Having done no deep analysis I intuitively turn to AC since I usually make 1 or 2 revenue trips to the US per year in Y and find them the best for comfort, enjoy lounge in CA while transiting, like doing US immigration in CA, etc. And they have reasoably low requirements for *G.

Status is probably more important to me than rewards. I travel infrequently enough to not easily get premium tier on most programmes, but often enough to appreciate getting shower and breakfast in lounge at 5am, pre-booking seats that I like, glass of wine on the return, *G check-in, etc.

As a family of 4 it is pretty hard to get the points to a level where we can all head off and enjoy something in C. It's hardly worth redeeming in Y. Currently sitting on 300k DC destination miles after 6 years of collecting from flying, credit cards, Hilton, etc. May do a 'tactical' burn on some Euro C flights.

I'll try and work out a way of comparing earn/burn on programme XX if you typically fly on YY that takes into account the various fare bucket awards...

Although LHR based (only 25 mins away for a 6am departure ) I've always assummed that the BA programme would not work very well for me, but I'll do a retrospective on where it would have got me this year in status, and the value of miles for redemption.