you can redeem membership rewards from amex plat and cent for E0 tickets. they will have JFK/EWR-STN-DXB in july. providing a 3rd flatbed option in addition to VS (also possible via membership rewards) and BA. value is pretty great too.

VS has their own terminal now at LHR too.

so maybe use BA for stuff like new CX J (maybe stopover in Asia on the way to DXB) instead of BA.

(Asia and South America are 2 of the best places where the dollar is strong)

id definitely suggest getting a starwood card, considering theyre basically free, and would also suggest considering starwood hotels first when choosing between chains with frequent guest programs.

marriott is the only frequent guest program that comes anywhere near starwood in terms of earning miles from stays.

see the amex forum and perhaps luxury hotels as well for more information on plat benefits like FHR. there is also the new domestic companion ticket program. (said to be best one so far, even with its weaknesses)

-upgrade to amex plat
-E0/VS to DXB
-get starwood amex

~consider using BA for new CX J (flatbed)
~consider starwood hotels

one other thing with starwood hotels, there are quite a few that are FHR. also the most options in terms of redeeming awards at luxury properties. although marriott also has ritz carlton awards.