<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Western Airlines:
The reasons I am considering making AS primary and NW secondary instead of the current vice versa are basically twofold. One, AS partners with QF, which turns out is desirable to the Mrs. </font>
Don't get your hopes up about Mileage Plan and Qantas ...
Alaska's partnership with Qantas is a sad joke. The mileage required for an award ticket on QF between the US and Australia is signficantly higher than, for example, what a Star Alliance award ticket would cost for the same itinerary and class. Also, even if you wanted to spend the miles, award seat availabity is pathetic.
Furthermore, you can't use the form on the Alaska website to request award seats on QF like you can for several other partners. And if you call the Mileage Plan award desk, they'll tell you they can't do much for you concerning QF awards other than give you Qantas' phone number. Then when you call Qantas, you're typically told things such as there's no availability in any class on any of the routes you asked about for a several month period.
There may be good reasons for you to consider Alaska Mileage Plan, but I'd say their supposed relationship with Qantas wouldn't be one.