The thing is; some programs are going to be easier to gain status with, but then we have to ask ourselves - is it worth crediting to a program whose airline we would rarely fly on? Almost all airlines treat their own members better than equivalent levels from other alliance partners; that's why the general consensus is to credit to the airline you actually fly on the most, even if the program might be slightly more challenging to earn status with.
I agree with you to a degree.
As I live in Amsterdam, it makes sense for me to fly Skyteam airlines. But *A airlines tend to offer the cheapest ticket fares from AMS.
oneworld, in general (AY to BKK tends to be cheapest from AMS), seems to offer the most expensive ticket fares and many through LHR, which I understand from many FT comments is hardly ideal.
For Skyteam, I choose to strive for FBPfL. For *A and
ow, I choose to strive for the highest alliance tiers with the FFP's that make it the easiest to (re-)qualify. At the moment for me, those are TK M&SE (*AG) and RJ RCPH (
owe). Both offer easy access with a status match/challenge, 2 year validity and - barring T&C changes - helpful strategies for (re-)qualification.
To me, the redemption options are great for US members of FFP's which offer mileage earning through credit cards sign-up bonuses and spend. For us in the EU, it is not so great, because we don't have those amazing options, while FFP's seem to devalue their redemptions maybe based on those 'easy to earn' credit cards miles. So, I tend to focus on earning and maintaining status and just book low priced short haul (award) tickets in Y and enjoy the status perks.