All,
I have received an offer to open USAirways credit card(Barclays) which should give me 40k miles + 5k miles for redeeming miles.
USAirways also has 100 % bonus for buying miles currently.I was thinking of buying enough to get me to 80K.(Is this a sound strategy?)

I was looking at their award redemption chart and * alliance redemption chart.

Here are my questions:

1) USAirways doesn't fly to where i plan to fly(DTW-BOM) so their website doesn't even allow to search for flights.So how to book a flight? I know i can call the call center to book for $40.Is this the only way and is it hard to redeem(by calling) to destinations where USAir doesn't fly ?

2) Is it always 80K(economy) for roundtrip as shown on partner redemption chart OR do they have different redemption rates depending on the date of travel ?

http://www.usairways.com/pv_obj_cach...wardtravel.pdf

3) This might be a stupid question but there are rumors of merger with AA.Does that mean US Air will be out of * alliance ?

I am new to miles and any advice is highly appreciated.Sorry for the long winded post.