I will be taking a trip from JFK to India on AA with some segments on Gulf Air. I am uncertain if I will use Gulf Air again, so I want to know how best to utilize their miles. After looking at their partners, I think the best move would be to open a Virgin Atlantic FF membership, check in with the VA card at the airport. Then, I can either keep the VA miles (not sure if I will ever fly VA again) or I can transfer the VA miles to Hilton Honors points.

Does anyone have any other ideas. Thanks.