For theses trips you need to decide
- what cities you absolutely want to go to
- what cities you would visit if possible
- what cities / airports you would transit to get more miles

- Also getting to an adjacent city and then going by train or separate air fare to your destination can be worth while (Europe is small)
- Close land segments like SFO- SLC are best avoided to maximise mileage
- Be very aware of taxes and fuel surcharges
- Flying codeshares can be beneficial to mileage - status e.g AA flight number on BA CX aircraft

AA freq flyer programe is calender year. Not based on the month you join like Qantas. AA challanges start January or June IIRC