Hey everyone,

I've been reading the board for 3 months and have managed to get the Citi AA 75,000 deal (currently have 80,000 or so miles) and the CO 50,000 deal. So, first off, I thank all of you for helping me out!!!!!!

This will be my first time booking as a "travel hacker". I fly from PHL and need to go to LAX (taking my girlfriend with me) in October. If I book now, I can take advantage of the AA 30th anniversary deal for lower mileage spent for booking. I am also planning on taking her to Spain for her 40th b-day some time in 2012. Should I save the miles for the trans-atlantic trip, or should I take advantage now, knowing that there will be mileage deals/CC sign-up miles in the future? If I use miles to book the trip, will I accrue FF miles with AA. Will she? If so, can she transfer her miles to my acct?

I'm new, and I don't want to screw this up. I have tried to read everything before asking these questions, but I have not seen anyone in my predicament.

Thanks for the help!!