Originally Posted by
lobstahpotts
If you don't value CCR enough to push for 5kTP then your BA-AS option may make sense. I would also seriously consider crediting your BA flights to AA, though. You'll be earning 125% miles (and 150% EQMs) flown on business class fares and will easily meet the EQD requirements for Executive Platinum based on that mileage of business class flying. You'll then receive SWUs and complementary upgrades when flying in the US, as well as status perks on AA and AS. AS has higher earning on certain business class fare codes, but also isn't an alliance member and it wouldn't offer you any status perks on BA, KLM, or AF. You miss out on the 2.5k and 3.5k BA bonuses, but you would anyway if you were crediting to AS after 1.5k. The only real downside to this strategy is no AA lounge access on domestic AA flights, but it doesn't sound like that would be an issue for you.
Well, I have to say AA looks tempting considering their elite programme seems to be focused on EQDs now - for my specific flying scenario this is actually quite good because I may be nowhere near hitting 120 segments yearly but "luckily" all my meeting schedules are usually confirmed just few days upfront which results in business-flex rates and typical ticket price around 4k$ each. If I understand AAdvantage T&Cs correctly it means 4000x5 EQMs per ticket flown in the beginning and eventually 4000x11 EQMs as soon as I reach EXP. If this calculation is more-or-less correct then crediting to AA may be quite sensible...
By the way, I checked that although all my WAW-LHR-ATL flights are operated by BA I could actually buy them on the AA stock with AA flight numbers as well. The price is very similar. Does in make any difference considering AA earning scheme? I mean, is it "better" to book tickets with AA-marketed segments if I am going to credit them to AA or it does not matter at all since they are operated by BA anyway?