Originally Posted by
DrSavant
my objective (outside of lounge access) is occasional - redemptions. As an example, I was looking at an astoundingly expensive flights for a one day trip to AUH, last week - redeemed some dead weight TK mileage, paid less than $800 in taxes, and had a normal journey in J, all the way.
Flying pattern is per the original post. Have been going to DAC, nearly every month, primarily transiting through DOH (hence the stack of QR passes). Otherwise, going to the US tomorrow, have to go to RBA and CMN in a couple of weeks, as well as a separate trip to CDG next week. For sure will find myself in DAC 2-3 times more this year, for sure will go to places like PAP and PLS 3-4 times this year (I have a direct flight on AC, so this one doesn't count), will go to ABV once or twice, and then could be a bunch of other, unpredictable destinations.
The conundrum you face is that you need status in a foreign FFP to get lounge access when flying within North America, but AA miles are better for many redemptions. For example, EY is an AA partner, but not a BA/IB partner; and AA does not collect carrier surcharges on redemptions,
except when redeeming on BA/IB.
If your travels typically involve hotel stays and/or car rentals, maybe credit those to AA for the redeemable miles, and credit flights to BA or IB to attain status.