I got that same "no connect in LIM" nonsense from an AAgent a couple of weeks ago when trying to change a SAAver award from DEN-MIA(AA)-SCL-MVD(LA) to DEN-LAX(AAEagle)-LAX-LIM-SCL-MVD.

If LA601 LAX-SCL with a fuel/pax/cargo stop in LIM had been available both legs they could do it, but because LA didn't have LIM-SCL avail on LA601 I would have to be on a LA flight (maybe op Lan Peru LP) an hour later, it was more miles and two awards. Idiotic rule if true.

If the AAgent can find availability on LA601 through from LAX-SCL, it should be ok because the stop in LIM is on the same flight#. Coming mostly from *A programs in the past and some ST programs, this rule made zero sense whatsoever to me. I've redeemed all kinds of UA, CO, DL awards that had connections with other airlines on the way - they were treated as connections and not as a stopover in another zone. AA policy is stupid, but if that's their policy, and it sounds like it is from your and my recent datapoints, that's what we have to live with on using AA miles. This trip burns the LAAst of mine so I don't care going forward.

Whatever you do, try to minimize actually flying longhaul coach on AAwful Airlines. LAN is a much better ride, free bags, decent food, free booze, good IFE, polite respectful service, all the things that AA is not.

If BA can see the seats, then those are the availability that LA is exposing to its oneworld partners. LA/BA don't have any special relationship beyond being OW parnters (e.g. no joint venture) so it shouldn't be coming from any special inventory. AA should be able to see the same space, though you may have to ask the agent to search segment-by-segment; AA's own system might not be presenting those routing to the agent automatically. I will compliment AA in saying that whenever I've called on an AA international award, the agents have been excellent about doing this.