Hello FlyerTalk,

I have been reading FT for some time now but never introduced myself. I have been trying to learn as much as I can about all my options, and have not yet decided on my strategy to maximize miles. I have a specific question for an upcoming vacation in Thailand, and a general question for which programs I should choose.

I have a bit of a complex situation (don't we all ) and don't know what to choose. I just recently move to London from the US, I have about 20K BA miles and 20K UA miles. I also have 200K MR US AMEX points. I fly economy as I am self employed. I fly 3-4 times/yr to TLV and 2-3 times/yr to MRS.

For CCs I have US AMEX Gold Rewards+, UK BA AMEX Premium (though it earns miles to a separate account ) and a Chase BA Visa in the US.

I might move back to the US (SFO or NYC) sometime in 2008 or 2009.

So my question is whether to choose OW or *A? or anything else?

As a case in point, I am flying to BKK end of May. Which airline should I choose to fly with? BA, LH, or THAI?

Thank you for any response, I would be very grateful.

Dan

I am currently in Bangkok on a One World business Class ticket for 130,000 miles for 30,000 miles of actual travel on One World Carriers. My Itinerary is Sydney to Bangkok, to Budapest, to London, to Toronto to Chicago To Tampa to Milwaukee To Reno.

Very satisfied with the business class seat and service on BA from Sydney to Bangkok.

This is the THIRD time I have used a OneWorld award in business class. I think it it one of the best mileage deals available.

It depends on where you fly the most. My preference is Star Alliance because BA miles cannot be earned on AAdvantage for trans-atlantic routes. Even if I could earn it, BA only gives 30% for discounted economy class. On the other hand, LH and BMI miles can be earned by UA Mileage Plus. Also, for trans-pacific routes, CX miles can be earned on AAdvantage only if you buy H class and above. AA does not have any flights beyond NRT without relying on code-sharing flights, but UA has. AA code-sharing with JL often is over-priced.

Among BA, LH and TG, my preference probably is LH unless TG is using newer aircraft for that route. TG's B747 is so old and it is almost scary flying with that aircraft.

Hope it helps.

Thank you LegalEagle and tsuruke.

Here is an update on my situation: I decided to spend my AMEX MR (120K) on a business seat with SQ on LHR-SIN-BKK. Even though it's not the best value for my miles, I am just excited to try out the SQ business product. I might have to go back SIN-LHR in F because of availability (+30K).

For my general choice of alliances; I am thinking that I will dedicate myself to *A because BMI and LH fly to TLV and because BA it is so hard to earn miles with discounted economy seats.

BMI is the best choice, because here you can make very easy *G !!

I second that. Granted, I'm a U.S. based flier but BMI seems to be a great program especially if based in the UK. Since you're not too vested in any other program, I'd give BMI a hard look before moving on to another program. I believe they also have a credit card for UK residents. Check out the BMI board for more info.

Don't know which SQ flight you have to SIN, but if you get SQ17/18 it is likely to be the A380 with the new Business Class seats, which are wonderful. The other flights are on 744s with their older Spacebeds. On those, go for the upstairs exit rows. Upstairs is also 2-2 seating rather than the 2-3-2 downstairs.

I'd also recommend *A. It can be tough to get status on BA unless you 're prepared to spend significantly.

SIN-ICN-SIN is to be operated by A380?

Oops. Got my numbers wrong Should be SQ 317 and 322 LHR-SIN-LHR.

As a person who flies to Thailand three times a year and stays there for about five months total, I find that the best mileage redemption opportunities come from using a Star Alliance carrier. I also find that the Asian airlines (Thai in particular) offer the best service.