Aegean is a very reliable FFP, I really suggest it. Award availability is good, and pricing is pretty standard.

You don't even have to fly them, although their lounges are service are great.

If you fly TATL and want upgrades, then probably M&M is the best for you.

(1) What is your home airport?
BKK, LAX
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
35k or more
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
UA Premier
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Good redemption, upgrade rates and *G
(6) Which routes do you fly most often?
Trans-pacific (BKK-LAX on TG), regional asia, US domestic
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
Travel for pleasure

I decided to join UA Mileage Plus many years ago when it had pretty good redemption rates (ex. F-class BKK-NRT 40,000miles) and before multiple revisions of the program. But now the rates are not really good. I could never get to gold on Mileage Plus. I always fly TG on BKK-LAX route so I didn't really need lounge access for stopovers. However, I'm considering switching to another airline which will require a stopover and possibly lounge access. I already flew 20,000 this year and probably another 15,000. I currently have 22,000 in my UA account. Should I just continue with UA for the rest of the year or just join another program? Thanks!

I would go with A3 (or Asiana, see the posting). Only 20k (well, 19k after registration) to make *G, and their qualification period is 12 months, not a calendar year, so you could immediately switch over. Their redemption rates/availability is ok, nothing good or bad. Their office hours are Greek time, but that's quite a minor issue I assume. Otherwise, you could try with Asiana, where *G would also be possible for you. If you decide to fly with them (As they would be quite a good choice for your pattern) having *G on their program would be better me thinks. I would check the exact booking classes you're usually booking yourself into and what they'll net you on A3 vs. Asiana, the carriers you're most probably going to fly and then decide upon this.

(1) What is your home airport? HSV
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? cheapest I can find
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 20K – 30K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? DL Silver
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
1. Free Travel/Redemption rates
2. Status to avoid baggage fees maybe an occasional upgrade if I am lucky
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? US Domestic various destinations plus 1 int’l a year
(7) Preferred Airlines?
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Both flying the cheapest available

I have an upcoming trip on LH HSV-CLT-MUC-KBP-MUC-CLT-HSV ticketed in H. I have been looking at US or A3 but open to suggestions. US because of the 100% bonus on buying miles until the end of the month and A3 because of the easy requirements to get status. I figured this trip should get me a little over 10K miles plus the current promo with US would almost get me a ticket to North Asia where I plan to head next year. I signed up for the ANA tool and the dates I played around with show availability. Any flaws in my logic? Any truth to the rumor about US leaving * Alliance? Appreciate any advice?

For you, easiest way to get status is A3.
US ...if you can get up to 25K miles...you will have low level Star Silver status,
but 19K on A3 gets you Star Gold...top tier with Star Alliance.

Thats going to be the decision you have to make.....
If redeeming to North Asia is your unique goal, then consider US.

Thanks for this offer!
FRA
Economy, mixture of M, W, S, K, etc
So far, it's been about 20k, this year it will probably be around 30k
No status so far; I might make M&M FTL this year
If I make M&M FTL this year I'll get fast-track on security in FRA, which I'm looking very much forward to (it literally can take hours to get through...), lounge access (free WiFi) is a nice add-on.
Europe
Being based in FRA, you can't really avoid LH (including OS)... Occasionally I go SK, but coach in LH is much more comfortable!
Work, and our travel office is compelled to book the cheapest possible fares. We can -- however -- give preferences regarding connections and airlines (but if there's a much cheaper connection on another airline, they'll book us on that one).

Again, if you want Star Gold, Aegean (A3) will be the best fit for you.
Will A3 Star Gold get you fast track security??
It will surely get you access to the Senator Lounge at FRA.

LH M/M is alright...but its really a better program for folks who fly a lot of expensive fares.

Thanks, snod08! I'll have a look at A3. I think *G will give me fast track at most airports I frequent.

(1) What is your home airport? BHX
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? EK Silver
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge Access and Easy Redemption and Good redemption rates.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? BHX - DAC ( or far east)
(7) Preferred Airlines - EK usually
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Travel mainly for pleasure.

Then definitely go for A3. they give you 1000 elite miles just to sign up. So you only need 19K miles after that to get to Gold.
Star silver is 4K miles total.

Be watchful of the fare classes you buy....some of the LH fares dont earn too much on A3. And some routes (intra-Europe especially) earn a flat rate of miles.

See if that will / will not be beneficial to you based on your last years flying pattern for example.

You are probably better off sticking to EK...as that will be the fastest way (probably) to get to DAC from BHX.

With Star, only Thai and Singapore airlines fly to DAC as far as i know.

That means, you have to first get to BKK or SIN, before you can connect to DAC....its a lot of hassle (will be a minimum of two connections on TG or SQ, as opposed to one-stop on EK).

AI flies to DAC. And they will join soon (hopefully).

With your profile, I'd say A3, because it gives you lounge access, which is what you want.

Good point! lets hope AI gets in soon enough. It will help a lot of people.

Isn't Turkish Airlines another possibility?