Originally Posted by bhomburg

If you are sure to have at least one annual US trip in your plans for the foreseeable future (to satisfy the four-segments-on-AA-minimum metal requirements), AAdvantage currently is arguably the most generous program out there.
With a few longhaul J flights annually, you should not have a problem quailfying for mid-tier sapphire status which will give better benefits than LH FTL - namely alliance-wide business-class lounge access (comparable to Star Alliance Gold and way better than the limited LH group lounges open for FTLs), extra baggage allowance and free advance seat selection/free premium seats on a number of oneworld carriers (AA, BA, QF...).
If you don't know if you can satisfy the minimum metal requirement, check one post above and look into BAEC or CX's program.
Coming from Miles and More, you won't be too shocked at the cash surcharges BA imposes on long-haul redemptions . BAECs redemptions are distance-based and the sweet spot is with shorthaul awards.

I did the switch from LH to AA back in 2009 and haven't looked back since.