Hi, sorry I know there are a million threads on this, but it's rather confusing for each persons individual situation. (I've read a ton of these threads.)

I'm from the UK but now living in Canada (van), I still fly home 2-3 times per year (typically via DFW) as well as trips fairly often around north america. I'll be flying OW (AA, US, Alaska AA marketed, AA don't really fly from van/sea much) typically. I'm wondering what program you think would be best for me? I fly back to the UK with BA and I hear great things about their upgrades, however taxes are apparently high.

I'm currently a AA Plat (challenged) and typically fly premium economy back to the UK and economy around the US, however come January I'll be flying even more internationally including Australia and possibly Japan.

I should be AA Plat / BAEC Silver quite comfortably every year, possibly will be close to EXPlat as it requires 1 less round trip to the uk per year than BAEC Gold.

Which FF program do you think will be best for me? Lounge access isn't a huge deal on domestic fights, and out of van their arent that many AA flights so upgrades aren't hugely important (though I connect via DFW quite a bit)

Also, probably a stupid question, but if I fly premium econ and use miles to upgrade to business on BA do I still acquire miles (at the prem econ level or at all)? If so my trip is usually 12914 miles earned, AA offer PE to Business upgrade for 12,500 with BA.

Thank you!