

+1 for UA, especially since it's so easy to get UA miles via Chase UR points if you want to accelerate your earnings.

Check out the United chart for earning miles on ANA flights here. As you can see, it all depends on the booking code your tickets are issued under. But virtually all flights for your purposes (trans-pacific and within Japan) earn at least 100% on UA, with all of the J class fares earning 175% (though only 150% of that will be preferred qualifying miles -- that is, counting toward elite status).

Your connections from Japan to China will earn at the same rate in J, and at a slightly lower rate in Y, depending on booking code.