I posted this message on the American Airlines board, and it was suggested I should try here also - so here goes.....

I'm new to this game so looking for any advice that the collective flyertalk brains can muster.

A friend is holding a bachelor party in Prague on the weekend of April 5-7. I have plenty of vacation and am looking to do a run (I'm determined to make AA EXP this year) around this trip (leaving from ORD). I am happy to arrive in Prague early, (or leave later than the weekend) and prepared to go almost anywhere in pursuit of AA miles.

I've tried a few itineraries on aa.com, but the moment I deviate from direct flights to LHR, the prices rocket. Prague only seems to be served by BA (from an AA mile collection point of view), so it looks like LHR is my only option.

Any advice is gratefully received.