I haven’t been able to find a current thread that deals with the issue of multiple emerald memberships. I would be interested in learning what more experienced flyers have considered the pros and cons of multiple emerald?

For my travel patterns, and I would imagine for most North American based flyers, achieving EXP on AA would seem to be the top priority. After reaching EXP during the year last year, it seemed desirable to me to get BA gold for AC access, BA phone priority, etc., and so I did so. As I understand it, QF provides the same AC access and their mileage award benefits might be better, so this year I’d be inclined to aim for QF Platinum rather than BA Gold renewal. I realize after having reached EXP by switching from AA you are giving up the bonus miles offered at that level- so that is a significant cost. Has anyone investigated the incremental benefits of a second emerald, and would QF be better than BA – or maybe CX is better still?