You certainly can fly from LAX to Rome. In coach it is:
40k plan-ahead off peak
60k plan-ahead peak
100k anytime
For all the details look in aa.com in the AAdvantage, Program Details section. (I tried to post a link to it but I'm in an internet cafe in Bangkok and the type is so small on this monitor I can barely read it. I didn't use aa miles to get here but I DID use them to upgrade most of the way!)
By they way, you're pretty ambitious for a newbie!
[This message has been edited by stephlac (edited 08-25-2003).]