Nobody replied to my question so ill repost. I guest what I'm asking is for someone to confirm that my analysis below is unfortunately correct and that nothing else comes close to DC in terms of low mileage needed for redemption:
So you have to spend £50,000 on a SPG Amex to get a TATL return in C on off-peak US Air flights only, whereas with the BMI plus Amex, you could spend £18,750(to get 37,500 DC miles) and get a return TATL on any *A alliance airline, with free stopovers both way - allbeit with higher taxes and the cash+miles price.
Doesn't really seem comparable does it? Or am I missing something?
Is there nothing better?