The AAdvantage advantage:

1) All miles count twords lifetime status.
2) You can upgade any published fare, worldwide, with miles (or if you make EXP with VIP04's)
3) If you concentrate all your travel on AA, you should hit EXP and get free domestic upgrades.
4) OneWorld alliance (BA, Cathay, Quantas, Lan Chile, Aer Lingus, Finnair, Iberia) plus 13 other air partners including Hawaiian.
5) In 8 years I've cashed in over 2 million miles and have only been denied standard awards during peak holiday travel time.
6) no danger of going bankrupt any time soon.

Flipside