I've seen several threads about this, but thought I would start another so I could put in specific flying habits in order to solicit very specific advice -- seems like that is appreciated from fellow FTers.

I am Skyteam Elite Plus as a Delta Platinum. About 3/4s of my flying is US domestic which I easily do on Delta from their NYC based hubs. I prefer flying on Delta so I'm not really interested in switching primary domestic carriers - though, these days, I'm not ruling anything out.

However, as my international flying habits grow, I'm realizing that I'm going to need to consider flying carriers other than members of Skyteam. These days I primarily fly to Europe -- lots of destinations which I do pretty easily on DL, AF, or KL - but am willing to consider others to avoid transfers, &tc. I'm also flying to South East Asia for at least two more trips this year and that is harder on ST.

So, I'm soliciting recommendations on with which program I should bank my oneworld miles. It's unlikely, though not impossible, that I will fly enough to earn status, so that is less important to me than the ability to put the miles to use. I don't know much about their program, but AA seems to be the best place to go. But I'd be interested in others' thoughts about ex-USA carriers.

Thanks to all for your advice.

I agree, and if you start with a few well chosen AA coded flights the Gold or Platinum challenge will set you up with status almost from first flight.

One other thought is that Alaska gives EQM on both AA and DL flights (also AF, KL, NW and LA) and RDM on others (CO, BA, QF and CX) and has a pretty good redemption program too, including (unlike AA) the use of BA metal from the US to Europe. Also elite status is pretty easy to attain. Might complicate things, might help.

Just remember that if you go AA, you will not earn miles/Tier points on BA flights between the UK and US. You can earn miles/Tier points on any other BA flights. This is a competition ruling.

SkyTeam includes Air France, KLM, Alitalia, Czech, Aeroflot. So I am not sure why you are trying about another air alliance.

One to look out for is BMI a member of Star Alliance. There is currently 9,000 miles on offer when you join up and
a) will status match in a flash
b) has rather low threshold for status
Get you UA, SQ, LH, etc.

You will have Star Alliance Gold immediately and it should be easy to retain you if fly UA or LH transatlantic and UA or SQ trans Pacific

Cool - I didn't think of BMI and it would be an easy status match

Be aware that should you sit largely down the back, BD (BMI) won't be the right programme to head for. Economy (coach) fares credit badly to say the least.

If sitting up the front, once over the 55K threshold it happens to be one of the best programmes out there.

[QUOTE=KenJohn;9103648]SkyTeam includes Air France, KLM, Alitalia, Czech, Aeroflot. So I am not sure why you are trying about another air alliance. /QUOTE]

Maybe that's why......

I would not recommend to join the AA program in the OPs case because of the TATL issue. And you clearly want to be on a BA flight from NY when possible. Plus you will also not get domestic lounge access when you have status with AA.
So most probably you will be better off by joining BA.