"Special Added Bonus Round: I'm an AA AAdvantage member (but not BA), will I get AA f-f miles for the LHR-BCN-LHR legs? I'm already bummed at not getting the 10,000 miles for the LAX-LHR-LAX legs, but AA's flights to/from LHR were too close for comfort to BA's to/from BCN (1 hour layover one way, 50 minutes the other)."

You can get AA ff miles for LHR-BCN-LHR. It is only transatlantic routes where there no miles can be earned.

For the amount extra that you mention, I would go for the Club Europe ticket; more legroom, wider seat, better service and you can use the lounges at Heathrow and Barcelona, plus use the business check in at BCN on the way back.

You also get a few more miles since it is business class rather than economy ( business miles = 712 + 25% bonus = 890 each way rather than the 712 (until june 30) or 500 (from july) that economy would earn. Not a great deal extra I grant you, but a few

Dave