If we are still talking about F & C... , For a USA based traveller, to beyond Japan Asia. (like singapore, China, etc.) and looking strictly at award miles expense....


Not in F. AA is better hands down.

In C it is a tie. BA is very slightly cheaper in miles, if structured right. However, with BA you have to live near a CX/JL gateway AND you have to stick with only one airline in each direction. With AA you don't have to live near a gateway and you can mix and match airlines at your pleasure. For C, if you live near a gateway BA is better, if not than AA is better b/c no out of pocket r/t to gateway.

In Y, BA is definitely better IF you live near a CX/JL gateway and can stick to the single partner airline. If you don't live near a gateway it would probably be a tie.

And don't forget AA will be flying to China soon on their own metal. Which strangely enough is much better for BA FF'ers than AA's.