Here is a challenge for the experts...

I am a hardcore AA flyer, mostly by necessity since they have a near monopoly where I live. For business reasons, my partners and I go to Malta a few times a year.

The best way we have found so far is to book a flight on AA to Europe (usually LHR) and earn those miles and then book an Air Malta flight separately.

Air Malta has a FF program (FlyPass) which is a bit useless. They seem to have an alliance of some sort with Swiss, Lufthansa and CSA.

Anyone have some idea on how to turn those Air Malta miles into AA miles (and perhpas even EQMs?). Tough one, I know.

Here is a specific example: On November 2nd we have booked PLS-MIA-BOS-LHR-IST and returning November 11th MAD-MIA-PLS (for 960$!!!) all on AA. Great!

However, on November 8th we will fly IST-MLA (via Sofia) and on November 10th MLA-MAD (via Frankfurt) for an acceptable 240 euros on Air Malta. However I hate the fact that I am not earning anything on that leg

Suggestions?