Are international Courtyards & Fairfields better then USA ones? Yes, to answer simply.
In my opinion I wouldn't rank a FF below a holiday inn express... they're about equivalent.

Don't be expecting much for upgrades as a Plat though. Even as Titanium I rarely see a 'suite' in a FF or CY unless the property isn't busy and has open/available rooms. Better chances of the front desk providing upgrades in Asia than in the US. Strangely enough I've seen upgrades as FFs much more often to a larger studio 'suite' room than to a larger/studio/suite at a CY. Outside the US, CYs are much nicer especially since almost all of them in the US dumped their restaurants for the Bistro lobby lounge concept, which is nothing more than an expensive coffee shop with limited/crappy and easy to prepare food.