I'm not 100% sure on the 2500 miles requirement. My girlfriend called AA and asked about earning miles and they told her she needed 2500 before she could earn AA miles on Qantas flights. I didn't really look into the matter to be honest.

I will probably have 20000 miles when I get back to the US. Sadly, I live in Cincinnati, Ohio (Delta hub) and go to school in Durham, NC (RDU). American services RDU, but I would have to go through Chicago to get to Cincinnati. It would probably eat a lot of miles. Maybe I will give them as a gift to someone.