My Wife and I are flying to Australia (from the Newark) this summer via United(Business Class thanks largely to this forum that explained how to utilize Amtrak to get miles out of Continental and a great link to a UAL card that got us 20K miles each eventually another 10K for $50 when we upgraded our cards and 2K when we took the insurance (AND CANCELLED IT WITHIN 30 DAYS). Thus for $100 we managed a total of 54K miles which paid for almost 1/2 our upgrade (which was worth about $6,200 if you purchased a business class ticket) The way I look at it $3,000 for $200 is a pretty good deal! (Maybe not that good because we were forced to pay about 2 grand per ticket (but then again we do get the miles back (i.e. 20.000 each which is almost a domestic flight which is worth to us about $300)...anyway enough with that rant

Given that I am a greedy person, here is my new dilema. I am going to be flying a bit in Australia (Sydney-Perth-Sydney-Cairnes-Sydney) and I imagine I am going to accumulate a few miles doing so. I have little use for Quantas miles, however if there is a way I can get them into either Continental or United, this would be a nice little bonus.

Here are some more facts
I booked on-line using one of those redfair specials (wondering if the low fair will preclude me from earning full miles in the first place)

Here is what I know:American Airlines appears to have a relationship with Quantas where you can fly domestically in Australia and earn miles for AA. I am not sure however if AA has to book the flight for you or you can just show them a receipt of your travel on Quantas.

Here's What I want to do.
Ideally I would love to take my miles (I estimate about 5-6k for my wife and I) transfer them to AA, then to Amtrak, then to Continental, with their final resting place being either in CAL (5K-6K each total of (10-12K) or Hilton (10-12K each total 20-24K). The way I look at it 24K buys you a night at a decent Hilton.

This is a bunch of stuff and may not be worth if for so few miles, but then again a night in a hotel in San Fran is about $200.00 and I don't earn enough money to throw that away without asking.