Hello everyone. New guy here. I recently opened a chase sapphire preferred card to get started in this whole travel points thing. After doing some research on how to accumulate, use, transfer, etc., I have decided my goal is a first class trip to Japan on JAL. I was inspired by this article:

http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/how-...iles-and-5-60/

So, my question is, how can I apply my UA's to this? First class with avios is crazy high (united is only 35k for economy, but I would like first class which is also high). If I understand the article correctly, he used AA miles. However, I read that avios can be used to book on partner flights like AA. So if I called AA, could I use my avios on a JAL flight? I also intend to register my card with AA dining rewards to try to build more miles. Any help would be great.