Just some responses to comments posted earlier:
- I spend a couple of weeks in the States each year and actually do often end up flying AA whilst I'm there so the 4 segment rule isn't an issue;
- I don't really care for the upgrades (status or sticker) coz I'm not getting them at CX anyway!
- I could easily fly enough to get AA Plat
- Don't really care about CX lounge access in HK (can use plaza premium for free anyway)
Back in the days when I was DM and flying weekly, I often got upgraded or used miles for long haul F and the cabin was always half full of AA redeemers and I always envied how little AA miles it took to get CX F compared to my hard earned Asiamiles (or the fact in recent years AA redemption didn't have the same level oil surcharges/taxes that CX tacked onto awards).