Originally Posted by microcosm

like poster said above, having variety is 100% key at this because they all suck, and shoot their Freq flyer point holders foots at every chance they get, so you need to learn to coordinate your movements. For example, use AP for mini rtw or something similar, then use avios to do relatively short 650mile 7.5k one way avios travel from that location (no fuel surcharge in north and south america). Need availability which Aeroplan doesnt really offer, but at reasonable redemptions for longer distance which avios isnt good for? Then use one of the american FFP's like delta which MR convert at 0.75:1 but worth every point if you need to make that trip. Even then if you dont want to be limited, you can still transfer to one of the programs to open up more options/better redemption e.g. to delta then to SPG at 1:1 instead of direct route of MR-SPG at 0.5:1