Originally Posted by guv1976

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)

If you are willing to travel in Coach (at least in one direction), I would use UA miles one way (in Coach or Business), and AA miles the other way (in Coach). For travel after October 14, AA charges only 20K one way between Europe and North America. The following AA partners offer direct service between LAX and Europe: AB (seasonal service to/from DUS); IB (to/from MAD and BCN); and TN (to/from CDG). Of course, both AA and BA fly LAX-LHR, but flights on BA metal have hefty fuel surcharges.

AA partner Niki is based in VIE, and may offer connecting award service to/from some of the aforementioned cities. You can check the Wikipedia article for VIE airport to see where Niki flies. Depending on the fuel surcharges, you might want to use BA Avios for flights on Niki that are not included in your AA TATL award.

And if you are able to get a nonstop flight from somewhere in Europe to LAX with your AA miles, don't forget about AA's North American "gateway" stopover option on international awards. You might be able to add on a free one-way to Hawaii at a subsequent date if you exercise the option when booking the award.