Originally Posted by
achow
I am new to OW. Based at YYZ and usually *A and got CX diamond from Amex. I do occasional AA or BA flight <10k a year. I want to use points for long distance flight to Asia or short haul in US, which is the best program (CX, BA or AA) to credit my occasional flight?(I can top up from SPG or MR transfer)
AA is unquestionably better long haul to Asia. Flying short haul to the U.S. is better on BA if you fly non-stop or are flying two short flights. For instance, YYZ-ORD and YYZ-JFK are only 4500 Avios each way. With connections things start to add up as you have to pay for each segment on BA--YYZ-ORD-XXX (w/i 649 miles) will run you 9000 Avios each way.
With only ~10K miles/year I would probably pick BA and use it for my SH flying. Picking AA for a long haul award you might be booking 5+ years in the future (or more for business class) seems pretty speculative in the fast changing world of airline FF programs.