Relocating to Sydney from US: which frequent flyer program is best for me?

Hi, Thanks a lot in advance for the advice!

I'll be relocating to Sydney from New York in few months for my work assignment. I'll be definitely staying at Australia for the next 3-5 years.

Can I get an advice for which FF programs to rack up my miles from my future trips?

I'll be traveling to US (New York) at least once a year and may be APAC (HK, Tokyo and Seoul) few times as well for work.

During my stay in AU, my plan is to explore Asia as much as I can with my family for vacation.

I don't have any status from any airline network now. Just have 200K miles with ANA and ~200K miles with Alaska Airline (Excellent redemption value with many transfer partners).

With my travel needs for both work and fun, could you advise me what FF program should I put my future miles to in terms of perks, choice and redemption value?

Any advice will be highly appreciated!

Don't switch to any Australian program - they all have huge taxes and fees and the amount of points required for redemption bookings is often 50% more than in the US.

It depends on which airline you'll be flying with for those trips.

If you’re chasing status I would recommend joining Qantas’ FF scheme (tho I’d suggest utilising Alaska to make award bookings to avoid the costs mentioned above). Status credits are easy to come by, particularly on the routes you mentioned - and when you make trips back stateside having OW Sapphire/Emerald status is a godsend for lounge access with AA.

Nobody has mentioned the class of travel you're choosing... With the few trips you are doing, you will probably not make Gold with Qantas if you travel in Premium Economy or below. However, given that Virgin has a great family pooling option and lower status requirements, you will probably make Virgin Gold, giving you lounge access and other benefits on Singapore Airlines, Delta, Hong Kong Airlines, Etihad and a few others.

If you're already with American Airlines, keep it - a one way flight between any two cities in Australia (including Brisbane - Perth, a flight of 6 hours) only costs 10,000 miles one way for Economy or 20,000 for Business Class. No Aussie FF programme can match that.

Keep AA membership, accrue any Qantas flights to it in pursuit on OW status and with your resident / citizen status you are the envy of many Australians, in that you can operate US credit cards and avail yourself of the sign up bonuses / bonus offers etc.

Put into your possible Air NZ booking, your ANA FF# if you do want to go and see NZ, esp the Southern Alps, I saw them several times flying Au - NZ, amazing for a person who has never seen snow capped mountains before!

+1 for AA. You'll earn on Qantas in Australia and Qantas/Cathay Pacific in Asia. As someone else mentioned, AA redemptions are very good value in Australia (including Australia-New Zealand). If you request a Platinum Challenge with AA, you should achieve Plat one-way from NY to Sydney. (Did this is the opposite direction 10 years ago). AA Plat is Oneworld Sapphire which will give you free access to all Qantas lounges in Australia and Cathay Pacific lounges in Asia.

Was very interested to hear everyone's answers as I'm somewhat in this boat as well. I'm approaching Gold Status with United (which puts me at Gold for Star Alliance too). Will definitely be holding on to both of my credit cards that earn United/SA Miles. Signed up for a Platinum Amex here to transfer to Emirates for other flights & everyday spend. Not impressed by Qantas or Virgin's loyalty schemes in the slightest.