I too have had problems trying to get AA flights via US ff miles to Hawaii. My last trip ended up going RDU->DFW->LAX->HNL with the last segment on Hawaiian Air. This was after dozens of callbacks. I've had problems getting any US ff during summer to Europe, but DL ff came through for Rome for next week. However US was able to get me ff 1st class rt to Cayman Islands for the exact Oct. days I specified. I agree it is important to have multiple airlines to choose from or you may not go. Advance ff booking doesn't work like it used to.