The newbie that I am, cannot resist asking the following questions about redemption of FF miles.

Since I like to do things myself, I prefer to know where to find the rules regarding the following?
Can I redeem miles to any destination on an airline and it associated partners in any way I like?
Specifically are only certain airlines allowed to certain destinations even though partners do fly to that destination?- Where can I find rules regarding this?

Seems very simple and broad question at first sight. But let me given an example (I think this can be applied to any destination or airline).

Am planning on the following trip from ORD to HYD (India) sometime early next year. I am assuming, for the sake of simplicity, that awards tickets are available. I do not mind either economy or business. I got just enough miles for a business class (just about 140K each on both DL Skymiles and United MP). Though I do not have a carrier preference, I am leaning to spend my Skymiles first.


1. Does either airlines allow eastward or westward for this trip?
2. Normally delta gives eastward travel from what I understand. Is westward travel permitted through LAX or SFO? And if so do I have to spend more miles if I fly in westward direction to India using airlines like Malayasian, singapore or China or Korean airlines (flying to BOM and then to HYD)?
3. Similarly on United? Can I fly westward on Asiana or Thai or Singapore to BOM or HYD? Any extra mileage I need to spend?
4. Except Malayasian and Singapore all other delta partners do not fly directly to HYD. They fly to either BOM or BLR or DEL. Is domestic travel to HYD allowed on Jet or Kingfisher airways from BOM as part of this itinerary redeemed with miles?
5. Similarly on United? Can I fly Thai or Singapore airlines to HYD using mileage plus ticket? Can I use Jet airways for a domestic ticket within India using mileage plus miles (nothing mentioned on United's website)?
6. Based on Delta's website, travel to India on Singapore airlines is not mentioned (in partner airline awards)? Anybody knows if this is allowed?
7. Lets say I want to fly emirates redeeming Mileage plus miles. Based on united's website for an economy ticket (ORD-DXB-HYD) it seems I need 130,000 miles. Did I got this right? Is this even allowed? I see no information for Qatar airways that allow me to calculate the mileage I will need for the same trip (ORD-DOH-HYD)?
8. Stopovers: If I want to take a stop over lets says in DXB or DOH, will it be allowed on one of the above itins?
9. Is it possible to make this a round the world trip? For example ORD-(can be direct or layover in europe to)-DOH-HYD-SIN-LAX-ORD with stop overs in doha and HYD on United's partners? Does it cost extra miles? Or another example on Delta ORD-LAX-KUL-HYD-BOM-CDG-ORD?

I thank you very much for any answers to the above questions. Also, am mainly looking to know where and how you got the information (for each question)? I took an expertflyer trial subscription to find the above info but it is daunting with no good results so far (have not used KVStool yet). I like to learn fishing rather than just eat fish someone gave me and so if you can share info as to how you got the answer with an example it will be very greatly appreciated;I think that helps others who are just starting to tread this path. Thanks.

To Mods: Since this pertains to redeeming miles in general rather than one airline or destination, I thought this is the forum to place. But if there is another more apporpriate place for this thread, please move it.