I've escaped the APD upgrade/luxury fee out of LHR in the past by "linking" a paid ticket to an award when booking at AA.com - SEA-ORD-LHR (paid) (<24 hour connection) LHR-NBO (AA award on BA) and return. The tariff desk at AA was able to exclude the APD on the LHR-NBO and LHR-ORD due to the connection.

I want to do something different and would like some advice.

1. Purchase paid RT from AA SEA-ORD-LHR on AA connecting to:

2. One way award First from my BA miles LHR-NBO

3. One way award First from my AA miles NBO-LHR

I only have 108,000 BA miles (and don't accrue on BA any more) and thus the attempt to split the awards.

The booking page shows Air Passenger Duty - United Kingdom USD245.86 LHR-NBO. I don't think AA will be a problem not charging the APD LHR-ORD but can BA see my AA flights and not charge the APD due to a connection?

Thanks