Best *A miles program to access OZ, NH F/C?
 

Now that United has gutted its program, and US has left *A, what's the next best way to access long-haul premium cabins (especially F) on OZ and NH?

I know NH you can do via credit card transfers to their own program, though not sure if that's the best bet to do long-haul flights given distance awards.

OZ, doesn't seem to be a transfer partner for anyone except SPG and not sure if their own miles are best for redemption.

Is it Aeroplan? LifeMiles? TK Miles & Smiles? Or some other miles? Just need a nudge to know where to spend time researching. Thanks!

Best *A miles program to access OZ, NH F/C?
 

First, I think, aeroplan. Have good availability, one way and many partners. TK rate good, but I not sure, how they plan work with star alliance flights after changes in their program. And cheapest is lifemiles, but need to check availability of OZ and NH on LM booking system. My choice is aeroplan.

Even after the devaluation, I'd still say UA, unless you like paying ridiculous fuel surcharges on other FF redemptions.

Best *A miles program to access OZ, NH F/C?
 

Life miles if you don't want to mix classes...

Fuel surcharges can be brutal on both NH and AC. Points Guy did a comparison: post-devaluation-aeroplan-strategy-awards-transfer-partners-star-alliance-comparison/. On the whole, I think MP is still better than both. LM is the wild-card. It's a quirky program but has some real strengths if you can deal with the challenges.

Hmm... ok so it sounds like there isn't really one program, but if we have access to the miles or transfer partners, need to look at a bunch to see for a particular redemption: Aeroplan, LM, UA, NH...

I used to feel pre-deval that UA was the FFP to rule them all, it really is a shame they decided to change that calculus and thus make it hard for me to choose UA.

Is UA still your primary/easiest/makes most sense to book on airline? Does the math work out to earn 25-50% miles if you are flying on UA but crediting to another FF program?