I am finding it hard to earn status with any specific program because my travel is not focused on one geographical area: I live in hotels and travel between countries.
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Most value from my points, spend points instead of cash
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My current thinking is that oneworld is the right program for me because it has members globally, but I am not sure if it's possible to earn status given the geographical distribution of my flights. I've tried to focus on oneworld by booking partner flights through British Airways to earn oneworld status, but partner flights don't seem to be available much, so I end up going with the partner carriers directly and I'm now half way to entry level status with a few different oneworld members.
You do not need to be in one geographical area to get status. Depending on the detailed rules, as above, you can earn status on partner airlines.
Avios is used as the frequent flyer currency by QR, BA, IB, IE and from a few weeks ago AY. Subject to rules avios, but not status, can be moved at nil cost between QR, BA, IB & IE. Have you done that?
Some airlines have "own flights" rules for status. With BA (and QR?) that is 2/4 flights. Check BA web site/BA forum for the detailed rules.
Your statement "
focus on oneworld by booking partner flights through British Airways to earn oneworld status. You do not need to "
book through" [what ever that means] any 1 airline. Just enter
your ffn in any reservation that is a partner. You do not earn "OW staus". You earn status with 1 ffp, and that is recognised by other OW airlines.
You seem to have a low understanding of how alliances ~ ff partners work. What ffp's are you a member of now?