About to start travelling for my new job. Most travel will be on AA as preferred corp airline. But in some instances (eg due to availability) may need to travel on *A. Most travel will be between LAX and Europe - LHR and FCO at the moment but destinations will expand. Travel will be in F (and presumably J within Europe). Unlikely any UA travel domestically in US.

My reading of the comparison chart shows that LH gives you 300% miles for F travel but no elite bonus. UA gives you 150% miles for F plus 100% for elite bonus (premex/1K). So the miles awarded is very close. Apparently UA awards are much cheaper. On the other hand UA viability is much less certain. And the other advantage of LH membership is lounge access on domestic travel (but may not be useful if no domestic travel).

I am quite sure I can get comped to premex based on QF Plat. Not so sure whether LH would comp me to anything...

So what would you recommend I enroll in?

Once you have FTL status on Miles and More there is 25% bonus when flying LH/LO/OS/UA. Ie F on one of those carriers is 325%.

For more info please see the *Gold Comparison Chart 2005 and also *A Reference Links thread