JFK-MCO is not many miles, but still worth having an active OW freq flyer program
Hard to recomend QF when starting from zero. QF has YQ surcharges on awards where as AA does not, except on BA/IB. QF earn to burn is poor compared to AA. When the AA & US Airways ffp merge would expect some changes. Changes to FFP's hardly ever benefit freq flyers. BA is OK for short haul (Asia) awards. Alaska is a good FFP, with a wide range on partners, but not CX, QR or JL.
http://www.alaskaair.com/content/mil...ePlan-partners
Be carefull of miles expiry as links in post 1