For 2012, I'm thinking about switching from *G to fly OW.

I'm based out of Vancouver and my flight patterns are anticipated to be as follows:

3-4 x Vancouver to NYC in discount economy (currently AC or UA)
1 x Vancouver to Asia in Business (currently SQ through SFO)
3 x Vancouver to SFO or LAX in discount economy (currently AC or UA)
1 x overseas in economy (vacation)

Total: 40K-ish miles a year.

I was previously *G on AC and UA, and found that my upgrade rate was not great since I usually flew through the elite-heavy hubs.

My motivation for switching to OW is so I can fly direct YVR-JFK on CX - with superior lounges and hopefully the occasional upgrade.

Here are my issues...

AA: Since I fly discount economy on CX (YVR-JFK), I won't be able to accrue AA miles, so I don't think I'd reach Platinum level without those miles. I could fly AA more, but I don't really see that as any better than *A options.

QF: I would be OW Sapphire given my flight patterns, but I'd have to go on a serious Status Credit run on Jetstar while in Asia to obtain mandatory my 4 QF flights.

CX: I would only qualify for SL, but that would be enough for lounge access in YVR. Could I use the lounge in JFK as SL? Also, do you think I'd get the occasional upgrade on YVR-JFK? QF and AA also have much more generous bonus miles for elites.

Am I better off sticking with *A?