Hi All -

Not that well versed in the Qantas FF program so looking for some advice. My girlfriend is in the middle of a huge around the pacific trip (South Amer, North America, Australia and return same way). While she used to live in Oz, she now lives in Santiago, Chile and we are deciding between adding them to her existing Qantas account, or start accumulating AAmiles for her.

I have a ton of AA points, but I am not well versed in the Qantas program and it seems rather confusing compared to the AA one (especially with regard to elite status). Anyhow, here is a brief rundown of the facts and some questions. Any advice, tips, suggestions are appreciated:

Facts:
1. She is a current member of Qantas FF (currently 56k points); Bronze level (Needs 300 status points for Silver level by Nov, 2012).
2. Nov 24, 2011: she flew Santiago, Chile-LAX-Perth, Australia all on a combination of American, LAN, and Qantas.
3. March 5, 2012: Will be returning PER-LAX-SCL (on Qantas & LAN)
4. This is all 1-ticket purchased on AA.com ("E'' class).
5. Total flight miles for all travel will be 28,000 (unfortunately it is 14k in 2011; 14k in 2012).
6. AAdvantage opened up for her only last week as I was informed she has to declare a program within 30 days of travel (apparently the 1-year grace period for AA only counts if u have an account open BEFORE travel begins.)
7. If we go with American points, we will need to declare by Dec 24.
8. Her Qantas status credits expired Nov 30, so not even sure if first leg of travel will earn her credits since taken prior to her anniversary date.


So my question is:
1. What is more valuable, adding the 28k points to her exisiting 55k Qantas points or putting them into a newly created AAdvantage account?
2. Will either one give her elite status given the miles are earned in 2 calendar and/or status years?
3. She might do 1-2 more flights from Chile to the US mid-2012, but not certain if its for sure, and what time of year that will be.
4. For flights on each carrier / one-world partners, is one program easier to use for seats than the other.

Thanks a bunch in advance. if I missed anything critical or if you need any other info let me know.

Blasky