I think that was true up to the point where the US-based programs all devalued and largely put a stop to churners. The game is hard enough if you're only willing to deal with domestic reward programs that I think the vast majority give up chasing aspirational awards.

Anecdotally I've found that things have been getting gradually easier. For example, now that AA has devalued their award program and Citi cards can't be churned so easily, it's a lot easier to find Cathay Pacific awards if you're redeeming through another program like Alaska.