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"You can do better by not booking BA metal, and not flying in or out of the UK."
Flying into the UK on AAdvantage miles is not expensive, as long as one can avoid BA metal. Flying long-haul out of the UK is expensive, and even more expensive if on BA metal.
For short-haul travel out of the UK on BA metal, redeeming BA Avios for a Reward Flight Saver can provide decent value.