I personally don't care about AC MM.

I pay to fly in business class, not looking for upgrade on a Tango Plus ticket. When it's free, take whatever is provided and not be a "choosy beggar".

CX does not have free upgrade. That may be one of the reason why they are able to preserve the quality of that premium cabin.

While AC boasts itself as the best North American airlines by Skytrax, the same organization also rated CX as #4 best and TK #9 best in the world.

CX is voted the best transpacific airline and its $700 cheaper than the 3-star rated AC. How did AC justified the premium? CX is non-stop too. Additionally, CX will throw in a pair of HKG-PVG, or HKG-TPE, or HKG-PEK in business class for free when you book YYZ-HKG in business.

If the price is comparable, I'd gladly fly AC. The other airlines require an intermediary connection and are not as convenient, but this is reflected in the cheaper price ($1,200 cheaper on TK but gets full *A Status Miles and COS and $3,100 cheaper on BR but no daily flight and no *A Status Miles). Both AC and CX are direct non-stop service. One is rated better than the other. I find it difficult to justify the large premium (>10%) demanded by AC since I am not looking to play Aerolotto.