Originally Posted by
pinniped
AS is another option. Better CX availability, looser rules overall, and slightly lower redemption rates for most partners/routes. (Exception is EK, which prices higher than what you'd need to redeem EY on AA.)
AS is a better option and with much better award availability overall...though still not great availability for CX F. and never for more than 1 award seat on CX F.
Surprisingly, EK F availability with AS miles is now pretty good since they devalued those awards. I got us LAX-DXB-DEL round trip in EK F for our India trip this past Jan/Feb at the pre-devalued 90K per person per OW.