If he is only earning on *A using NYC-YTO return trips, it's a little hard to see how he is going to be able to make any really great choice.

If he does this trip once a week for the rest of the year, that won't even get him 30k in miles. He'll be qualifying on segments, so AC's *G at 35k is not really relevant.

There would have to be a real reason to not use AA here. He's already EXP, and they seem to have a decent enough schedule.

Does he really want to make a go of it on *A? He'll need to move some of his other business over to make it worthwhile, IMO.

But if there is any piece of advice to give here: Tell him to get NEXUS!!!!!!