Just applied for the 100,000 mile BA Visa card, now what to do with the miles!?

Have a couple of trips to Europe planned in the next year. Looks like one trip (for myself and my spouse) will use up all 100,000 miles. Don't want to start using BA in any permanent way as I'm hoping for AA Plat for life someday.

Since I only have Gold status on AA it seems I won't qualify for better seats or any cabin upgrade on BA metal. But if I fly on AA metal can I preselect my exit row seats?

Also not crazy about paying the YQ fees, is there any place that I can fly from DFW (on BA or AA) to avoid that? Or is it possible to book on another OW airline and avoid the YQ fees?

Sorry if this is a newbie question (feel free to move it). I couldn't figure out these answers by using search. After over 25 years as an Aadvantage member I've never looked into another airline's program.