Hi. I don't know much about FF and *A in particular but I'm willing to learn. Here's one basic question: suppose that I have a MP account and I fly with another *A airline. Do I have to request the miles to go into MP? Will miles go ONLY to MP and not to the airline's native program?

In general, I'm quite confused about to which degree (if any) partner airlines miles are intercheangable. Do I have to consolidate all my miles in only one program? In that case, can I still fly with a partner? If an airline has a good promotion, like the triple miles from US right now, is it possible to get those additional miles into MP? (I would guess the answer is no).

Thanks in advance