Originally Posted by tom911

I do award travel to Asia/Australia on Cathay, Qantas or JAL, so I'm less impacted compared to those on paid travel in that direction. If you're doing paid travel clearly you can't use AA systemwides on those unless you route from other airports on AA metal (NRT, PVG, PEK). You do need to watch for fare basis on partners (some Cathay coach fares accrue zero miles and some Qantas coach fares 50%--workaround is the higher priced AA codeshare that will accrue full miles). Their program may not be for everyone and you do need to do your homework. EXP flyers (One World Emerald) do get first class lounge access on international travel so that might make up for some of the negatives. The F lounges with table service in SYD and HKG are pretty nice. No table service in the BA F lounge at SFO, though.

There is no E+. If you're EXP (1K equivalent), though, you're probably not going to be in coach very often. I track my numbers and I'm at 90% this year and have been over 95% every one of the prior six years. Helps not to have 8 and 12 seat F cabins. Add in that I'm 100% on systemwides for 10 years.

I get by fine with AA, but I do recognize they're not for everyone. If you're an SFO-based business traveler I can see lack of nonstops being a deal breaker for some.